As the Vietnamese government is making efforts to revive foreign trade in the post-Covid-19 era, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung has stated that the entry procedures of foreign experts into Vietnam would be completed in one day provided that necessary documents are submitted. 

Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung speaks at the dialogue between Vietnamese government and the European business community on June 30. Photo: Viet Tuan

A number of foreign experts, skilled laborers, business executives, investors, and their relatives have been allowed to enter Vietnam, Minister Dung said. However, they must undergo a 14-day isolation period at home, hotels or office as regulated.

Regarding the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Minister Dung said the government is open to any specific proposals to facilitate trade reconnection and the resumption of supply – demand activities, especially proposals from the European business community in Vietnam.

Nguyen Hai Minh, vice president of EuroCham Vietnam, said that procedures for the entry of experts and investors into Vietnam have been conducted inconsistently in localities. 

Vietnam has banned foreign entry and stopped issuing visas in March. Specific cases include entry for diplomatic and official purposes, experts, business executives and highly qualified workers and those cases specified by the National Steering Committee for the Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

The country has not granted permission for inbound flights, except for specific cases, according to an announcement by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), from June 16 to September 16.