Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes the government resume the bilateral and unilateral visa exemption policy to serve the comprehensive reopening of tourism which is scheduled from March 15.

Foreign visitors to Vietnam's Khanh Hoa, home to world-class Nha Trang beaches. Photo: VNA

The proposal, which is in accordance with the Immigration Law, is pending the Prime Minister’s consideration, MoFA Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said today [March 3].

The move is aimed to contribute to the economic recovery and facilitate trade between Vietnam and other countries and territories, Hang said at a press conference.

MoFA proposed visa exemption for foreigners in Vietnam in accordance with the Immigration Law (amended in 2019); document guiding the removal of post-entry quarantine; reinstatement of the bilateral visa exemption policy according to international treaties or on the principle of reciprocity; and restoration of the unilateral visa exemption policy with 13 countries.

Foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives with valid entry papers may enter Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese citizens can return home freely on regular international commercial flights.

Passengers, in order to be allowed entry in Vietnam, must test negative for SARS-CoV-2 within 72 hours before departure, bear a certificate of full vaccination, or certificate of disease recovery.

Visitors entering by land, sea or rail are tested at the border gate. Covid-free people are allowed to participate in tourism activities upon the arrival.

After adopting a zero-Covid approach in the early days of the pandemic with locked borders and test-and-trace quarantine, Vietnam slowly began to lift border restrictions in September 2021 as vaccination rates started to climb.

Vietnam is welcoming the world back in phases. It removed Covid-19 restrictions on international passenger flights, restore the frequency of both inbound and outbound services to pre-pandemic levels. From March 15, the country will fully reopen to international visitors. 

To facilitate international travelers, the country has recognized vaccine passports from around 80 countries while 15 nations have recognized Vietnam’s vaccination certificate, including Australia, Belarus, Cambodia, Egypt, Maldives, New Zealand, Japan, India, Palestine, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the Philippines, the UK, and the US.