As Vietnam is officially opening its borders for tourists from March 15th, Saigon Hotpot undergoes leadership changes to prepare for a new generation to take over.
It is official: Starting from March 15, 2022, Vietnam is officially re-open for tourism activities in the new normalcy. Foreigners can arrive in the country by air, sea, or land. Here is what you need to know to prepare for your travel:
Where You Can Go: Anywhere in Vietnam. Before March 15, you can only arrive in certain municipalities that receive approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Before Arrival: You need to get a negative COVID-Test (rapid test or RT-PCR/RT-LAMP) and proof of vaccination with the second dose taken 14 days or more before your arrival date. Else, you are required to present proof that you have gotten COVID-19 and are treated no longer than 6 months before your arrival.
After Arrival: Visitors also would be required to quarantine for the first day of their trip and get tested with a rapid test. They should also download the current app for health management in the country.
Insurance: Tourists should carry travel medical coverage for up to $10,000.
For those who have medical exemptions or have not been vaccinated yet: You can have someone accompany you with the condition that the person has to be fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test.
Asides from this, the government also agreed to restore visa exemptions for citizens from 13 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and North Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Danish, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. These are the countries originally exempted from visa applications since the end of 2019.
Since the end of November 2021, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has made every effort to attract international tourists back to Vietnam. VNAT launched a media campaign called “Live fully in Vietnam” that received high praises and skyrocketed search volume after three months of implementation.
According to VNAT’s website, “in 2022, Vietnam’s tourism industry set the goal to welcome 65 million visitor arrivals, including 5 million international visitor arrivals; the total tourism receipts will reach about 400 trillion VND. VNAT will closely coordinate with localities and businesses to step up promotion activities, ready to welcome the wave of tourism returning this year.”
Regarding the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam, according to official reports, as of March 31st, 206 million vaccine doses have been given in the country, with 224.848 doses on March 29th alone. On the morning of March 31st, COVID-19 cases recorded in Vietnam were 92.344 in 62 municipalities. On the same day, the Ministry of Health declared 250.484 people to be free of COVID-19 and 39 cases of death.
While the number of cases is increasing, the rate of infection is declining within major areas of the country. Governments of municipalities are still on high alert and many COVID-19 prevention methods are still enforced in the community including the 5K rules (wear a mask, keep distance, sanitize public areas…). Tourists coming to Vietnam can rest assured that while activities are taking place, safety measures are carried out to protect the population.
A pamphlet featuring 5K: Khau trang (facemask)- (Khu khuan) disinfection- (Khoang cach) distance- (Khong tu tap) no gathering – (Khai bao y te) (Source: Nord Anglia Education)
Saigon Hotpot, a nonprofit organization that partners with university students to organize free walking tours for foreigners, is extremely excited about the news. During the first week of March, the organization welcomed its new Board of Directors as the new generation took up the mantle to continue the mission of promoting Vietnamese culture through authentic experience. We have different packages of services that can be tailored to your needs.
Are you ready to explore the beauty of Saigon with us?
Written by: Liên Lê
Image Source: Google + SGHP + Liên Lê
