COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Vietnam (19 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• All foreign nationals are banned from entering Vietnam, including people with a Vietnamese visa exemption certificate. Only foreigners on diplomatic or official business, highly skilled workers, and other special cases are allowed to enter the country at this time.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• No

• Transit through Vietnam is not allowed at this time.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• A COVID-19 PCR test is required on arrival immediately after entry to quarantined provinces. The rule may vary across the provinces.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates from a competent health authority of another country are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All travellers who are permitted to enter Vietnam must have a certificate for a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test performed within 3 to 5 days prior to arrival.

• Travellers entering Vietnam through Quang Ninh province will be subject to relaxed quarantine requirements if they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19, and tested negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. Travellers will need to also have a certificate for a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test performed within 3 to 5 days prior to arrival.

• Vaccinated travellers must present documentary proof of being fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved by either the WHO, the U.S. CDC, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or Vietnam. The final vaccine dose must have been received between 14 days and 12 months prior to the date of entry in Vietnam.

• Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 must provide documentary proof of recovery by an entity qualified to do so from the country where the arriving traveller was treated. The discharge date must be within the 12 months prior to the date of entry.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Arriving foreign travellers and individuals categorized as direct contacts (F1 cases) are required to enter a 14-day institutional quarantine followed by another 14 days of self-health monitoring or medical surveillance at their place of residence. Business travellers entering Vietnam for trips of less than 14 days are exempted from the above-mentioned quarantine policy.

• Travellers testing positive for COVID-19 will be hospitalized. The duration of hospitalization will be shortened in the case of asymptomatic patients who test positive for COVID-19.

• Foreign travellers entering Vietnam through Quang Ninh province are subject to relaxed quarantine requirements if they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. Travellers fulfilling the entry requirements are required to enter a (7) seven-day centralized quarantine period on arrival instead of 21 days. This will be followed by another (7) seven days in self-isolation.

• Travellers subject to concentrated medical isolation for 7 days followed by medical isolation at home for 7 days will need to continue to self-monitor their health for the next 14 days.

• Other arrivals will enter a 14-day centralized quarantine, followed by a 14-day health observation period. Travellers entering Vietnam through Quang Ninh province for trips lasting less than 14 days are not eligible for the shortened quarantine.

• The vaccines must be approved by either the WHO, the U.S. CDC, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or Vietnam. The final vaccine dose must have been given between 14 days and 12 months prior to the date of entry in Vietnam.

• Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 must provide documentary proof of recovery from an entity qualified to do so from the country where the arriving traveller was treated. The discharge date must be within the 12 months prior to the date of entry.

• Travellers must medically declare themselves, stating in which hotels or places they would stay, within 36 hours prior to entry. Travellers must also obtain a negative result on a COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours before departure from Vietnam.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers must be prepared to enter quarantine for a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 21 days, on arrival in Vietnam.

Insurance required?

• No with exceptions

• Passengers who have been approved for entry must have international medical insurance or a guarantee that the hosting company will pay if there are COVID-19 treatment costs.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required to enter the country.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers entering the country must complete an online health declaration form stating which hotels or places they would stay in within 36 hours prior to entry.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Authorities have recommended downloading the Bluezone Contact Detection Application.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Airports are open and operating limited flights.

• Domestic flights are operating. Hanoi’s health officials have started conducting random COVID-19 testing of travellers from Ho Chi Minh City arriving at Noi Bai Airport.

• Several domestic flights to and from high-risk southern provinces and cities have been suspended/ limited from 19 July to 1 August. Passengers will be required to present a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test certificate to board domestic flights.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• The borders with China, Cambodia, and Laos are closed except for the import and export of goods.

• Foreigners who have entered the country since 1 March 2020 can stay in Vietnam until 31 July 2021.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• Due to COVID-19 local transmission, multiple regions of Vietnam have been placed under lockdown.

• Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City have extended COVID-19 restrictions in the area until further notice. Additional pre-emptive measures may be applied by different localities in Vietnam with little prior notice.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Authorities have imposed strict social distancing restrictions in various provinces. However, measures may vary across provinces and also may change with short notice.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• All intercity travellers must complete a health declaration form. Individuals with recent travel history to areas under lockdown where strict social distancing measures are currently in place may be subject to mandatory quarantine and COVID-19 testing when entering other provinces.

• Inter-provincial transportation is operating except in high-risk areas. Checkpoints remain at borders between cities and provinces. Police will conduct temperature checks and inspect vehicles.

• Public transport, including taxis and coaches, are permitted to operate for limited schedules.

• Additional stringent restrictions may apply for travel to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Travellers from Ho Chi Minh City will be required to undergo self-quarantine at home for 7 days and conduct mandatory testing on day 1, day 3, and day 6.

• Working travellers entering Dong Nai from HCMC or Binh Duong need to present a COVID-19 negative certificate for a test performed within 7 days prior to entry.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Most businesses are open, but closures may vary among provinces.

• Non-essential businesses and personal care services may be suspended in regions with a high incidence rate of COVID-19.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open, but closures may vary among provinces.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are open for dine-in services in most provinces.

• Non-essential businesses such as restaurants, may be closed in regions with a high incidence rate of COVID-19 such as Hanoi.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• All bars, nightclubs, and karaoke parlours in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi remain closed.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes with exceptions

• With the exception of areas in COVID-19 high-risk zones, tourist attractions are currently open but must ensure safety measures are in place for all visitors.

*Personal care services open? *

• No with exceptions

• Non-essential businesses and personal care services may be closed in regions with a high incidence rate of COVID-19.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Certain events and sports activities are allowed, but participants are required to wear masks and follow health guidelines. Events may be suspended in regions with a high incidence rate of COVID-19.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• The use of face masks is required and social distancing is highly recommended. Some buildings, businesses, or venues may refuse entry to anyone not wearing a mask.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.