(TITC) - On 17th February, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) issued a document on guiding the pilot to welcome international tourists in the phase 2 until 14th March 2022.
Accordingly, the scope to welcome international tourists includes via regular international charter or commercial flights. Basing on local needs and safety conditions for COVID-19 prevention and control, localities will proactively decide to welcome international tourists and report to the MOCST.
Foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese citizens may participate in the pilot plan to welcome international tourists when they meet the following requirements: (1) Joining a tour itinerary of an international travel service business. (2) Having a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 recognised by a competent authority in Vietnam, the last dose given within at least 14 days and no more than 12 months upon entry.
Or having a certificate of full recovery from COVID-19 or equivalent documents certifying that they have recovered from the disease, issued by a competent authority in the country/territory where they received the treatment and recognised by Vietnam. From the discharged time to the time upon entry should not be more than 06 months. (3) For tourists under 18 or from above 65 years old, pregnant women, or tourists having underlying health conditions (but not being monitored and treated at medical facilities), who have not been vaccinated or have not received enough doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 are allowed to accompany their parents, legal guardians, or caregivers who have received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccine or have recovered from COVID-19; strictly comply with the requirements on testing and regulations on prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic as prescribed. (4) Receiving a negative test result with SARS-COV-2 (by RT PCR/RT-LAMP method) within 72 hours prior to the entry and certified by the competent authority of the country where the test is performed (except for children under 2 years of age). (5) Having medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of USD$20,000. (6) The foreigners who enter, exit, transit and/or reside in Vietnam must abide by Vietnamese laws.
Regarding the examination and approval of personnel, visa issuance, temporary residence certificate: international travel service business shall carry out procedures for inviting and guaranteeing foreigners to enter at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) in accordance with the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam. Before carrying out procedures, an enterprise having the legal person status prescribed by Vietnamese law attached with the documents of the MOCST about choosing to participate in the pilot plan; together with a contract to foster a tour itinerary in the permitted area with a service provider eligible to welcome international tourists (within 3 days to the first 7 days as required for each specific type of tourist below). Conditions on COVID-19 prevention and control comply with regulations of the Ministry of Health.
Valid visa will be suited with the tour itinerary, in case tourists wish to extend their stays in the local areas that are allowed to welcome international tourists, the extension will be under the guarantee of the enterprise.
For those who wish to extend the stay for business investment or visit relatives will be granted visa conversion in accordance with the provisions of the Law on entry, exit, transit and/or residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
During the participation of tour itinerary in Vietnam:
(1) Tourists who have received full dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccine and/or have fully recovered from COVID-19:
- Joining on a tour itinerary, operated by a travel enterprise with the duration of at least 3 days from upon entry.
- Tourists are asked for self-monitor their health during the first 03 days after entry, if having a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, muscle or body aches - fatigue - chills, new loss of taste or smell, or tested positive for COVID-19 or have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, be sure to tell the enterprise.
- Taking RT - PCR test on the third day of stay after entry. If the RT - PCR test result returns positive, following strictly to the regulations of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The cost of treatment is covered by insurance or tour operators. If the RT - PCR test result for SARS-COV-2 returns negative, the entrant shall do a follow-up medical self-observation for 14 days since the date of entry.
- After receiving the negative RT - PCR test result for COVID-19 on the third day, tourists shall continue the following operations:
(a) Continue to participate in the tour itinerary according to the registered travel programme (in case the itinerary is longer than 03 days)
(b) Join tourism packages and use services in the localities allowed to welcome international tourists.
(c) Come to the localities according to the place of residence, visit the registered relatives. Tourists must have a written registration with the travel enterprise to notify the local authorities of the destination to coordinate health monitoring and observing according to regulations.
- Tourists can leave the country on regular international commercial or licensed charter flights.
(2) For tourists (accompanying with parents or caregivers) who have not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated:
- Participate in the tour itinerary by travel enterprise within duration of 7 days after entry.
- Tourists are asked for self-monitor their health during the first 07 days after entry, if having a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, muscle or body aches - fatigue - chills, new loss of taste or smell, or tested positive for COVID-19 or have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, be sure to tell the enterprise.
- Take 2 RT-PCR tests on the third day and the seventh day of stay after entry. If the RT - PCR test result returns positive, following strictly to the regulations of the MOH. The cost of treatment is covered by insurance or travel enterprise. If the RT - PCR test result for SARS-COV-2 returns negative, the entrants shall do a follow-up medical self-observation for 14 days since the date of entry.
- Parents or caregivers/guardians behaving be fully vaccinated or having recovered from COVID-19 and accompany entrants who have not been vaccinated or not enough vaccinated must do a follow-up medical test and regulations on prevention and control COVID-19 pandemic as tourists who have not vaccinated or not enough vaccinated.
- After receiving the negative RT - PCR test result for COVID-19 on the seventh day, tourists shall continue the following operations:
(a) Continue to participate in the tour itinerary according to the registered travel programme (in case the itinerary is longer than 07 days)
(b) Join tourism packages and use services in localities allowed to welcome international tourists.
(c) Come to the localities according to the place of residence, visit the registered relatives. Tourists must have a written registration with the travel enterprise to notify the local authorities of the destination to coordinate health monitoring and observing according to regulations.
- Tourists can leave the country on regular international commercial or licensed charter flights.
- Tourists who participate in tour itinerary within less than 7days, after finishing the tour, can return on regular international commercial or licensed charter flights, following guidelines and procedures published by the respective country.
In phase 2, ministries and sectors continue carrying out tasks related to the pilot to welcome international tourists in accordance with functions and tasks, ensuring pandemic prevention and control as well as creating favourable conditions for tourists.
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