Like most countries around the world, Vietnam has to close its borders last year in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In line with this, the authorities have also suspended all international flights and ban the entry of all foreign visitors.
Now that things are slowly getting better, the Vietnam immigration has lifted the travel ban imposed on some foreign visitors. But in order to prevent another wave of the pandemic, they will only allow business people and skilled workers to enter. These are visitors who have essential reasons to visit the country, especially in helping to revive its economy. Aside from business people and skilled workers, Vietnam’s government has also allowed the entry of diplomats and students.
But before you can enter Vietnam in this Covid-19 season, there are many requirements that you need to acquire. Foreign employees and business people must ensure that they have a sponsor company that will obtain the entry permit on their behalf. Since the e-visa and visa arrival options have been suspended, the only way foreign visitors can enter at the moment is to apply for a visa through a Vietnam embassy or consulate.
The sponsor company will be responsible for processing the foreign visitor’s entry permit and submitting other necessary requirements. Below are the steps that sponsor companies should undertake to facilitate the entry of business people and foreign workers:
In order to ensure that the Covid-19 virus will not spread into the country, the Vietnamese authorities have required all arriving passengers to quarantine for 14 days upon entry into the country. Thus, one of the requirements that all foreign business people and skilled workers must fulfill is to book a designated quarantine facility for the entire 14-day period of isolation. Depending on which city you intend to arrive in, there are several hotels that the government of Vietnam has designated as quarantine facilities. You can choose from 3-star or 4-star hotels, depending on your budget. Some sponsor companies will offer to pay for the quarantine hotel facility. If not, it will be the foreign visitor who must shoulder the cost of quarantine.
The voucher showing the confirmed hotel booking must be presented upon boarding the flight. It should also come with a pre-booked vehicle that will pick up the foreign visitor from the airport and bring to the hotel. That’s because foreign visitors are not allowed to take any form of public transportation before their quarantine.
Another important requirement that foreign business people and skilled workers are required to submit when flying into Vietnam is the negative result of the Covid-19 PCR test. The test must be administered by a testing facility that’s authorized by the World Health Organization. It should be taken at least 3 to 5 days prior to departure to Vietnam. The negative result of the COvid-19 test must be presented at the airport upon check-in. Without this document, the airline can refuse the passenger from boarding the flight to Vietnam.
While undergoing a 14-day quarantine in Vietnam, the foreign visitor will be asked to undergo the Covid-19 test twice. Only if both results are negative will the visitor be allowed to end quarantine and explore Vietnam freely.
Another important requirement that all foreign visitors to Vietnam are required to submit when visiting this Covid-19 season is insurance. The insurance must cover the cost of treatment for Covid-19 in case the foreign visitor will get sick while in Vietnam. If the foreign visitor does not have insurance, the sponsor company must agree to shoulder the cost of treatment in the event that the foreign visitor will get sick.
Traveling to Vietnam these days can get really complicated. Before you plan your trip, it’s important to find out ahead if you are eligible. Again, tourists are still not allowed to enter Vietnam. You can only enter if your visit is essential, such as doing business or working for a Vietnamese company. If you are eligible but don’t have a sponsor company, you can get in touch with a local agency in Vietnam.