The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control discusses preparations for the implementation of vaccine passports. (Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam)

A “vaccine passport” would certify that a person has had two COVID-19 vaccine shots. According to the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and international medical quarantine regulations, vaccine passport holders are exempt from COVID-19 test and quarantines. But some countries might still require tests.

Authorities have emphasized the “safety first” principle. A vaccine passport requires countries to coordinate their policies. The Steering Committee, Ministries of Information and Communications, Foreign Affairs, Health, Public Security, and Defense, and internet providers have discussed ways to synchronize personal vaccination information and compulsory health declarations. The Ministry of Health has said it will issue QR codes for vaccinated people and the information will be included in their personal medical document.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said, “Vietnam will manage vaccine passports through personal medical and residential documents. This will allow people to be vaccinated and then travel during a pandemic. The technical infrastructure will be in place by April to allow overseas Vietnamese to return using a vaccine passport.”

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long says the Ministry has worked with foreign health agencies to create vaccine passports.

“We have piloted the “vaccine passport” program at COVID-19 vaccination sites. On April 1 we’ll start synchronizing COVID-19 vaccinations with ID cards,” said Mr. Long. 

Vietnam has continued to use the Astra Zeneca vaccine and is negotiating to buy vaccines from other companies. Research to find a home-grown vaccine has been accelerated. Vietnam is working with other countries to create vaccine passports that use a QR code.