Nguyen Manh Quan, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways (photo: Nhịp sống kinh tế)

Airlines and tourism companies are excited at the reopening prospect. Nguyen Manh Quan, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways, said: “The Vietnamese government has been clear about its intention to fully reopen tourism. Local businesses and foreign partners have received the message and are eager to move forward.”   

At a recent conference on safely reopening international tourism, ambassadors, heads of Vietnam’s overseas representative offices, heads of localities, and representatives of tourism companies, hotels, and restaurants discussed ways to reopen tourism effectively.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addresses a conference on safely reopening international tourism. (photo: dangcongsan.vn)

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said reopening tourism does not mean tourists will be coming immediately. It will be a gradual process, and it will be necessary to keep pandemic control measures in place to ensure safety of the tourists.

“We are reopening tourism but also trying to return international travel and trade to where they were before the pandemic. We need control measures to manage health risks and keep everyone safe. Our policy is not to distinguish between Vietnamese and foreigners in pandemic prevention and control,” said Mr. Dam.

Vietnam has simplified visa regulations and improved travel connections, tourism services, and infrastructure. Entry visas are now waived for foreign nationals from 13 nations. More domestic and international flights have been opened. And localities have launched new tourism promotion programs. 

Foreigners entering Vietnam are no longer subject to automatic quarantine. They only need to show a negative result from a recent SARS-CoV2 quick test or PCR test, fill out a health declaration form, or install a PC-COVID app on their smartphone.