Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chairs the meeting in Hanoi on February 15, 2022, to discuss restarting travel and tourism in the new normal. (Photo: VGP)

Representatives of several ministries met in Hanoi on Tuesday to discuss restarting travel and tourism in the new normal.

Vietnam’s pilot vaccine passport program, launched November last year, has welcomed in 9,000 foreign tourists in a safe manner while still ensuring a good impressions of Vietnam, according to the meeting.

The ministries said they will propose that the Government resume pre-pandemic visa policies, including unilateral visa exemption for eight countries and bilateral visa exemptions for 88 countries and territories. 

“The pandemic has remarkably troubled tourism and other sectors over the past 2 years. As we adapt to the new normal, ministries and sectors must hurry up and work closely with each other. The culture ministry will play a key role in the visa issue,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

According to the ministries’ proposal, all foreign tourists arriving in Vietnam will not need to book tour packages with designated travel agencies as per the ongoing vaccine passport trial program.

All tourists from age 12 must be fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. They will also need proof of a negative COVID-19 test before the flight into Vietnam, valid within 24 hours with rapid antigen tests and 72 hours with PCR tests.