Vietnam is getting ready to welcome tourists to Phu Quoc's resort island next month. The government revealed plans to open Hoi An, Halong Bay and other areas to some visitors in December before fully reopening in June next year.
Vietnam has begun a gradual approach to reopening its borders after it closed for more than a year following the pandemic. A pilot program will be launched in Phu Quoc next month that allows fully vaccinated travelers to travel to the country without quarantine. It is similar to Thailand's sandbox approach. The scheme allows only travelers from countries that Vietnam considers low-risk COVID-19 nations to visit Phu Quoc. This includes Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East and Northeast Asia.
Halong Bay is also being considered as a potential tourist destination Lena Serditova/Shutterstock
Visitors will not be allowed to travel beyond Phu Quoc at first. The pandemic is well-managed in this area. If the program proves successful, however, the government indicated on Thursday that it might roll out similar schemes in select destinations starting in December. These include Halong Bay, Hoi Ann, Nha Trang's beach resort, Dalat, and Halong Bay.
International tourists must be fully vaccinated. The second dose must be administered within 14 days of the entry date and no later than 12 months after that. Additionally, a negative result from a PCR testing taken less than 72 hours prior to flying is required.
Vietnam may also consider introducing vaccination passports or health cards to help facilitate safe reopening. Although details are not yet clear, officials hope that the system will be in place before the country opens its borders to tourists around the world in June 2019.
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The government stated via Reuters that they are only open when it is truly safe. "We are moving slowly, cautiously, but flexiblely to adapt to the real pandemic situations."
