The private economic development research board proposes to remove the requirement that international visitors to Vietnam must have a negative test because of hindering the opening of tourism.
Proposal of the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV), under the Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, sent to the Prime Minister on May 6. This board also suggested that the Ministry of Health only require rapid testing at the border gate for those entering the country with symptoms such as cough and fever.
The regulation that visitors to Vietnam must have insurance "covers content for the treatment of Covid-19" is also proposed to be removed. Currently, visitors entering Vietnam must have health insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment, the minimum amount is 10,000 USD.
The above proposals come from the health regulations for international visitors "not keeping up with the situation, not being favorable and not proving clear anti-epidemic value". Domestic tourists traveling from one place to another were not required to undergo medical testing and declaration. Therefore, according to Board IV, if there is no change, international visitors will choose to go to another country with more favorable regulations than Vietnam.
Visitors from Ukraine do immigration procedures at Noi Bai international airport on March 8, 2022. Photo: Giang Huy
Ban IV said that the visa policy has not been operated as before the Covid-19 pandemic. The preferential policy on visa exemption "has not yet met the post-pandemic tourism trends, and has not yet completed with other countries in the region". Visitors to Vietnam still have to do many complicated procedures and papers. Electronic visa (e-visa) does not have a mechanism to confirm the date of automatic response on the website; it does not explain why the application was refused, making it difficult for visitors to enter.
Therefore, Board IV proposed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Security to study the plan to improve the visa policy and e-visa. Specifically, Vietnam should expand the visa exemption list to potential markets such as the US, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands; increase the visa-free period for markets as far away as Europe (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Northern Europe) from 15 days to 30 days. Vietnam should apply multiple entry and exit visas and are valid for more days; reduce paperwork and procedures with travel agencies or tourists; Simple e-visa and visa on arrival.
Board IV proposed the Prime Minister to set up a special working group, including many components such as representatives of the public and private sectors; online management based on actual data, regularly updating the situation to make timely decisions. The working group will support the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in proposing to improve regulations on opening up international tourism more openly and conveniently.
Vietnam started to open up to international tourism from March 15. Since the beginning of the year, the whole country has welcomed more than 22,300 international visitors; March welcomes 15,000 visitors.
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, people entering Vietnam by air need to test negative for nCoV by PCR within 72 hours; if it is a quick test within 24 hours.
People entering by land, waterway or railway shall apply similar regulations. In case there is no test, in the first 24 hours from the time of entry, from the border gate to the place of residence (hotel, private house...) it is necessary to limit stopping and contacting with other people. After having a negative test result, they are free to travel. Children under 2 years old are not required to be tested and are accompanied by parents, relatives...
In early March 2022, the Tourism Advisory Council proposed that the Government remove the requirement to test visitors before and after. However, the Ministry of Health has just removed the regulation to stop making medical declarations for people entering the country from April 27.
