UPDATED: March 13, 2020

In response to a spate of new cases of COVID-19, Vietnam is stepping up its measures to stop the virus from entering and spreading within the country. 

Vietnam is still welcoming international tourists who have not visited outbreak areas within the past 14 days; however, all travellers are advised to monitor their health closely and take precautions before coming to Vietnam. Once in the country, you will need to follow the instructions and regulations of the Vietnamese government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To help prepare you for what you can expect in Vietnam at this time, below is an outline of new policies related to travel, as well as the health precautions Vietnam is requiring of all inbound visitors. 

Health checks on arrival

All travellers entering Vietnam need to submit mandatory health declarations on arrival. This form can be filled out electronically at airports and border crossings, or submitted online on the day of entry into Vietnam. Travellers are legally responsible to ensure the information is true and accurate.

Online medical declarations can be filed here.

Those with symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and those whose travel history contains epidemiological risks are required to undertake medical examinations, and may be placed in 14-day quarantine before being allowed to enter Vietnam. All foreign travellers will need to comply with official health procedures when in Vietnam.

Quarantine regulations in Vietnam

In order to minimise the risk of contagion, Vietnam is isolating individuals who have come into close contact with others carrying the COVID-19 disease. If you have any contact -- such as the sharing of flights, vehicles, or hotels -- with others who have tested positive for COVID-19 while in Vietnam, you can expect to be tested for the virus and placed in 14-day quarantine.

Vietnam observes several levels of quarantine: 

1. Self-quarantine in homes or hotels with regular check-ups by local health authorities, 
2. Quarantine in health establishments for those showing symptoms of the virus, as well as those who have tested positive for COVID-10 and those in close contact with them, 
3. Quarantine in non-medical establishments for those returning from high-risk areas, and
4. Closed-off communities for areas with high numbers of confirmed infections.

Postponed & Cancelled of Events

A number of festivals and events in Vietnam have been cancelled or postponed in alignment with the government’s directive to avoid public gatherings. 

Organizers have announced that several tourism and sporting events will be postponed or cancelled:

• Huế Festival 2020 - Postponed to August 28, 2020
• Da Lat Sufferfest - Postponed 
• Quang Binh Marathon - Postponed 
• Techcombank Ha Noi Marathon - Postponed 
• Sunrise Sprint - Postponed to May 3, 2020
• Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2020 - Cancelled
• Da Lat Ultra Trail 2020 - Postponed to June 19-21, 2020

Pedestrian and walking zones in Hue and Hanoi — common gathering places for locals and tourists — will be closed until the situation improves. Tourism sites across the country are also setting aside closure days to disinfect their premises. 

NOTE: From now to March 26, Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba, Bai Tu Long Bay, and tourism sites in Ninh Binh will not be receiving guests. The Hoi An Ancient Town is not selling tickets to visitors, and has suspended its pedestrian and cycling street hours until the end of March 2020.

Temporary closure of tourism sites

Within the country, Vietnamese health officials have temporarily isolated several locations that are deemed high-risk, or those that have been recently visited by travellers with confirmed cases of the virus. Tourism sites across the country are also setting aside closure days to disinfect their premises.

Until March 26, Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Cat Ba Island, and tourism sites in Ninh Binh including the Trang An Eco-tourism Complex will not be receiving any new visitors. The Hoi An Ancient Town has suspended sales of tickets to the UNESCO Heritage Site, as well as its pedestrian-only hours in the Old Town until the end of March 2020. Other destinations such as Ly Son Island, Cham Islands, and Con Dao are also not receiving tourists at this time. 

Several areas in Sapa and Hanoi have been zoned off and blockaded, and a number of cruise ships in Ha Long and Hai Phong were recalled and disinfected -- both after it was confirmed that they were visited by travellers with COVID-19. 

'NOTE: Please note that many hotels in Vietnam are now requesting guests to undergo temperature checks at reception. Guests with temperatures of 37 degrees and below should have no trouble checking in. '

List of Tourist Attractions in Vietnam which are temporarily closed for quarantine or disinfection due to COVID-19

List of hotels and Accommodations in Vietnam which are temporarily closed for quarantine or disinfection due to COVID-19. 

Visa exemptions and temporary bans

Vietnam is currently suspending unilateral visa exemptions for citizens of 10 countries: South Korea, Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, France and Denmark. Travellers from these countries will need to secure a visa for Vietnam -- through Vietnamese embassies, employers or a travel agency -- before arriving in the country. 

Vietnam has also indicated visa exemptions will be suspended for nations reporting 500 cases or more of COVID-19, or those with more than 50 new cases per day. 

At this time, Vietnam is refusing entry to all travellers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk, or those who have transited through these areas within the past 14 days.

Vietnam is currently suspending unilateral visa exemptions for citizens of 10 countries: South Korea, Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, France and Denmark. Travellers from these countries will need to secure a visa for Vietnam -- through Vietnamese embassies, employers or a travel agency -- before arriving in the country. 

Vietnam has also indicated visa exemptions will be suspended for nations reporting 500 cases or more of COVID-19, or those with more than 50 new cases per day. 

At this time, Vietnam is refusing entry to all travellers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk, or those who have transited through these areas within the past 14 days.

Screening centres and health hotlines

Travellers with symptoms of COVID-19 or those concerned they may have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus should call Vietnam’s health hotline: 1900 3228

Vietnam has appointed 30 screening centres nationwide to carry out testing and diagnosis of COVID-19 disease, as well as 45 quick response teams to assist health facilities in the processing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. For the full list of screening centres, please see this link.

 For a full overview of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam as it relates to travellers, as well as daily updates, please see our travel advisory here.

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