Vietnam: Authorities to resume selected domestic flights from Oct. 10 /update 38

Event

Authorities in Vietnam will allow 10 domestic flight routes to resume from Oct. 10. Flights can only commence with the agreement of the local government. Around 14 localities including Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang have agreed to resume domestic flights while Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Gia Lai want to delay the resumption. Passengers must be fully vaccinated or present an official document certifying that they have recently recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months. Arrivals from red zones must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result taken within 72 hours before departure. Travelers from southern localities like Ho Chi Minh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long Nai must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result taken within 72 hours before departure, monitor their health at a place of residence for seven days, and take COVID-19 tests on days 1 and 7 after arrival.

Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Pacific Airlines have announced plans to resume service on certain domestic routes. Vietnam and Pacific Airlines will resume flights on seven domestic routes, with daily round flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa, Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa, Quy Nhon, and Phu. Vietnam Airlines is resuming weekly round flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Hue. Vietjet Air will operate weekly return flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Thanh Hoa, and Tuy Hoa.

Domestic Restrictions

Officials continue to enforce COVID-19 restrictions nationwide as of Oct. 8. Restrictions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are as follows:

Hanoi: Authorities have lifted zoning measures and are implementing eased restrictions under Directive 15. Officials have lifted internal checkpoints and permit requirements to travel within Hanoi. Public gatherings are limited to 10 people. Offices and government agencies may resume on-site operations at up to 50 percent capacity. Some nonessential businesses like hairdressers and shopping malls may resume operations. However, authorities advise residents to leave their homes only for essential reasons like purchasing groceries and visiting a doctor. Entry and exit rules remain in effect with 23 checkpoints around the city's borders; individuals traveling from areas under social distancing orders must obtain approval to enter Hanoi. Public transport remains suspended.

Ho Chi Minh: Eased COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Residents who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose within 14 days or recovered from COVID-19 within six months can leave their homes and be outside. Authorities have lifted inner-city checkpoints but will continue to deploy security personnel to patrol the city. Entry and exit controls in Ho Chi Minh remain in place; travelers must submit a request to the Transport Department to enter. Most businesses like malls, food establishments for takeaways, financial and legal institutions, hospitality facilities, and offices may open, among others. Ho Chi Minh's construction projects, and production facilities in industrial parks, export processing zones, and high-tech parks in 21 districts, as well as Thu Duc City and Quang Trung Software Park, may also resume operations. Buses, taxis, and ride-hailing cars may resume operations. Ho Chi Minh also allows companies to transport staff between other neighboring provinces like Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, and Tay Ninh; workers must be fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 and have a negative COVID-19 test result.

Da Nang: Eased COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Markets, hotels, outdoor sports, and public transport may resume. Training courses and religious services may take place with at most 20 and 30 people respectively. Interprovincial but services and entertainment venues like bars and casinos remain suspended. Stricter regulations are in place in red zones.

Officials continue to classify areas as one of three zones - green, yellow, or red - in order of increasing transmission risk in most other provinces like Ba-Ria Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Hai Duong, Khanh Hoa, Long An, and Tra Vinh. Authorities generally implement strict Directive 16 measures in orange and red zones which may include curfew measures and exit and entry rules; and Directive 15 measures in yellow or green zones. Eased restrictions and movement controls are usually in place in designated green zones with low COVID-19 activity; more businesses may also reopen in such areas. Authorities may further ease measures if COVID-19 activity decreases.

Authorities may require individuals who have contacted known COVID-19 cases to quarantine in centralized facilities for 14 days. A negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test result may be required for interprovincial travel. Long-distance domestic travelers must complete health declaration forms before departure. Facemasks are mandatory in public; violators may face fines of up to VND 300,000. Authorities allow up to two flights between Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) daily. Domestic travelers must provide negative COVID-19 test results.

Travel Restrictions
Most foreigners remain banned from entering Vietnam. Exceptions exist for foreign experts, investors, managers, skilled workers, and resident diplomats, among others. Most passengers must quarantine at centralized facilities for 14 days upon arrival and undergo two COVID-19 tests. Fully vaccinated arrivals may undergo a shorter seven-day quarantine period; however, they must test negative for the virus 72 hours before arrival and monitor their health for another seven days after the initial centralized quarantine. Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 and have a certificate proving that they have recovered from the virus within six months may also have their quarantine period reduced to seven days. Inbound travelers must obtain a health certificate within 36 hours of departing for Vietnam and provide evidence that they received the last vaccine dose between two weeks and one year before the trip. It is unclear if the policy covers returning citizens. Officials may adjust the policy in the coming days and weeks, depending on the local and international COVID-19 situation. Authorities allow international flights to six international destinations, including Guangzhou, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, and Vientiane.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Confirm all travel arrangements within Vietnam. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)