08 Sep 2021 | 11:12 AM UTC
Vietnam: Officials continue to enforce COVID-19 measures, especially in southern areas, as of Sept. 8 /update 36
Vietnam continuing to enforce COVID-19 restrictions, especially in southern areas, as of Aug. 31. Varying domestic rules in place.
Event
Officials are continuing to enforce enhanced COVID-19 restrictions, especially in southern areas, as of Sept. 8.
Authorities have imposed lockdown measures in Hanoi through 06:00 Sept. 21, categorizing districts into Zone 1, 2, and 3 in decreasing order of COVID-19 transmission risk with varying COVID-19 curbs. The strictest social distancing measures under Directive 16 are in place in Zone 1 localities including Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Ha Dong, Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hoang Mai, Tay Ho, Thanh Tri, and Thanh Xuan, and parts of Bac Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Nam Tu Liem, Thanh Oai, and Thuong Tin.
Lockdown measures remain in place in Ho Chi Minh City through Sept. 15. The government has also extended enhanced social distancing measures under Directive 16 in Ben Tre, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh through Sept. 10-15; Ninh Kieu's Can Tho city through Sept. 18, as well as several cities and districts in Kien Giang and Long An through Sept. 13. All nonessential businesses must close. Residents must stay at home unless seeking medical treatment or purchasing essential goods at designated locations. An overnight 18:00-06:00 curfew remains in place. Residents must keep a distance of 2 meters (6.5 ft) in public. Public gatherings of more than two people remain banned except in government offices, hospitals, and essential businesses. Public transport services are suspended. Authorities may expand or extend measures if COVID-19 cases increase. Authorities may expand and extend measures in the coming days if COVID-19 activity escalates.
Other nationwide restrictions remain. Authorities require individuals who have contacted known COVID-19 cases to quarantine in centralized facilities for 21 days. 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.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has advised domestic airlines to stop selling tickets for domestic flights until further notice. The CAAV especially asked airlines to minimize flights from high-risk areas to Hanoi. 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. Fully vaccinated passengers 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 have their quarantine period reduced. 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.
Inbound commercial flights remain suspended until further notice. Charter flights may operate on a case-by-case basis to transport Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals permitted to enter the country. Officials require such arrivals to test negative for COVID-19 within five days before the travel date.
Officials have banned the entry of people with travel history within the past 21 days to Cambodia, India, Laos, and Thailand due to COVID-19 concerns. Exceptions are in place for people who are transporting goods into Vietnam. It is unclear whether there are other exemptions, including for returning citizens; the Vietnamese embassy in Laos has reportedly encouraged Vietnamese nationals there to refrain from returning to the country.
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.
