After being closed completely to the outside world for the best part of two years, Vietnam decided to open up for tourism in November 2021, albeit a little tentatively. The reopening was to follow three phases, with select tourist areas the only destinations allowed in the first two phases, and a full opening in the third phase. As of today (March 3rd 2022), we stand between phases two and three of the opening plan, with a total of 8967 international tourists visiting the country so far. In Hoi An, which is part of Quang Nam province, one of the selected tourist destinations, it has seemed as quiet as the last two years. Barring a few tourist buses rolling through the streets, it has been a rather sedate affair. The problem so far has not been fear or lack of interest in the country, but the restrictions placed on the travel. Although certainly well meant, and important in a slow and steady reopening, very few western tourists are interested in only being able to go on package tours when they are on holiday.
Phase 3, however, is just around the corner, and seems to have been scheduled for 15th March 2022, with little to no restrictions. Tourists will need a vaccine passport with the latest shot being within six months of travel, or to have recovered from covid within the past six months, and insurance covering covid for at least $10,000 of liability. A negative pcr test will also need to have been procured, taken within 72 hours before landing in Vietnam. Once arrived, the tourist must head directly to their place of resident and take further covid tests, staying in the hotel for 24 hours until all come back negative. After that, all restrictions are gone and tourists are free to go where, and do, as they please, within reason of course. Of course, if any test is returned positive, medical isolation will be enforced, possibly within their hotel room. Compared to the previous two phases, though, these restrictions are a breeze, and more in line with the rest of the World. I certainly don’t see them being enough to deter most seasoned holiday makers.
As for visas, this doesn’t seem to have been worked out fully, but everything may just go back to the way it was, with certain countries not needing visas for stays less than 14 days and everyone else going through agents to get their tourist visas.
It’s difficult to tell right now how many tourists will decide to come to Vietnam in the first few months as many might be worried of changing rules or more covid lockdowns. But what is sure, is that opening the country and the hotels up for tourists with as few conditions as possible is a positive step in the right direction. Of course, the late announcement of the 15th March date has left hotels like us scrambling to fix almost two years of neglect before what we hope is the addition of welcome life back into our rooms.