Regulations for tourists entry to Vietnam

mikedylan2001 wrote:

Where can I find the official government regulations in English for tourists to enter the country? There is a lot of conflicting information regarding timing for the PCR tests insurance and other things. I would like to read it directly from the horses mouth if possible. As I'm flying from the UK 72 hours before departure or arrival and does it include the time difference 7 hours?

Contact the embassy or consulate of Vietnam in your country.

They likely also have website info for FAQs

Also, check out my recent post in this thread:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =4#5377180

Hi Mike dylan and Ocean Beach,  I too was looking for official regulations on exactly the same topics you have questions on. I could not find one. I called the Vietnamese Consulate in San Fransico and spoke to two different counsellors on two separate occasions. Regarding the timing of the PCR test and also the specific type of test VN requires for entry: one counselor said I should check with my airline. This was interesting because he hinting that what ever test the airline requires for boarding, will allow me into VN. I dont like the sound of that. This counselor gave me bad info as I called my airline and they refered me back to the VN consulate. The other counsellor mentioned either the RT-PCR (negative test 72 hrs prior to depature) or the Rapid PCR (negative 24 hour before departure) would be acceptable. This cousellor seemed to be correct in that he shared the same information I had from a number of different sources, i.e. airlines, CoVid testing facilities for International travel, numerous websites including the Vietnamese news. We also share a similar concern regarding our negative PCR test expiring while enroute to VN! I am going with the 72 hr RT-PCR test. In the USA, the RT-PCR test is expensive but it will give me more time to get to VN. The test center provides me with a QR code with the test results. For the life of me, I cannot see how a customs and immigrations agent in Saigon or Hanoi will be able to interpret the lab results from either a RT-PCR, PCR rapid test, RT-PCR LAMP test all printed out by different labs in our respected English speaking countries. Maybe the QR code auto traslates the results to Viet? I can barely decipher lab results in English!
I am flying the other way around the globe so I have an 12 hour time diffrence and cross the internationlal date line. I am concerned with my CoVid test not being valid on arrival. I am getting the RT-PCR (less than 72 hr prior to departure) test. I believe, on arrival in VN, the authorities will look at your CoVid test date and compare that to your scheduled airline departure date to insure your test is not only negative but falls within the 72 hour  window. I am not getting the 24 hour prior to departure rapid test. There are just too many flyiing days/hours involved.
Regarding, the Proof of CoVid insurance. The counsellor at the consulate clearly stated I do not need this. I know there are many websites stating need 10K, 20K $ Insurance coverage. I too, would like to see all of this in writing from the Consulate. I asked my insurance carrier here in USA to send a brief letter indicating CoVid insurance. I am not going to purchase a separate travel policy.
Finally, if for some reason my PCR test is not accepted on arrival in VN, wont they simply ask me to do a quick, radid test there at the airport?

schleger wrote:

Hi Mike dylan and Ocean Beach,  I too was looking for official regulations on exactly the same topics you have questions on. I could not find one. I called the Vietnamese Consulate in San Fransico and spoke to two different counsellors on two separate occasions. Regarding the timing of the PCR test and also the specific type of test VN requires for entry: one counselor said I should check with my airline. This was interesting because he hinting that what ever test the airline requires for boarding, will allow me into VN. I dont like the sound of that. This counselor gave me bad info as I called my airline and they refered me back to the VN consulate. The other counsellor mentioned either the RT-PCR (negative test 72 hrs prior to depature) or the Rapid PCR (negative 24 hour before departure) would be acceptable. This cousellor seemed to be correct in that he shared the same information I had from a number of different sources, i.e. airlines, CoVid testing facilities for International travel, numerous websites including the Vietnamese news. We also share a similar concern regarding our negative PCR test expiring while enroute to VN! I am going with the 72 hr RT-PCR test. In the USA, the RT-PCR test is expensive but it will give me more time to get to VN. The test center provides me with a QR code with the test results. For the life of me, I cannot see how a customs and immigrations agent in Saigon or Hanoi will be able to interpret the lab results from either a RT-PCR, PCR rapid test, RT-PCR LAMP test all printed out by different labs in our respected English speaking countries. Maybe the QR code auto traslates the results to Viet? I can barely decipher lab results in English!
I am flying the other way around the globe so I have an 12 hour time diffrence and cross the internationlal date line. I am concerned with my CoVid test not being valid on arrival. I am getting the RT-PCR (less than 72 hr prior to departure) test. I believe, on arrival in VN, the authorities will look at your CoVid test date and compare that to your scheduled airline departure date to insure your test is not only negative but falls within the 72 hour  window. I am not getting the 24 hour prior to departure rapid test. There are just too many flyiing days/hours involved.
Regarding, the Proof of CoVid insurance. The counsellor at the consulate clearly stated I do not need this. I know there are many websites stating need 10K, 20K $ Insurance coverage. I too, would like to see all of this in writing from the Consulate. I asked my insurance carrier here in USA to send a brief letter indicating CoVid insurance. I am not going to purchase a separate travel policy.
Finally, if for some reason my PCR test is not accepted on arrival in VN, wont they simply ask me to do a quick, radid test there at the airport?

Finally, if for some reason my PCR test is not accepted on arrival in VN, wont they simply ask me to do a quick, radid test there at the airport?
yes I'm sure they would but The thing is they might not let you on the plane at departure. Another thing I have a multi leg trip to get to Vietnam departure from where the last place of entry  or the first place of entry. It's not good that there are so many Gray areas because it just takes 1 Snooty airline staff to decide they don't want to let you on

schleger wrote:

Hi Mike dylan and Ocean Beach,  I too was looking for official regulations on exactly the same topics you have questions on. I could not find one. I called the Vietnamese Consulate in San Fransico and spoke to two different counsellors on two separate occasions. Regarding the timing of the PCR test and also the specific type of test VN requires for entry: one counselor said I should check with my airline. This was interesting because he hinting that what ever test the airline requires for boarding, will allow me into VN. I dont like the sound of that. This counselor gave me bad info as I called my airline and they refered me back to the VN consulate. The other counsellor mentioned either the RT-PCR (negative test 72 hrs prior to depature) or the Rapid PCR (negative 24 hour before departure) would be acceptable. This cousellor seemed to be correct in that he shared the same information I had from a number of different sources, i.e. airlines, CoVid testing facilities for International travel, numerous websites including the Vietnamese news. We also share a similar concern regarding our negative PCR test expiring while enroute to VN! I am going with the 72 hr RT-PCR test. In the USA, the RT-PCR test is expensive but it will give me more time to get to VN. The test center provides me with a QR code with the test results. For the life of me, I cannot see how a customs and immigrations agent in Saigon or Hanoi will be able to interpret the lab results from either a RT-PCR, PCR rapid test, RT-PCR LAMP test all printed out by different labs in our respected English speaking countries. Maybe the QR code auto traslates the results to Viet? I can barely decipher lab results in English!
I am flying the other way around the globe so I have an 12 hour time diffrence and cross the internationlal date line. I am concerned with my CoVid test not being valid on arrival. I am getting the RT-PCR (less than 72 hr prior to departure) test. I believe, on arrival in VN, the authorities will look at your CoVid test date and compare that to your scheduled airline departure date to insure your test is not only negative but falls within the 72 hour  window. I am not getting the 24 hour prior to departure rapid test. There are just too many flyiing days/hours involved.
Regarding, the Proof of CoVid insurance. The counsellor at the consulate clearly stated I do not need this. I know there are many websites stating need 10K, 20K $ Insurance coverage. I too, would like to see all of this in writing from the Consulate. I asked my insurance carrier here in USA to send a brief letter indicating CoVid insurance. I am not going to purchase a separate travel policy.
Finally, if for some reason my PCR test is not accepted on arrival in VN, wont they simply ask me to do a quick, radid test there at the airport?

This is the latest info:

Make special note of the part of the text highlighted in bold which talks about timing prior to departure:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =4#5377180

As for speculating what might happen to you in a Vietnamese airport if all of your paperwork is not considered valid for some reason, it's best to be prepared to pay for a ticket home.

Or you can just follow the latest info and almost certainly be okay, keeping in mind that it's a written rule (posted on government websites) that immigration can change their policy anytime they want and they can refuse your entry into Vietnam for any reason at the last moment.

So it's better to worry about things like what you're saying or how you look when you are going through immigration.

And FYI, although many people deride visa agents and say that they are bloodsuckers etc, they do serve a really great purpose in that they will issue you a Visa approval letter stamped by the government along with any pertinent info, while also answering pertinent and impertinent questions.

If this is causing so much anxiety, I highly recommend finding a trusted Visa agent and letting them hold your hand through the process.

I'm not making fun of you.

That's exactly what I did when I returned to Vietnam in 2018 and although people said I paid way more than I should have (including having the individual agent walk my paperwork through visa on arrival at the airport) I had the peace of mind knowing that I was doing everything according to the most recent rules.

Thanks for the info. The link you sent in the post above is the latest info on entry to VN. This is what I was also told directly from a VNese Consulate counsellor in San Fransisco. Note the “ no vaccination requirement”. Many of us paid the $85 to have the consulate send us a Certificate of Vaccine in Vietnamese, with red stamp.  Money lost. Apparently, we no longer need this certificate…..but it could possibly come in handy to present to a road side check-point official, who is not up to date, somewhere in a remote hamlet.
Side note for doing global air travel. Have you seen the wicked flight path arc planes are now doing to avoid the Ukraine area. I am flying HAN to FRA and the new route is adding close to 2 hours to the flight. Another leg takes me into Taipei, Taiwan. Yikes!

schleger wrote:

Thanks for the info. The link you sent in the post above is the latest info on entry to VN. This is what I was also told directly from a VNese Consulate counsellor in San Fransisco. Note the “ no vaccination requirement”. Many of us paid the $85 to have the consulate send us a Certificate of Vaccine in Vietnamese, with red stamp.  Money lost. Apparently, we no longer need this certificate…..but it could possibly come in handy to present to a road side check-point official, who is not up to date, somewhere in a remote hamlet.
Side note for doing global air travel. Have you seen the wicked flight path arc planes are now doing to avoid the Ukraine area. I am flying HAN to FRA and the new route is adding close to 2 hours to the flight. Another leg takes me into Taipei, Taiwan. Yikes!

Every now and then when I am searching for business class flights I find a cheap one that will take me from LAX to Istanbul Turkey and then to Vietnam with a long layover in Istanbul.

I would be tempted to do that if they let me do a few days in Istanbul and then get back on their next flight.

@mikedylan2001, this is the latest to confirm what you mentioned above........on 3/15/2022, the Ministry of Health has issued Document No. 1265/BYT-DP on the prevention and control of COVID-19 for people on entry (is in vietnamese, however, google translate is pretty close).

Using google translation:
For passengers who are foreigners and Vietnamese people holding foreign passports, in case they have aspirations and problems with applying for a Vietnam entry permit, they can contact us at the following clues:

+ Email: contact@immigration.gov.vn.

+ Guide and answer procedures for entry, exit and residence of foreigners: foreigners@immigration.gov.vn.

+ Phone: 02438260114/ 02438264026 (Hanoi)/ 028.39200365 (Ho Chi Minh City).

+ Procedures for applying for an entry permit can be found at the website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn./.

Ok, here is the summary for passport holder other than Vietnamese:

- 13 countries are exempted from visa when entering Vietnam with a temporary stay of 15 days, regardless of passport type, entry purpose, on the basis of meeting all conditions under: provisions of Vietnamese law: Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of France, Republic of Italy, Kingdom of Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland and Republic of Belarus. Validity: from March 15, 2022 to the end of March 14, 2025.

- Passengers with permanent residence card, temporary residence card, visa, valid visa exemption certificate allowed to enter Vietnam.  These passengers do not need to go through the procedures of personnel inspection, visa issuance / visa exemption certificate, do not need to apply for approval of the immigration policy of the local ministry or industry.

- within 72 hours if using the RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or within 24 hours if using the SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test method and tested by the competent authority of the country performing the test Certification.

- There is no longer a regulation that passengers entering Vietnam by air need to be re-tested when entering Vietnam, and there is no quarantine regulation.

Upon entry:

- All passengers must make a medical declaration at tokhaiyte.vn before departure.

- Install the PC-Covid application.

Quarantine regulations:
During 10 days from the date of entry, passengers self-monitor their health. If you have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decreased or lost taste; decreased or lost sense of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory infection...) must immediately notify the nearest medical facility for guidance and timely management; take preventive measures (regularly wear a mask, disinfect hands with an antiseptic solution).

- Travelers must have medical insurance or travel insurance with treatment content for COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 10,000 USD.

In case there is no negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 when passengers enter VN, a SARS-CoV-2 test must be performed within the first 24 hours (by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method). rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 virus) since entry.

If the test results are negative, they are allowed to leave the accommodation and take preventive measures against the epidemic according to regulations.

If the test result is positive, it must be reported immediately to the local health authority for instructions on timely handling.

Thanks for the good information pppham!  I see  one requirement on the list is, “ must have proof of medical or traveler insurance for $10,000”.  I did speak to a Vietnamese counselor at the San Fransisco, USA Vietmamese embassy (last week) there. He told me insurance is not required.
Hopefully, someone will chime in here with a definitive yes or no on the travel insurance piece. Thanks again

schleger wrote:

Thanks for the good information pppham!  I see  one requirement on the list is, “ must have proof of medical or traveler insurance for $10,000”.  I did speak to a Vietnamese counselor at the San Fransisco, USA Vietmamese embassy (last week) there. He told me insurance is not required.
Hopefully, someone will chime in here with a definitive yes or no on the travel insurance piece. Thanks again

I have also been told yes and no. I will get a policy just to be safe.

@schleger, yes it's a required in 829/PA-BVHTTDL section 1.2.e)

schleger wrote:

Thanks for the good information pppham!  I see  one requirement on the list is, “ must have proof of medical or traveler insurance for $10,000”.  I did speak to a Vietnamese counselor at the San Fransisco, USA Vietmamese embassy (last week) there. He told me insurance is not required.
Hopefully, someone will chime in here with a definitive yes or no on the travel insurance piece. Thanks again

The Consulate is providing you with the correct information. The insurance is not required for entry.

Rick

Thanks all. I will most likely get an insurance policy to be safe. I still have 4 weeks to go before  I travel. Perhaps this requirement (insurance) will be dropped.  On a different note, my airline changed my itinerary six times over the last couple months. Mostly, changing a departure time a couple of minutes. But, some changes were complete routing and days of travel changes. I expect more changes with one month to go.

schleger wrote:

Thanks all. I will most likely get an insurance policy to be safe. I still have 4 weeks to go before  I travel. Perhaps this requirement (insurance) will be dropped.  On a different note, my airline changed my itinerary six times over the last couple months. Mostly, changing a departure time a couple of minutes. But, some changes were complete routing and days of travel changes. I expect more changes with one month to go.

Which airline/airlines?

I selected Air Canada, maybe +8 months ago. At the time CoVid was hot and the fare was very inexpensive. Air Canada does code share with EVA, Asiana, Vietnam Air, etc some legs are on other carriers. Air Canada will get you into either Taipei, Seoul, Frankfurt, Hong Kong (not at present). Regarding the 6 changes to my itinerary, Air Canada has been good working with me when there was a significant change, at no extra charge$. So far, so good.

One more thing on making airline connections in Canada. You cannot do an overnight connection in Canada. My 5th itinerary change had me do just that, an overnight connection in Vancouver. I happened to read a Canadian government website prohibiting “no overnight conx in Canada”, called Air Canada and they put me on a flight from Toronoto to Seoul with no overight connection.
My perception, and perhaps others here, is just when I think I have everything covered, i.e. Vaccines, tests, VEC, airline tickets, etc. I turn over another rock only to find yet another SNAFU. In this last case, had I not stumbled on the “ no overnight connections allowed”, I probably would have been required to take a CoVid test and spend the night in a Canadian airport.

@mikedylan2001 

UK is exempt.

Also, I flew Vietnam Airlines and they required a Vietnamese Government health declaration. They would not accept the “app” version. You must use the “website version”. @Tony Bridle