When the Covid-19 outbreak started, Vietnam immediately closed its borders to prevent the virus from further spreading into the country. Things are slowly going back to normal now but Vietnam is careful enough not to allow another wave of the outbreak to take place. Because of this, the Vietnamese authorities will only allow foreign visitors to enter if they are here for essential reasons. These visitors include foreign experts, diplomats, investors, and their respective family members, as well as Vietnamese citizens returning home.
Also, Vietnam will only allow those who came from countries with low incidences of Covid-19 infection and this includes Japan. But before you can fly to Vietnam, there several things that you need to prepare ahead of time. If you are flying from Japan and you belong to those visitors who are eligible to enter Vietnam, here are the procedures to follow.
Entering Vietnam during this time of pandemic will require prior permission. The permission will come from the local People’s Committee. When your visit is approved, they will issue an entry permit, which you need to present upon arrival at the airport.
For foreign workers and experts, it is their sponsor company that should apply for the entry permit. This is the same procedure for Japanese investors, business managers, and other visitors who will be asked to come to Vietnam for work.
To apply for the entry permit, the sponsoring company must submit some important documents to the local People’s Committee. Aside from the passport of the foreign visitor, a signed document proving that the visitor is an employee of the company may also be needed.
After getting the entry permit, the next thing that the company will do is to request written approval from the Immigration Department of Vietnam. This letter will indicate that Immigration is approving the entry of the foreign traveler. To apply for the written approval, the visitor’s passport must be submitted. Furthermore, a notarized business license copy should also be submitted along with the NA16 form. The Vietnam Immigration might also ask the company to submit a copy of the visitor’s airline ticket.
In order to ensure the safety of everyone, the Vietnamese authorities have also required all visitors to secure a medical certificate when entering the country during this time of the pandemic. The medical certificate should serve as proof that the visitor is not carrying the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, when getting a medical certificate, you have to undergo a Covid-19 test. The test should be taken at least 3 to 5 days before your entry to Vietnam.
When it comes to the medical certificate, make sure that the laboratory that will perform the Covid-19 test in Japan is licensed and authorized. It should be government-approved and accredited by the World Health Organization.
All visitors arriving in Vietnam will be asked to undergo a medical examination at the airport. This is to determine if you have any symptoms of the Covid-19 disease. The medical exam will include a temperature check to see if you have a fever, which is the most common symptom of Covid-19. Any visitor who is showing symptoms of Covid-19 will immediately be isolated for testing. If the result will turn out positive, the visitor will be brought to a hospital for treatment. But if you are not showing any symptoms, you are free to proceed to immigration.
At the immigration, you will be asked to present your passport and visa. The immigration officer might also ask you questions about your purpose of visit. Aside from showing your passport and visa, you will also be required to present the written approval and other documents to prove that you are eligible for entry. After verifying your documents, the Immigration Officer will then stamp your passport for entry.
For foreign visitors who will be in Vietnam for more than 14 days, a mandatory 14-day requirement is necessary. Before flying to Vietnam, your company should book accommodation for your isolation. You can isolate at a hotel close to your place of work or anywhere else, for as long as the isolation area is government approved.
To get to your hotel, your company must arrange a private vehicle to pick you up from the airport. Upon your arrival at the hotel, medical staff will test you for Covid-19. They will also monitor you during your 14-day isolation. After 14 days, you’ll be tested again for Covid-19. If it’s negative, that’s when you will be allowed to go out of isolation and start working in Vietnam. While working, it’s very important that you follow the health and safety protocols imposed by the government of Vietnam to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Vietnam is now slowly opening its borders but only to travelers who can help mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. And in order to prevent another wave of the pandemic, Vietnamese authorities will only permit the entry of foreigners coming from countries with low infection rates, such as China.
Vietnam shares a close trade relationship with Taiwan. In 2019, the bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$16 billion and this keeps on increasing year by year.
Traveling to Vietnam these days can be complicated. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are several requirements and health protocols that visitors must follow before they can be allowed entry into the country.
