Vietnam international travel reopening: what leaders should plan

Vietnam international travel reopening is under way this month, and it ends two years of closed borders for most foreign visitors. In March 2022 the country began welcoming foreign tourists again. For leaders who run teams or deals across borders, the question now is practical: when can we travel, and what should we plan first?

This note sets out what is known, what is still changing, and a short planning list. It is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules can change quickly, so always confirm with an official source before you book.

How the border closed and reopened

Vietnam suspended entry for nearly all foreigners on 22 March 2020. Only a few groups were exempt, such as diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts and skilled workers. From November 2021, the entry ban was eased in small steps, with only limited groups and routes at first.

On 15 March 2022 Vietnam fully reopened to international tourism. The first flight after the reopening, VN650 from Singapore, landed at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City on 16 March. Visitors with a negative COVID-19 test could skip quarantine if they made a medical declaration before entry and used the PC-COVID app during their stay.

Sources: Wikipedia, "COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam", for the March 2020 suspension and the exempt groups; Tuoi Tre News (17 March 2022), "Vietnam welcomes first foreign visitors following official int'l tourism reopening", for the reopening, the first flight and the test rule.

What the reopening means for business travel

The reopening is mostly about tourists, but business visitors benefit too. More flights and the return of visa exemption for citizens of 13 countries, including Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and the UK (stays of up to 15 days), make a short trip easier to arrange than at any point since early 2020.

Do not expect a quick return to normal, though. Before the pandemic the country drew about 18 million international visitors in 2019. The figure fell to under 4 million in 2020. Airlines, hotels and venues have been running far below that old level, so expect thin schedules on some routes and tight staffing at some venues.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Tourism in Vietnam", for the 2019 visitor figure; Wikipedia, "COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam", for the 2020 figure of 3.83 million; Tuoi Tre News (17 March 2022) for the visa exemption.

A health picture that is still moving

Reopening is happening during a large Omicron wave. By 18 March 2022 Vietnam had recorded more than 6.8 million cases, with about 2.1 million still active. At the same time, vaccination is wide: about 77.6 million people were fully vaccinated.

Rules may loosen or tighten as the wave moves, so plan for change.

This is general information, not medical advice. Check with a doctor or your company health adviser about your own situation.

Sources: Wikipedia, "COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam", for the case and vaccination counts as of mid March 2022.

A planning checklist for leaders

Start with the official rules. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department publish visa and entry notices. Your airline and your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate can confirm the details that apply to your passport.

• Confirm the visa route for your nationality and the dates it is valid.
• Check what proof of vaccination, testing or insurance is asked for on arrival.
• Book flexible tickets and refundable hotel rooms.
• Build slack into your calendar in case a test result or flight changes.
• Name a local contact who can handle sudden changes on the ground.

Keep a simple file for each trip. Put in it your passport copy, your booking details, your hotel address and the date of every rule you checked. If a rule changes, you can see at once what you relied on and what needs a second look.

Treat any rule you read in the news as a lead, not a final answer. Go back to the official notice and note the date it was issued.

Rethinking trips and meetings

After two years of video calls, many teams have learned what truly needs a face to face meeting. A first trip back is a good time to be selective. Pick the meetings where trust, a signing or a site visit makes the flight worth it, and keep routine updates online.

Plan shorter, denser visits at first. A trip to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi that bundles several partners into one week uses the scarce seats and rooms well. Share the agenda early so partners can plan staff around your dates. Confirm each meeting a few days before you travel, so a late change on either side does not waste a long flight.

What to watch next

Three things will shape the next few months: how the current wave develops, how airlines add routes now that borders are open, and whether entry paperwork gets simpler. Watch official announcements and check them again a week before you fly.

Sources: Tuoi Tre News (17 March 2022). Official notices from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department of Vietnam are the final word on entry rules.