The government has just approved the proposal from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to allow five localities including Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Quang Ninh to welcome back foreign tourists after a long suspension due to Covid-19.
Phu Quoc will receive foreign visitors from November. Illustrative photo
Under the ministry's pilot plan which was approved by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 2, foreign travellers coming to these five places are required to be fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the last dose to be given at least 14 days and not more than 12 months from the time of entry.
The vaccination certificate must be issued by a competent authority in the country where the vaccine is administered. The vaccine must be approved for use by either the World Health Organisation, the US Centres for Disease Control, or the European Medicines Agency of the Ministry of Health.
They also need to test negative for Covid-19, using the RT-PCR method or rapid tests within 72 hours before their arrival.
In addition, they must have medical or travel insurance and participate in package tours offered by the travel agency.
The pilot plan will be divided into three phases with the first starting from November and allowing foreign tourists to book package tours which will take them to some registered places.
On November 2, Nguyen Van Son, chairman of the Hoi An city administration in Quang Nam, said the old town would resume tourism activities from November 15. The UNESCO-recognised site will launch closed tours for international tourists meeting entry and medical isolation requirements.
The local administration will therefore give discounts of 50 percent on ticket prices to visit the old town area and craft villages.
Son said Hoi An City would hold an array of cultural activities aimed at satisfying the entertainment demands of both local residents and tourists. It will primarily focus on major events such as a lantern festival, a street food festival, and New Year celebrations in the remaining two months of the year.