The COVID-19 pandemic may be releasing its icy grip from most of the world but its effects continue to linger. For example, since it started in 2019, traveling within Asia has taken a significant hit. Vietnam’s decision to suspend inbound flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is one such case. However, countries are finding ways around these travel issues in 2021.
Like the rest of the world, the pandemic hit tourism in Vietnam badly, but things are looking more positive now. The Vietnam government has reduced quarantine time for inbound travelers from 21 days to 7 days. And in this article, we will discuss this and other travel developments for Asian tourists in Vietnam.
Note: As of July 2021, Vietnam is dealing with the new surge of the Delta variant Covid cases. Ho Chi Minh City is under total lockdown, no visitor is allowed to enter, nor residents in the city are able to go outside. Other Southern provinces and cities, as well as Hanoi in the North, are also under strict social distancing measures.
Reopening Vietnam to Tourists
Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, Vietnam has been one of the strictest countries to allow visitors to enter the country. Travel to Vietnam has been put on hold for a while because of the pandemic outbreak. This has been the preliminary beginnings of Vietnam’s ambition to open its borders to international travelers in September 2021.
The number of deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam is enviably lower than what we can find in other parts of the world. The low mortality rate is due to early and proactive anti-pandemic responses. Having said that, it does not mean that the impact of the pandemic on Vietnam is less severe.
The economic impact is evident in the airline and tourism industries, which are among those most affected everywhere. In fact, Vietnam’s tourism industry may lose between US$5.9 and US$7 billion. Therefore, the country is stiffening regulations to contain a new spike in COVID cases, after having mostly kept the virus at bay throughout the pandemic.
Since March 25, 2020, only Vietnamese nationals, foreign specialists, and highly trained employees are permitted to enter the country, and all must follow the mandatory quarantine and testing. International flights with some Asian countries have been reopened (such as Thailand, Japan, Korea, etc. ) as one of the efforts to stimulate the tourism economy.
See more on Travel Regulations in Vietnam during COVID-19
Vietnam has not laid out any specific plans for vaccine passports, but there are positive signs that the idea will be implemented soon after the COVID cases in the country are under control. On the bright side, the government is carrying out mass testing and vaccination schemes for the citizens. WHO also encourages everyone to get COVID shots to protect themselves and others while on the road. So before embarking on flights to Vietnam, it is a good idea to research the CDC’s advice for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.
Asian Tourists in Vietnam
Though with many similar cultural traits and natural scenery, Vietnam is still a top travel destination for visitors from neighboring Asian countries. Among these, Chinese visitors take up the majority, followed by Korean and Southeast Asian travelers. In addition to that, since the first international flights resumed are between Asian countries, there are high chance that Asian visitors are among the first groups to return to Vietnam.
See International Flights Updates in Vietnam
One of the many attractions in Vietnam is the stunning beaches. One may say that the coastal scenery in Vietnam is no different than that of Thailand or Malaysia, but it’s the impressive culture, divine food, and hospitality that set Vietnam apart from other Asia’s tourism hubs. Vietnam beaches have something to offer for everyone, serving as lovely locations for Vietnamese and Chinese girls to sunbathe and have a good time.
In Conclusion of Asian Tourists in Vietnam
Vietnam is a picturesque delight — a country with a rich history. Around 80% of foreign tourism spending in Vietnam comes from Asian countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Although the COVID-19 pandemic hit it hard, its effects are subsiding, and once the tourism sector is fully operational, it will become a go-to spot once again.