Additional requirements for entry approval to Vietnam during COVID-19

On 24 July, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control issued Official Letter No.3949/CV-BCD requiring “experts” who enter Vietnam to work to obtain (1) real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for detecting SARS-CoV-02. The test must be done 3 to 7 days before Vietnam arrival and it must be done at a government-approved medical centre or one recognized by the World Health Organization; (2) Health insurance and medical costs related to Covid-19 treatments (if any) are to be borne by the individuals or organisations sponsoring their visa/work permit; (3) Organisations that sponsor the experts’ visa/work permit are responsible for ensuring the safety of Covid-19 prevention and control of the experts. The additional requirements do not apply to experts who arrive Vietnam before 5 August 2020. We understand at the moment the Ho Chi Minh City Labour Department has prioritized to process with entry approval for experts who have a valid work permit. It should be noted that mandatory quarantine upon arrival at a designated quarantine place or hotel still required. Designated hotels that serve as quarantine locations have been expanded. Refer below for approved hotel locations as paid quarantined locations in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.