Tourism council calls for end to Covid testing for foreign visitors

With Vietnam set to fully open its doors to tourists from March 15, the Tourism Advisory Board has urged the government to scrap Covid testing requirements for foreign visitors.

In said Vietnam should "treat foreign and domestic tourists alike."

Domestic tourists are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements and are only required to test if they have symptoms of Covid.

The board said many countries have scrapped testing requirements for foreign tourists who are fully vaccinated and Vietnam should do the same to boost its competitiveness.

Besides, visitors aged under 12 should be treated like their parents, it said. If adults have a valid Covid vaccination certificate, accompanying children should not need to be tested, it said.

Foreign tourists testing positive after entry could be isolated at their place of accommodation like domestic visitors, it recommended.

Luong Hoai Nam, a member of the council, said Vietnam should adopt open tourism policies to attract foreign visitors and compete with neighboring countries after reopening.

"No foreign tourist will be ready to return to the country if we impose strict restrictions."

Earlier the Ministry of Health had recommended that foreign tourists should self-isolate for three days after entry and test two to three times during this period.

For unvaccinated children under 12 this period should be seven days with daily tests, it said.