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Vietnam borders have been almost entirely closed since the start of the pandemic. While the travel restrictions have helped to curb the spread of COVID-19, they have also left many expats with a challenge – how to get back to Vietnam during the pandemic?
Fortunately, there is now a way for foreign nationals to enter Vietnam. It does come with several additional requirements, such as a need for a Vietnamese company to take legal responsibility for you, but Emerhub has put together a solution that allows you to return to Vietnam.
Continue reading to find out how you can enter Vietnam during COVID.
Changes to Vietnam visas due to COVID-19
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in Vietnam?
Visas on arrival are currently not permitted, but you can apply for a visa in advance. The COVID Vietnam visa application process involves a series of screening stages that take just over a month.
Read on to find out if you qualify for entry into Vietnam and how travellers wishing to enter during coronavirus will require a sponsor.
Who can enter Vietnam during COVID?
The good news is that in November 2020, the Vietnamese government decided to allow entry applications to specific groups of people including:
- Vietnamese Nationals
- Foreign Diplomats
- Official duty and special caseworkers
- Foreign Experts
- Business Managers and Foreign Investors
- High-tech workers/experts of businesses working on projected deemed important by the Vietnamese Government
Vietnam Visa Requirements
To qualify for entry to Vietnam you will need to provide the following:
- Legitimate reasons for entry
- Specific details of your job
- Your travel plans
- A Vietnamese sponsor company
- A negative COVID test
- A flight ticket to Vietnam
- A hotel booking for the 14 day quarantine period
- Pre-planned private transportation from the airport to your hotel
Vietnam Visa Process
- Applications for a visa through a Vietnam sponsor company
- Take a COVID test
- Book your flights to Vietnam
- Book a government-approved hotel for the 14 day quarantine period
1# Vietnamese Sponsor Company
The current Vietnam Visa process takes about 5 weeks and first and foremost, requires a Vietnamese sponsor company. Your visa application and corresponding documents will be submitted by the sponsor company, so it’s important that you have a reliable one.
Along with all your applications and documentation, the sponsor company will need to provide a warranty for your arrival and hold your Power of Attorney. Emerhub will check whether the sponsor company qualifies for acting as your sponsor and we will coordinate with the sponsor company to prepare all the necessary documents
Finding the right company to sponsor you can be very challenging, but Emerhub will get you a reliable sponsor company. We will also guide sponsor companies through the application process to ensure that all requirements for visa approval are met.
2# Booking a Flight to Vietnam
Once your visa application has been approved, you can get a COVID test from a WHO-approved testing facility in your country. The medical certificate proving that you are COVID free is needed as evidence to book your flight to Vietnam. The departure date needs to be within 3-5 days of the negative test result.
3# Booking a Hotel for Your Quarantine Period
Officials in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi have approved specific hotels that are suitable for quarantine which you will need to book yourself. You will also need to pre-book private transportation from the airport to the hotel. Emerhub will provide you with the most up-to-date list of qualifying hotels to ease your booking process.
Apply for a visa to Vietnam
4# Entry to Vietnam and a 14-day quarantine
Once you have arrived, completed a health check, and provided all the documents necessary for entry, you will be escorted straight to your quarantine hotel in your pre-booked hotel transportation.
Vietnamese Health Authorities will regularly monitor your health during your quarantine period, the cost of which will be taken on by your sponsor company.
Quarantine in Vietnam requires you to stay in your hotel room and you will not be allowed to leave your room until you have been cleared by the Vietnamese Health Authorities. Food and water will be left outside your door at regular meal times.
5# Staying in Vietnam After Quarantine
Once cleared of quarantine, you will need to abide by necessary health measures. This includes:
- Staying at your designated accommodation
- Following your scheduled itinerary of the business trip
- Use of Bluezone contract tracing app
- Wearing face masks every time you step out of your accommodation
- Respect social distancing rules and maintain personal hygiene.
The process for entering Vietnam during this time can get quite complicated, but we are here to help. We have successfully reunited people with their families and their businesses over the past few weeks. Get in touch so we can do the same for you.
