As many countries finally come out of lockdown, tourism authorities are going all-out as they look to reboot their economies. Thailand, for example, is already welcoming visitors from nations across the globe, and Australia is finally opening up next week too.
Until now, Vietnam had been a lot more cautious. Happily, though, the country is going to end its ban on international tourists three months earlier than planned, meaning a holiday to the country could be back on the cards.
Double-jabbed arrivals will be allowed in from March 15. The rules state that travellers over the age of two will have to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Once in the country, they’ll have to take a lateral flow test, then wait for the result in a hotel. All arrivals also need to prove they have travel insurance with Covid cover for least $10,000 (£13,600).
Unvaccinated travellers can enter the country, but they are required to quarantine in a hotel for seven days, taking a PCR test on days one and seven.
The country does, however, have pretty strict Covid rules still in place. Travellers have to install the Vietnamese track-and-trace app on their phone and abide by local rules like mask-wearing and social distancing. But if that’s the price you to pay for a glorious, sun-splashed beach holiday this summer? Sounds so worth it to us.
In the meantime, here are the 19 best things to do in Vietnam on your next trip.