Vietnam will abolish its Covid-19 testing requirement for people entering the country from Sunday.
The prime ministerial decision was made on Friday in the context of global declines in both Covid-19 cases and mortalities. Many countries have gradually eased pandemic prevention and control measures, including removing the requirement to have a Covid-19 test before entering the country.
As specified by the Ministry of Health, foreign entrants by air, road, waterways and railways, need to submit a negative RT-PRC test within 72 hours or a rapid test (antigen rapid test) in 24 hours of departure.
In the absence of a Covid-19 test, visitors must limit stopping and contact with others when traveling from the border gate to their residence in the first 24 hours. After a negative test result, they are free to travel.
Tourism insiders claimed the requirement has impeded the country’s tourism rebound.
Vietnam fully reopened its tourism market to international visitors from March 15. On April 27, the health ministry abolished health declaration for people entering the country.
International visitors to Vietnam by air reached 232,000 in April, up 502% year-on-year, indicating the country's tourism recovery as international routes resumed post pandemic.