PLAN

FOR RESUMPTION OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES UNDER NEW NORMAL CONDITIONS

In order to implement Resolution No. 25/NQ-CP of the Government dated March 7, 2022; Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP of the Government dated March 15, 2022; the Prime Minister's direction at Official Dispatch No. 513/CD-VPCP dated January 19, 2022 on building a roadmap of resumption of tourism to welcome international tourists in a safe, scientific and effective manner; Official Letter No. 1606/VPCP-QHQT of the Office of the Government dated March 15, 2022 on the restoration of Vietnam's immigration policy; Notice No. 43/TB-VPCP dated February 16, 2022 of the Government Office on the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the meeting on February 15, 2022 on the plan to resume tourism activities; on the basis of opinions of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the document No. 1265/BYT-DP dated March 15, 2022 of the Ministry of Health on the pandemic safety protocols imposed on people on entry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgates a plan for resumption of tourism activities to ensure safety and efficiency under new normal conditions (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) with the following contents:

I. PURPOSES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Purpose

- Resume tourism activities under new normal conditions with the motto "safe and flexible adaption to and  effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic" under the direction of the Government in Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021.

- Re-open international tourism activities after the pilot period to welcome international tourists to Vietnam.

- Determine the responsibilities of ministries, central authorities and local governments in implementing the Plan, creating coordination among parties to resume and develop tourism into a leading economic sector according to Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2017 of the Politburo.

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- Implement the Prime Minister's direction at Official Dispatch No. 513/CD-VPCP dated January 19, 2022 on building a roadmap of resumption of tourism to welcome international tourists in a safe, scientific and effective manner.

- Specify milestones, subjects and requirements for resuming tourism activities under new normal conditions.

- The engagement of ministries, central authorities and local governments in initiating the Plan must be done simultaneously and responsibly.

II. TIME FOR RESUMPTION OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES

1. Time: From March 15, 2022

2. Scope: Resume international and domestic tourism activities under new normal conditions via air, road, railway and sea way in a safe manner and in accordance with regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19.

3. Regulated entities

- Inbound tourists.

- Outbound tourists.

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III. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR RESUMPTION OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES UNDER NEW NORMAL CONDITIONS

1. For international tourism activities

1.1. Visa policy:  Implementing the Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP dated March 15, 2022 on visa waiver for nationals of the Federal Republic of Germany, The French Republic, Italian Republic, Kingdom of Spain, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland, and Republic of Belarus; Official Dispatch No. 1606/VPCP-QHQT dated March 15, 2022 on the resumption of Vietnam's immigration policy and related regulations.

1.2. Requirements for outbound tourists

a) For tourists entering Vietnam by air: They must obtain a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 (except for children under 2 years old) before departure within 72 hours if using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test or within 24 hours if using SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test and obtain such a certificate from the competent authority of the country performing the test.

b) For tourists entering Vietnam by road, rail or sea:  They must obtain the test result as required at point a above. In case they have not obtained a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified at point a, they must get test for SARS-CoV-2 at the checkpoint before entry (using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test or SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test). If the test result is negative, they will be allowed to enter Vietnam and participate in tourism activities, if the test result is positive, they must follow the instructions of the health authorities.

c) Children under 2 years old who are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2, have not been vaccinated against COVID-I9 or have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 are allowed to enter Vietnam and participate in activities outside the places of accommodation with their parents, relatives.

d) Tourists must make a health declaration before entry and use the health declaration application (PC-COVID), and follow statutory pandemic safety protocols during their stay in Vietnam.

dd) At the checkpoint, if tourists have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decrease in or loss of taste; decrease in or loss of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory infection, etc.)  immediately report to the health authority at the checkpoint to take medical measures as prescribed.

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g) During 10 days from the date of entry, tourists self-monitor their health if there are symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decrease in or loss of taste; decrease in or loss of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory infection, etc.)  immediately report to the nearest health facility to receive timely guidance and management; take preventive measures: regularly wear a mask, disinfect hands with an antiseptic solution.

h) Tourists must meet the requirements for exit and entry according to Vietnam's immigration laws and other relevant regulations when traveling in Vietnam.

1.3. Requirements for inbound tourists: Comply with regulations on immigration, health and related regulations of Vietnam and the countries and territories where they travel to.

2. For domestic tourism activities

- Comply with the Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government "Safe and flexible adaption to and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic” and guiding documents on pandemic safety protocols.

- Initiate a plan for providing a stimulus package and recover domestic tourism activities nationwide.  Promote destination images, building diversified and attractive tourism products and experiences.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

a) Cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local governments in initiating the Plan.

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c) Coordinate with local governments in directing and supporting tourism enterprises to upgrade tourism facilities, infrastructure, human resources, develop tourism products, improve service quality to serve tourism activities.

d) Direct tourism businesses to update health guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and control according to Vietnam's regulations to provide information for foreign tourists and partners.

2. Request the Ministry of Health to

a) update health regulations for people on entry and guide the process of COVID-19 prevention and control suitable for tourists on entry.

b) provide technical guidance on supervision, investigation and handling of cases of entry found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 at checkpoints of air, road, railway and sea.

c) direct the international quarantine agency at the checkpoint to check and ensure that tourists meet health requirements before carrying out immigration procedures, guide the people on entry to make electronic health declaration.

d) Cooperate with ministries and central authorities in preparing plans for isolation and risk management in case of an outbreak, especially with regard to new virus strains.

dd) Give guidance on offering COVID-19 vaccines to tourists when they need it after entering Vietnam.

3. Request the Ministry of Public Security or Ministry of National Defense to

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b) Guide the health declaration procedures for foreigners on entry, ensure connection with PC-COVID data, facilitate the health declaration of tourists as well as health monitoring, surveillance, tracing of people on entry.

c) Apply science and information technology on the basis of the national database on population, citizen identification data and digital maps to serve the resumption of tourism activities.

d) Make necessary preparations (including location, means, personnel, etc.) to perform rapid testing for tourists before entering via road, rail or sea to ensure no congestion, safety and convenience for tourists.

dd) Prepare plans for pandemic prevention and control under the direction of the Government.  Coordinate with health authorities and related parties to prepare locations and isolation plans where necessary.

4. Request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to

a) Communicate Vietnam's entry procedures and regulations to with other countries/territories. Monitor anti-pandemic policies of other countries to recommend appropriate visa measures to prevent the situation that foreigners are stranded in Vietnam after entry.

b) Continue to negotiate with countries to recognize each other's vaccine passports, enable Vietnamese citizens to go abroad.

c) Coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local governments in communicating, promoting, advertising, attracting international tourists to Vietnam.

5. Request the Ministry of Transport to

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b) Inform passengers of regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic, regulations on security and safety in passenger transport by air, road, sea and railway as well as regulations on immigration and health control.

6. Request Ministry of Information and Communications to

a) Coordinate and direct the press agencies, the information system, and propagate the contents of the plan for resumption of tourism activities in a safe and effective manner in the new normal context and according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

b) Continue to upgrade and improve the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control application (PC-COVID) to support tourists on entry during their stay in Vietnam.

7. The People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities shall

a) Resume tourism activities, unify the process of welcoming and serving guests to maintain pandemic safety protocols, have a plan to deal with medical incidents occurring related to tourism activities.  Actively coordinate between local governments and businesses in developing tourism products and services in accordance with the needs of tourists.

b) Support tourism businesses in the province/city to develop new tourism products, upgrade facilities, improve quality of tourism services, train tourism human resources to organize tourism activities in a safe and effective manner.

c) Strengthen tourism promotion and advertising, provide stimulus packages to attract international and domestic tourists.

8. For tourism businesses

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b) Actively develop plans for COVID-19 prevention and control and an action plan for any case of COVID-19 as per regulations. Further strictly follow the regulations of the Ministry of Health to control the pandemic well.

c) Inform tourists before the trip about regulations and requirements when traveling to Vietnam and other relevant regulations. Guide tourists to comply with Vietnam's regulations to ensure safe tourism activities.

d) Ensure that tourists must have health insurance or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a given minimum liability coverage as prescribed.

dd) Coordinate with authorities in tourist management to ensure compliance with Vietnamese laws and local regulations.

e) Disseminate, raise awareness of and guide employees to comply with regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic of the tourism industry, the health sector and specialized agencies in a strict manner.

g) Actively inspect and review quality and improve and upgrade facilities and customer service services so as to meet applicable conditions and standards.

h) Actively recruit, provide training and refresher courses for human resources to ensure service quality in a timely manner to meet the reopening of tourism.

i) Initiate activities such as building products, promoting, communicating, stimulating demand in domestic and international tourism, connecting with tourism destinations; developing new products, improving the quality of tourism products and services./.

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PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Doan Van Viet