Vietnam has sent out signals starting to welcome international tourists with less red tape starting in mid-March 2022 (read more here and here).
Vietnam already allows arrivals with prearranged visas and self-quarantine at their place of residence for three days if staying in the country for more than 14 days. However, there has been a requirement to purchase prearranged tours to arrange a visa, as visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival have been suspended.
Ho Chi Minh City on Friday released a list of hotels and attractions that can host tourists from this month:
Hotels:
District 1
- Rex Hotel
- Sheraton Saigon
- InterCotinental Asiana
- Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint
- Liberty Central Saigon Center Riverside
- Liberty Central Saigon Center
- Vien Dong Hotel
- Silverland Sakyo
District 3
- Novotel Saigon Center
- Ramana Saigon
District 5
- Windsor Plaza
- Equatorial Hotel
Phu Nhuan District
Attractions:
- Central Post Office
- Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Ao dai Museum
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Sac Forest Tourism Area
- Saigon Skydeck Observatory
- Bitexco Financial Tower
Vietnam and HCMC have high hopes for fast tourism rebound, according to VNExpress:
Once the pandemic is better controlled, HCMC hopes to receive 25 million domestic and 3.5 million foreign tourists this year.
Its tourism sector has a revenue target of VND97.7 trillion ($4.3 billion).
HCMC received over 8.6 million foreign visitors in 2019, or nearly half the total foreign arrivals in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s March Reopening Plan:
Conclusion
These arrangements are in place until the (hopefully) full reopening for foreign visitors with previous visa-free and visa-on-arrival facilities on March 15, 2022. I hope there are no last-minute changes from the federal government or limitations set by the cities and regions.
The incoming tourism estimates for 2022 are extremely ambitious and unachievable, even if the country would welcome everyone with open arms. Neighboring Thailand., which saw 40 million visitors arrivals in 2019, hopes to attract a quarter of that (10 million) this year.
I have found Vietnam an interesting country to visit (been at least a dozen times) and cannot wait to be back.
