Tour operator sources and the state-run Vietnam News Agency have said the country will reopen three months earlier than originally planned.
According to specialist operator InsideAsia Tours, initial requirements are for clients over 12 to be fully vaccinated with a vaccine passport and to have had their most recent dose between 14 days and six months prior to departure.
All clients over two must have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival, stay in an isolation hotel and take an antigen test within the first 24 hours.
In addition, travel insurance with Covid cover of at least $10,000 is set to be compulsory.
Clients must also have the Vietnam track and trace app installed and keep their phone on during their stay.
“This is great news for us as a specialist tour operator and something that we have been looking forward to for such a long time, along with our customers and partners on the ground,” said InsideAsia PR and partnerships manager James Mundy.
He added: “This is a big piece in the south-east Asia jigsaw, and the picture for travel is looking a lot more promising."
Vietnam has already removed restrictions on the number of international flights flying to the country and its reopening follows earlier steps taken by other Asian nations including Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.
Glen Mintrim, Wendy Wu Tours, chief executive, said: “This is great news for the travel industry and sets the scene for the reopening of the rest of Asia.
“We already know that Japan is piloting a sequential reopening this spring and so with Vietnam reopening we are looking forward to a huge resurgence in Asia travel.”
Wendy Wu said it had more than 50 departures to Vietnam operating this year and more than 130 booked so far for Vietnam in 2023.
