Vietnam to double-check entry of foreigners

Vietnam will recheck the visa granting process for foreigners as Covid-19 is continuing to spread across the country that was partly caused by loose quarantine of foreign experts.

Vietnam opens doors to foreign experts for its economic recovery plans. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assume responsibility for the issue and report to the prime minister, the Government’s Office said in a document released on May 11.

Four other ministries will join the review including ministries of Health, National Defence, Public Security, and Transport.

The request was made following the widespread transmission of Covid-19 after the disease resurgence in Vietnam on April 29 in part due to the infection from a Chinese expert who violated regulations on self-quarantine.

After 12 days of the virus resurgence, Vietnam recorded nearly 600 cases spanning 26 cities and provinces, mostly in the north and surrounding areas of Hanoi.

Since Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners on March 22, 2020, five groups of foreigners are allowed to enter the country, including diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers.

They come to Vietnam with special entry permits granted by Vietnamese authorities after meeting requirements by representatives of the aforementioned five ministries.

All travelers, excepting for those on short business trips, will be subject to quarantine at a centralized government facility, corporate headquarters, factory, or a designated hotel.

They are quarantined upon the arrival.

Allowing the entry of those groups of foreigners is part of Vietnam’s efforts to pursue the twin goals of both containing the virus and developing economy.