Công văn 414/BVHTTDL-TCDL

Implementing Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 30, 2022 of the Government on Socio-Economic Development and Restoration Programme; Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 of the National Assembly on finance and currency policies on support for Programme; Official Telegram No. 513/CD-VPCP dated January 19, 2022 of the Government Office on formulating a roadmap to safe, scientific and effective reopening for international tourists; Notification No. 28/TB-VPCP of the Government Office on conclusion of the Prime Minister in the meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control dated January 28, 2022; on the basis of the result of “Conference on unification of roadmap and solutions to reopen international tourism” organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 24, 2022, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism formulates a "Plan for safe and effective reopening of tourism in the new normal" and a draft of Statement to the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism would like to receive comments on the Plan for reopening tourism and the Statement (attached document) from other Ministries (through Vietnam National Administration of Tourism at No. 80, Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi. Tel: 0904157948 Email: [email protected]) within February 14, 2021 for timely reporting to the Prime Minister in the meeting on February 15, 2022.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is looking forward to continue to receiving support and cooperation of the Ministries./.

Draft

PLAN

FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE REOPENING OF TOURISM IN THE NEW NORMAL

Implementing Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 30, 2022 of the Government on Socio-Economic Development and Restoration Programme; Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 of the National Assembly on finance and currency policies on support for Programme; Official Telegram No. 513/CD-VPCP dated January 19, 2022 of the Government Office on formulating a roadmap to safe, scientific and effective reopening for international tourists; Notification No. 28/TB-VPCP of the Government Office on conclusion of the Prime Minister in the meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control dated January 28, 2022; on the basis of the opinions the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism formulates a Plan for safe and effective reopening of tourism in the new normal (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan" with major contents as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Objectives

- Restore tourism in the new normal with a motto “Safety and flexibility and effective control of COVID-19” following the direction of the Government in Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021.

- Strictly implement Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 30, 2022 of the Government on Socio-Economic Development and Restoration Programme and implement Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 of the National Assembly on finance and currency policies on support for the Programme.

- Gradually reopen international tourism after executing experimental programme in order to prepare for complete reopening of the international tourism in safe conditions.

- Determine specific responsibilities of Ministries, central authorities and local authorities for carrying out the Plan and create the unification among units to restore and develop tourism into a key economic industry according to Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2017 of the Ministry of Finance.

2. Requirements

- Determine specific time, subjects and requirements for reopening tourism.

- Reopen tourism as soon as possible in a gradual and strict manner, in a safe, scientific, appropriate, effective manner and ensure adherence to the roadmap; avoid perfectionism and haste; try to achieve uniformity and consistency.

-  Make sure ministries, central authorities and local authorities participate in the Plan consistently, responsibly and actively to ensure safety and efficiency.

II. Time for reopening tourism

1. Starting from now to March 14, 2022

Continue to carry out stage 2 of the Experimental Programme on reception of international tourists.

2. Starting from March 15, 2022

Reopen international and domestic tourism in the new normal by air, land, sea in a manner that is safe and appropriate for the time for execution of the Socio-Economic Development and Restoration Programme of the Government (hereinafter referred to as “the Programme”).

Completely reopen international and domestic tourism on the basis of COVID-19 prevention and control situation and result and assessment of reception of international tourists in the new normal.

III. Requirements for safety in REOPENING TOURISM IN THE NEW NORMAL

1.  International tourism

a) Starting from now to March 14, 2022: Strictly implement Guidance No. .... on temporarily piloting reception of international tourists issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dated February …, 2022.

- Subjects: Foreigners, overseas Vietnamese nationals and Vietnamses citizens who are take part in the experimental programme on reception of international tourism.

- Scope: Carry out experimental reception of tourists by regular international charter or commercial flights to areas that satisfy requirements for reception of tourists.

- Requirements for a tourist:

(1) The tourist participates in a package tour of an international tour operator or a selected service provider within in the first 3 or 7 days (depending on his/her vaccination status).

(2) The tourist has a certificate of full COVID-19 vaccination approved by a Vietnamese competent authority and the last dose is administered for at least 14 days and within 12 month before the date of exit or has the certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or an equivalent document granted by a competent authority of the country in which the tourist undergoes treatment and approved by a Vietnamese competent authority. The period from the date of discharge to the date of exit must not exceed 06 months.

(3) A tourist aged under 18, person aged over 65, pregnant woman or person with underlying conditions (without monitoring and treatment at health facilities) has not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated must be accompanied by his/her parent/legal guardian/carer who has been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19; must comply strictly with testing requirements and COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.

(4) The tourist tests negative for SARS-CoV-2 (with RT - PCR/RT-LAMP method) within 72 hours before exiting and the testing result is certified by competent authorities of the country in which the tourist undergoes testing (except for children aged under 2).

(5) The tourist has health insurance or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of $20.000.

(6) The tourist satisfies exit and entry conditions according to the Vietnamese law on exit and entry.

- Procedure for reception of international tourists: Appendix 1

b) Starting from March 15, 2022:

- Subjects: Inbound and outbound international tourists.

- Scope: Tourists who enter Vietnam through international border checkpoints by air, land, sea and comply with regulations on safety based on epidemic levels in Vietnam.

- Requirements for a tourist:

(1) The tourist participates in a tour programme of an international tour operator.

(2) The tourist has a certificate of full COVID-19 vaccination approved by a Vietnamese competent authority and the last dose is administered for at least 14 days and within 12 month before the date of exit. or has the certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or an equivalent document granted by a competent authority of the country in which the tourist undergoes treatment and approved by a Vietnamese competent authority (for inbound tourists) or approved by the country/territory of destination (for outbound tourists). The period from the date of discharge to the date of exit must not exceed 06 months.

(3) A tourist aged under 18, person aged over 65, pregnant woman and person with underlying conditions (without monitoring and treatment at health facilities) has not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated must be accompanied by his/her parent/legal guardian/carer who has been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19; must comply strictly with testing requirements and COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.

(4) The tourist has negative result for SARS-CoV-2 with rapid test at his/her residence within 24 hours after entry.

(5) The tourist has health insurance or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of $20.000.

(6) The tourist satisfies exit and entry conditions according to the Vietnamese law on exit and entry.

- Procedure for reception of international tourists: Appendix 2

2. Domestic tourism

- Strictly implement Programme of Launch of domestic tourism, safety, flexibility and effective control of COVID-19 in document No. 4698/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated December 16, 2021 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

- Strictly implement Guideline No. 3862/BVHTTDL-TCDL dated October 18, 2021 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government promulgating an interim regulation “Safety and flexibility and effective control of COVID-19” in culture, sport and tourism.

- Local authorities shall publicize reopening of tourism, receive and provide services for tourists in accordance with each epidemic level in the areas associated with corresponding safety measures.

- (1) Travel service providers:

_­­+ Develop a plan/a procedure for safe reception of tourists according to Interim Guideline No. 3862/HD-BVHTTDL and relevant regulations of Tourism authorities, Health authorities and local authorities. Improve safety conditions for receiving and providing services for tourists, prepare plans available for handling problems that result from the epidemic according to regulations.

+ Disseminate, Strictly implement and provide guidance on strict implementation of epidemic prevention and control regulations of tourism authorities and appropriate authorities for workers.

+ Provide guidance and support tourists in implementing procedures for safe tourism. Carry out promotional, communication and tourism stimulus activities that are closely association with the rule "Safe tourism - Full experience" towards restarting domestic tourism. Develop and introduce domestic tourism stimulus packages with incentives, commitment to quality, development of new tourism products and services and tour programmes with new destinations.

- Tourists and people using tourism services:

+ Self-monitor their health and comply with 5K rules and anti-covid measures according to regulations.

+ Comply with regulations of their destinations, rules and instructions of tourism service providers.

+ Have health insurances or tourism insurances that cover COVID-19 treatment; cooperate with the tourism service providers and the authorities in prevention and control of Covid-19 in tourism.

3. On the basis of actual COVID-19 control situation and result of assessment of reception of international tourists during the beginning periods consider normalize tourism and remove requirements on tourists. Consider promulgation of some policies to stimulate demand and attract high-quality tourists to visit Vietnam for promoting development of trademarks and increase competitiveness.

IV. ORGANIZING IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry Of Culture, Sports and Tourism

a) Take charge and cooperate with local authorities in making a list of international tour operators and notify it to the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Public Security during the experimental stage of reopening to receive international tourists from now until March 15, 2022.

b) Take charge and cooperate in organizing tourism communication, promotion and dissemination.

c) Take charge and cooperate with ministries, central authorities and local authorities in implementing the Plan.

2. The Ministry of Health shall update medical instructions for people entering Vietnam and technical professional instructions on appropriate inspection, investigation and response to new epidemic clusters in the new normal, ensure reopening for safe and effective reception of international tourists.

3. The Ministry of Public Security/ the Ministry of Defense

a) Enable tourists and international tour operators to implement procedures for issuance of visa, entry and exit according to regulations; cooperate in ensuring safety, security and order for the tourists during the period of visiting in Vietnam.

b) Take charge of disseminating the use of QR codes to install “IGOVN” application for dissemination and guidance for foreigners.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

a) Update and publicize forms of Certificate of Vaccination or “vaccination passport” of nations or territories that are approved by Vietnam competent authorities.

b) Cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities in communication, promotion, dissemination and attraction of international tourists (inbound tourists).

5. The Ministry of Transport

a) Direct implementation of anti-covid measures on flights; arrangement of entry and exit locations and implementation of epidemiological control procedures; screening and segregation of passengers at international airports in order to serve the experimental programme for reception of inbound tourists on flights.

b) Require airlines to notify regulations for passenger transportation by air in the COVID-19 epidemic to tour operators and tourists, provide guidance on installing and declaring information on “IGOVN” and “PC-COVID” applications.

c) Direct airlines to increase proportion and scope of operation of regular international flights, especially key markets, in association with COVID-19 prevention and control assurance for people entering Vietnam.

6. The Ministry of Information and Communication

Give instructions on use of digital applications about epidemic safety used in entry, exit and movement in Vietnam for creating advantageous conditions for international tourists.

7. The People’s Committees of provinces

a) From now to March 15, 2022, provinces which receive international tourists according to their needs and conditions shall proactively decide the reception of international tourists and notify it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

b) Provinces which do not receive international tourists shall cooperate in providing resources of tourists wishing to visit their relatives or return to their residences. Assist in reception and medical supervision for the visitors wishing to visit their relatives and return to their registered residences.

c) Local authorities shall actively prepare conditions for reopening tourism, developing new and quality tourism products and services; unify the safe reception procedure, have plans to handle tourism-related medical incidents; direct local units to closely connect with service providers including aviation, transport and tour operators./.

APPENDIX 1

PROCEDURE FOR receiving INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS BY MARCH 14, 2022
(Issued together with the Plan for safe and effective reopening of tourism in the new normal)

1. Registering tour programmes

- Tourists choose and register tour programmes. Tour operators are responsible for notifying necessary procedures for registration to the tourists.

- The tour programmes shall only include the areas and service providers allowed to receiving the tourists with a duration of at least 3 days.

- The tourists wishing to change their purposes of entry after ending their tour programmes must register in advance with the tour operator. The tour operator shall notify the local authority of the area where the tourists' accommodations are located.

- After ending a tour programme, the tourists may register other tour programmes.

2. Inspecting and approving inbound passengers, granting visa and issuing certification of temporary residence

- International tour operators shall carry out procedures for inviting and sponsoring foreigners entering Vietnam at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security in accordance with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Before carrying out procedures, a tour operator shall notify its legal status enclosed with a document of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism certifying that it is selected to participate in the experimental programme; a contract for executing a tour programme in the permitted area with service providers eligible for receiving international tourists (within the first 03 days or 07 days as required).

- For a tourist entering Phu Quoc according to Resolution No. 80/NQ-CP dated May 25, 2020 of the Government or a visitor using of Certificate of Visa Exemption, it must be specified in form NA2 issued together with Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA dated January 5, 2015 of the Minister of Public Security. An application for entry approval must be enclosed with a health insurance contract or travel insurance covering covid-19 treatment when it is submitted to the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Public Security according to regulations.

- Within 02 working days from the date of receiving the written request, the Immigration Department shall issue a written response; if approved, the written response will also contain a QR code to download the IGOVN application.

- The duration of the entry visa must be suitable for the tour programme period. If the tourist continues to register other tour programmes in the areas permitted to receive international tourists, his/her temporary residence period may be extended under sponsorship of the tour operator. In case the travel time is over and the tourist wishing to continue to stay with his/her relatives, the Immigration shall change the entry purpose of their tourist under the guarantee of relatives.

- The tourist using the Certificate of Visa Exemption will be issued with a certificate of temporary residence for 06 months at the border checkpoint (if the duration of the Certificate of Visa Exemption is less than 06 months, the certificate of temporary residence will have the same expiration date á that of the Certificate of Visa Exemption). After completing the tour programme, the tourist using the Certificate of Visa Exemption will be allowed to continue to stay with his/her relatives (as requested) without having to follow the purpose changing procedures.

- In case of tourists who are Vietnamese citizens, the tour operator shall submit a list of inbound passengers to the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Public Security to carry out the procedures according to regulations.

3. Preparing before flights

- Before entering Vietnam, the tour operator should advise tourists monitoring their health, considering canceling/postponing the trip if there are symptoms of a suspected COVID-19 case or is close contact of a COVID-19 case before flight to the tourist.

- Every tourist must do a RT-PCR test within 72 hours before exit (except for children aged under 2).

- The tourists should pay attention to appropriate anti-covid measures on the plane before entering Vietnam.

- The tourists need to prepare the necessary documents as prescribed, except for online documents accepted by Vietnamese authorities and a negative RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours before exit to present to the airline and immigration authorities if requested.

4. Carrying out the immigration procedure

- The tourists shall undergo health screening at the International Airport of Entry, including temperature measurement and installation of the PC-COVID application for health declaration and health monitoring as prescribed by Vietnam competent authorities. The tourists shall be required to use the application throughout the tour programme in Vietnam.

- The tourists shall carry out procedures for entry at the International Airport according to regulations. A health authority at the airport shall check the medical conditions and border polices shall control entry, issue certificates of temporary residence, issue visas (if any) for foreigners entering at the international airport after the tourist has completed health procedures.

- The tourists shall self-monitor their health and comply with anti-covid measures according to regulations.

- In case a tourist has unusual symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breathing, body aches - fatigue - chills, decrease or loss of taste or smell or other symptoms as informed by the health authority, he/she must immediately notify the health authority at the airport for monitoring and handling according to regulations.

5. During the tour programme in Vietnam

5.1. General requirements

- The tour operator shall take the tourists to a vehicle and take them back to the accommodation establishment.

- The tourists may participate in the scheduled tour programme that is registered in advance according to the plan arranged by the travel operator, which may be changed according to the tourist’s needs. However, the tourists are not allowed to leave arranged reception area.

- Comply with anti-covid measures as prescribed by the competent health authority during all activities of the tourists and their tourism service provider.

- A local authority conducts inspection and supervision to ensure compliance with the tour schedule and ensure safety and Covid prevention and control of the tour operator, service provider and tourists.

- The accommodation establishment arranges rapid test kits in hotel rooms or provides them on request and recommends the tourists to self-test when needed and notify result to the accommodation establishment. The accommodation establishment self-monitor and store the tourist’s test result according to regulation.

- For the tourist changing the entry purpose, the tour operator must notify in writing local authority in which the tourist resides in order to cooperate in monitoring health and managing according to regulations.

5.2. Tourists who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19

- The tourists shall participate in the tour programme of an international tour operator for at least 03 days from the date of entry.

- The tourists shall self-monitor their health within the first 03 days from the date of entry. If any tourist has fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breathing, body aches - fatigue - chills, decrease or loss of taste or smell or has positive self-test result for COVID-19, he/she must immediately notify the tour operator and health workers for prompt testing and management.

- Undergo a test with RT-PCR method on the 3^rd day from the date of entry. If the test result is positive, implement regulations of the Ministry of Health. Treatment costs shall be covered by his/her insurance or by the tour operator. If the test result is negative for SARS-CoV-2, continue to monitor his/her health until the end of 14^th day from the date of entry.

- After receiving the negative result for COVID-19 with RT-PCR on the 3^rd day, the tourist may:

+ Continue participating in the registered tour programme (in case the programme period is over 3 days).

+ Participate in tour programmes and use services in provinces allowed to receive international tourists.

+ Return to the province where he/she has accommodation or where he/she visits relatives according to his/her registration. The tourist must submit a registration to the tour operator for notifying the local authority of the destination for cooperation in monitoring health and managing according to regulations.

- The tourists may leave Vietnam on regular international commercial flights in operation or licensed charter flights.

5.3. Tourists who have not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated shall:

- Participate in the tour programme of the tour operator within the first 7 days from the date of entry.

- Self-monitor their health for the first 07 days from the date of entry. If a tourist has fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breathing, body aches - fatigue - chills, decrease or loss of taste or smell or has positive self-test result for COVID-19, he/she must immediately notify the tour operator and health workers for prompt screening and management.

- Undergo a test with RT-PCR method on the 3^rd day and the 7^th day. If the test result is positive, the tourist shall implement regulations of the Ministry of Health. Treatment costs shall be covered by his/her insurance or by the tour operator. If the test result is negative for SARS-CoV-2, continue to monitor his/her health up to the end of 14^th day.

- Parent, legal guardian and carer who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 traveling with tourists who have not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated must comply with the same testing requirements and regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control applied to tourists who have not been vaccinated or fully vaccinated.

- After receiving the negative result for COVID-19 with RT-PCR on the 7^th day, the tourist may:

+ Continue to participate in the registered tour programme (in case the programme period is over 7 days).

+ Participate in tour programmes and use services in provinces allowed to receive international tourists.

+ Return to the province where he/she has registered residence or where he/she visits relatives. The tourist must submit a registration to the tour operator for notifying the local authority of the destination for cooperation in monitoring health and managing according to regulations.

- The tourist may leave Vietnam on regular international commercial flights in operation or licensed charter flights.

- In case a tourist participates in a tour programme for less than 07 days, after completing the tour programme, the tourist may leave Vietnam on regular international commercial flights in operation or licensed charter flights according to guidelines and procedures publicized by respective nations.

APPENDIX 2

PROCEDURES for reception of international tourists from March 15, 2022

1. Inspecting and approving inbound passengers, issuing visa and certificate of temporary residence

- The international tour operator shall carry out procedures for inviting and sponsoring foreigners entering Vietnam at Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security according to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence for foreigners in Vietnam.

- For a tourist entering Phu Quoc according to Resolution No. 80/NQ-CP dated May 25, 2020 of the Government or a visitor using of Certificate of Visa Exemption, it must be specified in form NA2 issued together with Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA dated January 5, 2015 of the Minister of Public Security. An application for entry approval must be enclosed with a health insurance contract or travel insurance covering covid-19 treatment when it is submitted to the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Public Security according to regulations.

- Within 02 working days from the date of receiving the written request, the Immigration Department shall issue a written response; if approved, the written response will also contain a QR code to download the IGOVN application.

- The duration of the entry visa must be suitable for the tour programme period. If the tourist continues to register other the tour programmes in the areas permitted to receive international tourists, his/her temporary residence period may be extended under sponsorship of the tour operator. In case the travel time is over and the tourist wishing to continue to stay with his/her relatives, the Immigration Department shall change the entry purpose of their tourist under the guarantee of relatives.

- The tourist using the Certificate of Visa Exemption will be issued with a certificate of temporary residence for 06 months at the border checkpoint (if the validity of the Certificate of Visa Exemption is less than 06 months, the certificate of temporary residence will have the same expiration date as that of the Certificate of Visa Exemption). After completing the tour programme, the tourist using the Certificate of Visa Exemption will be allowed to continue to stay with relatives (as requested) without having to follow the purpose changing procedures.

- In case of tourists who are Vietnamese citizens, the tour operator shall submit a list of inbound passengers to the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Public Security to carry out the procedures according to regulations.

2. Preparing before flights

- Before entering Vietnam, the tour operator should advise tourists on monitoring their health, considering canceling/postponing the trip if there are symptoms of a suspected COVID-19 case or is close contact of a COVID-19 case before flight to the tourist.

- The tourists should pay attention to appropriate anti-covid measures on the plane before entering Vietnam.

- The tourists need to prepare the necessary documents as prescribed, except for online documents accepted by Vietnamese authorities and a negative RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours before exit to present to the airline and immigration authorities if requested.

3. Carrying out the immigration procedure

- The tourists shall undergo health screening at the International Airport of Entry, including temperature measurement and installation of the PC-COVID application for health declaration and health monitoring as prescribed by Vietnam competent authorities. The tourist shall be required to use the application throughout the tour programme in Vietnam.

- The tourists shall carry out entry procedures at the International Airport according to regulations. A health authority at the airport shall check the medical conditions and border polices shall control entry, issue certificates of temporary residence, issue visas (if any) for foreigners entering at the international airport after the tourist has completed health procedures.

- The tourists shall self-monitor their health and comply with anti-covid measures according to regulations.

- In case a tourist has unusual symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breathing, body aches - fatigue - chills, decrease or loss of taste or smell or other symptoms as informed by the health authority, he/she must immediately notify the health authority at the airport for monitoring and handling according to regulations.

4. During the tour programme in Vietnam

- The tourists have negative results for SARS-CoV-2 with rapid tests within 24h at their residences after entry.

- The tourists shall be not required to undergo quarantine or retest after the period of residence in Vietnam but they must participate in the tour programmes organized by the tour operators in Vietnam./.