GOV'T HALTS VISA ISSUANCE TO FOREIGNERS TO STAUNCH COVID-19

The Government has decided to temporarily halt visa issuance to foreigners for 30 days, applicable since March 18.

This is the latest effort by the Government to staunch the COVID-19 pandemic which has spread swiftly across the world and caused serious consequences.

Foreigners enjoying visa-waiver program or overseas Vietnamese and their spouses and children having been granted with certificate of visa exemption shall only be allowed to enter Viet Nam if they can submit papers certifying they are not positive for the virus.

The aforesaid measure shall also be applied to foreigners who are experts, business managers, highly skilled workers upon arrival to Viet Nam.

All the above measures shall NOT be applicable to entrants for diplomatic or official purposes.

All entrants shall be medically checked and have to comply with the nation’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Additional quarantine measures

In addition to the current quarantine measures, the Government has decided that all incoming travelers from the US, Europe and ASEAN countries shall be subject to centralized quarantine.

Competent authorities shall supervise and medically monitor those who are not subject to centralized quarantine during their mandatory isolation at place of residence.

The Government also requested cut of incoming flights from COVID-19 stricken areas to Viet Nam. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Transport shall decide on the parking areas for flights from the above areas.

The Ministry of Health was asked to conduct COVID-19 diagnosis for entrants at airports.

Facemasks wearing

Under the current regulations, from March 16, all passengers on outbound and inbound flights are required to wear masks during the flight and flight taxiing in the airport.

The mask wearing policy is also applicable at public places with possible crowd such as supermarkets, airports, stations, public transportations etc.

Source: VGP

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA 2.0

As China continues to evolve into a global powerhouse in innovation, technology, and advanced manufacturing, understanding how to effectively engage with this market has never been more critical. Doing Business with China 2.0 is a flagship executive programme designed to equip business leaders with practical insights, strategic perspectives, and first-hand exposure to navigate China’s rapidly changing landscape.

Apr 17, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

VIETNAM TAPS AI TO CONNECT MILLIONS OF WORKERS WITH EMPLOYERS

Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs on April 14 launched a national job exchange at vieclam.gov.vn, a key digital platform designed to directly connect more than 53.6 million workers with nearly one million businesses. The platform goes beyond a conventional job portal, positioning itself as a nationwide data-integrated ecosystem. Its technological highlight is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically analyze and match job vacancies with workers’ skills and experience.

Apr 16, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

HCMC SET TO START WORK ON SEVEN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Ho Chi Minh City plans to simultaneously break ground on seven major infrastructure projects worth a combined VND380 trillion on the occasion of Vietnam’s Reunification Day (April 30). The projects are highly expected to unlock public investment and fuel economic growth. To prepare for the simultaneous launch, relevant departments and authorities have worked to streamline administrative procedures while maintaining legal compliance, with the goal of meeting conditions for groundbreaking on the occasion of the national holiday.

Apr 16, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM GETS US$2.64 BILLION FROM SEAFOOD EXPORTS IN Q1

Vietnam’s seafood sector booked around US$927 million in export revenue in March, bringing the total in the first quarter of this year to US$2.64 billion, showed data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). China was the primary export market in Q1. Other markets such as the U.S., Japan and South Korea imported less due to weakened consumer spending and stringent technical barriers.

Apr 16, 2026

HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT

VNAT EYES 25 MILLION FOREIGN VISITORS IN 2026

In the first quarter of the year, international arrivals amounted to 6.7 million, up 12.4% from a year earlier and the highest level on record. Domestic travel reached an estimated 37 million trips, with total tourism revenue at around VND267 trillion. Global developments pose risks. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have driven up fuel prices, increasing transport and tourism service costs.

Apr 16, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

US$250-MILLION DEAL ADVANCES VIETNAM’S GREEN CREDIT PUSH

Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) has secured a US$250-million sustainable financing package to support green agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), marking a major step in mobilizing international capital for priority sectors. The facility was arranged in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), alongside international partners including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Canada.

Apr 16, 2026