VIET NAM SUSPENDS INBOUND FLIGHTS FOR FEAR OF NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to temporarily suspend inbound flights from countries and territories, firstly the UK and South Africa, that have reported new COVID-19 variants.

This is part of the Directive No. 01/CT-TTg signed by PM Phuc on strengthening prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government chief assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport to work out a list of countries and territories that the new regulations will apply to.

On 18 December, national authorities in South Africa announced the detection of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that is rapidly spreading in three provinces of South Africa. South Africa has named this variant 501Y.V2, because of a N501Y mutation.

Meanwhile, the UK has issued harsher restrictions to tackle the emergence of a new, more infectious variant of coronavirus that is spreading rapidly in southeast England.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new variant was up to 70% more transmissible than other variants, with it already accounting for over 62% of COVID-19 infections in London.

PM Phuc also tasked the Ministry of National Defense to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and People’s Committees of border provinces to strengthen border control in order to prevent illegal entrants.

The Ministry of National Defense and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall have to ensure that all entrants comply with 14-day mandatory quarantine at concentrated sites and medical surveillance for another 14 days after mandatory quarantine.

In case of uncovering new COVID-19 case, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense and People’s Committees of relevant provinces and cities shall have to promptly trace those having been in contact with the case and take necessary measures to prevent community transmissions.

Individuals and organizations who fail to comply with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control shall be strictly fined, PM Phuc ordered.

Thanks to drastic and early measures, Viet Nam has controlled the COVID-19 pandemic well, allowing the country to have more room for economic recovery and arrange rescue flights to bring home citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19.

As of 6:05 pm on Tuesday, the nation confirmed 1,494 COVID-19 patients, including 693 local infections.

Of the patient tally, 1,339 have recovered and exited hospitals while 35 others have been reported dead.

Source: VGP

Related News

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19

The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).

Apr 09, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1

Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.

Apr 09, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.

Apr 09, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES

Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.

Apr 09, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL

Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.

Apr 09, 2026

HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT

VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Apr 09, 2026