Experience about Vietnam’s entry procedure in the Covid time
In early May 2021, I had the chance to come to Vietnam for a business trip as being an engineer. It is the first time I have come to the capital city of Vietnam named Hanoi so I took a little bit of research and find out Vietnam has suspended tourist visa for all passport holders. Only Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers are allowed to enter the country at this time. Hence, the below article shows all my processing of how to take a visa in covid-19 time.
How did I search for a travel agency that offers this service?
I asked relatives and friends for advice and searched online for keywords like “visa” and “enter Vietnam” to learn how to obtain an entry visa to Vietnam for foreigners. But there was too much information, and I didn’t know which company to choose. Fortunately, an acquaintance referred me to a reputable travel agency in Hanoi where she had used their visa extension service.
After getting information about this company, I contacted them directly to inquire about visa services for foreigners, and the staff provided me with very enthusiastic and detailed advice. I chose the company as a foreign visa service provider after considering what the company’s team advised and what I discovered on my own.
What are the requirements for obtaining a visa to enter Vietnam as a foreign expert?
Condition 1: Only those who meet the requirements can apply for a visa to enter Vietnam
- Foreigners are diplomats, experts, investors, business managers, high-tech workers, and their relatives.
- Individuals are invited to participate by agencies or organizations lawfully operating in Vietnam.
- Foreign students come to Vietnam to study.
Condition 2: To apply for a visa to enter Vietnam, a company guarantee is required
Foreign specialists must be assured by a firm, agency, or organization in order to apply for a visa to enter Vietnam. That company/agency/organization must, in particular, commit to guiding the implementation of quarantine and isolation monitoring in accordance with legislation.
Condition 3: In line with applicable legislation, prepare and process entrance visa applications
Condition 4: Visitors are not from countries to which Vietnam has imposed a temporary ban on admission
Procedures for Visa on arrival to Vietnam for foreign experts and some notes
Step 1:
Request a letter of consent from the Vietnamese People’s Committee
I explained why I want to enter Vietnam -> Travel agency compiled a dossier and sent it to the city or province’s People’s Committee for approval. The application will be received in a different location depending on where the company is registered.
Step 2:
Apply to the Immigration Department for an entry dispatch letter
The following information is included in the entry dispatch to Vietnam:
- Information on foreigners who will visit Vietnam.
- Name and address of the organization or business inviting foreigners to be sponsored.
- Depending on the circumstances, foreigners’ entry period into Vietnam and the location where they receive their Vietnam visa can be the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate abroad or the international border gate (Airport, land border gate…).
Step 3:
Confirmed the reservation of the isolation hotel and the airport shuttle; purchased health insurance; and purchased flight tickets.
Travel agency did this after receiving permission from the People’s Committee and the Vietnam Immigration Department to enter the country. (Travel agency assisted me in booking hotels ranging from three to five stars and I chose hotel four stars; shuttled to and from the airport on request; and purchased COVID-19 health insurance and expert air tickets to arrive in Vietnam.)
Step 4:
As long as I had enough admission paperwork from the Immigration Department, as well as People’s Committee approval of entry… the airport’s customs stamped it. At the airport, I filled out a registration form with the necessary details.
NOTE: Before entering Vietnam, I must be tested for SARS-CoV-2 using the Real-time – PCR technology within three to seven days of the date of entrance. A government-approved laboratory or one that is part of the World Health Organization’s laboratory system
Got off the plane and went to quarantine
After I stepped off the plane, the travel agency staff met me at the airport and drove me to a hotel to self-quarantine for 21 days quarantine, I took SARS-CoV-2 samples at least three times. When I arrived on my first day, on my 14th, and on my 20th. As a result of the hotel quarantine, I had to stay at home for an additional seven days. And I received the full service that the company agreed to in the contract.
This is the procedure for obtaining a visa to enter Vietnam as a foreign expert, and after a month in Vietnam, I want to see the beautiful countryside, so I called this travel agency again and received the same excellent advice and service as before.