Isn’t it about time Vietnam opens its borders?

After so long seeing the country’s hospitality industry suffer, Vietnam needs to open up to international travellers, and soon.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said last week, that Vietnam must be prepared to safely reopen tourism, ideally at the end of March and no later than the end of April.

The PM said the correct time for Vietnam to reopen its tourism would be when certain groups of the population have received their third Covid-19 vaccine shots and appropriate immigration control policies are in place.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had proposed for Vietnam to completely reopen tourism starting March 31 to receive international tourists and let people travel abroad through all channels.

High Season

One crucial factor is that many western vacationers like to avoid their bitter winters to enjoy some warm sunshine in Asia.

That is why from October to April is known historically as “high season.”

Of course, it is still fine to visit after April, however, the weather can be unpredictable, and the sun also shines then across Europe too. 

Eleven airlines and travel firms last week petitioned the government to announce by early February the timeline for fully reopening the country to foreign tourists.

Of course, if travel agents cannot offer international vacationers guaranteed seats soon, they will travel elsewhere, with places like Dubai with their relaxed regulations a big bonus, getting the lion’s share of sun-seekers.

With the Omicron virus, not proofing as serious as previous variants, do you think the Prime Minister should bit the bullet and press go now for tourism to start across Vietnam?

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