Vietnam scraps rapid Covid test requirements for int'l passengers

Passengers on international flights only need to present their Covid-19 PCR test results, according to document regarding international flights to Vietnam issued by the Government Office on Friday. Fully vaccinated people will be isolated at their residence or hotels for three days, and others for seven days.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh also agreed to increase the commercial flight frequency to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as Europe and Australia in the trial program for flight resumption.

The decision seeks to facilitate overseas Vietnamese returning home for Tet, the document added.

Vietnamese aviation officially reopened regular flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, Phnom Penh, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo on Jan. 1 this year.

Besides PCR test results, people coming from countries with Omicron had also been required to undergo rapid test before boarding a flight and after landing.

On January 4, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed that the quick test requirement be removed.