Austria, Thailand, Philippines open to Vietnam visitors

Vaccinated tourists from Vietnam, or those having recovered from the virus and bearing a negative certificate for Covid-19 will be allowed to enter Austria from July 1 after the Austrian government deemed Vietnam had the lowest Covid-19 risks.

If they fail to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test from Covid-19, they will be required to undergo a Covid test within 24 hours after arriving in Austria.

Thailand's famous Phuket Island reopened to foreign tourists since Thursday following a long period of economic woes caused by the Covid-19 crisis, allowing in vaccinated Vietnamese without quarantine.

According to Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat, Thailand currently welcomes travelers from 66 countries and territories with low Covid-19 risks to Phuket under the new tourism model.

They must obtain a certificate of entry at the Thai embassy where they are from. Then, within 72 hours before flying to Thailand, get a certificate showing negative Covid-19 test results.

Once in Phuket, tourists are also required to take three Covid-19 tests. The tests can be done at certified hotels or partner hospitals. If they test positive, tourists will be transferred to healthcare facilities for treatment.

The Filipino government on Wednesday also released a list of more than 50 countries and territories, including Vietnam, that have been identified as "green" or with a low coronavirus risk, Philippine News Agency reported.

Filipino authorities have approved shorter quarantine protocols for travelers from green countries in which passengers who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 would only have to spend seven days in quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, instead of the standard 10-day period at government-designated facilities and four days in their place of accommodation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month eased travel restrictions to many countries and territories, and placed Vietnam on its list of safest destinations.

Vietnam's containment of Covid was a worldwide success story until late April when a fourth wave caused by the delta variant first found in India began with 13,684 cases recorded so far.