Official Vietnam Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Site

VietCanada wrote:

From VGP

VN to continue strict border control to prevent importation, reopen economy

13:10 | 06/05/2020

"VGP - As the COVID-19 pandemic still remains complicated around the world, Viet Nam will continue strict border control to prevent importation of new case as a premise for easing domestic restrictions in favor of reopening the economy, according to National Steering Committee.

From such perspective, diplomatic passport holders, foreign experts and businessmen must be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine with flexible forms upon their arrival to Viet Nam.

The nation will continue denying foreign tourists and strictly managing Vietnamese people returning home from abroad."

So it looks like I can go home and still come back under the businessman exception, albeit subject to the 14 day quarantine.  I wonder if those that are allowed to travel under the exception get to go to the resort quarantine instead of the "rice and fish sauce cement block wall rooms" quarantine?  I know I would have to pay for that service but it's worth it and it may back to being worth risking a trip to the US knowing I won't be in quarantine jail.

From VietNamNet news:

PM allows lifting of social distancing at schools

Vietnam considers resuming int'l flights with limited frequency

From DTiNews:
Airlines allowed to operate at full capacity, end seat distancing

" foreign experts and businessmen must be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine with flexible forms upon their arrival to Viet Nam."

Can anybody elaborate on the "flexible forms" above. What does it mean?
I had a trip cancelled to Laos. I've been in Vietnam since March 11th.
I just want to go to Laos for a week and back to Nam. In June.
Can anybody tell if it is possible, or where I can find this information about this.
Thanks

RealPommy wrote:

" foreign experts and businessmen must be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine with flexible forms upon their arrival to Viet Nam."

Can anybody elaborate on the "flexible forms" above. What does it mean?
I had a trip cancelled to Laos. I've been in Vietnam since March 11th.
I just want to go to Laos for a week and back to Nam. In June.
Can anybody tell if it is possible, or where I can find this information about this.
Thanks

http://news.chinhphu.vn/Home/Incoming-t … /39306.vgp

Thanks 

This is from CBC Canada.

What works to flatten the curve and what science says on easing restrictions

"The study, which appears in this week's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that putting two restrictions in place at once — such as closing schools and asking people to physically distance themselves — reduced the growth of new COVID-19 cases by at least 30 per cent."

"The study also shed light on what role climate may play in the epidemic's growth. The researchers found no association between local temperature or latitude and the spread of COVID-19.

"Unfortunately for all of us, the weather won't come to our help too much here," Juni said."

"It's very exciting to see that there is research being conducted and we finally have answers to questions that we had such as which measures are the most effective."

Here's the latest news about international travel and foreign tourists.
I saw this report on several news outlets this morning.

VN continues to close borders to foreign tourists

14:32 | 16/05/2020

"VGP – The Government of Viet Nam has announced that the country continues to close borders to foreign tourists in a bid to prevent importation of new COVID-19 cases.

Competent authorities are required to continue strict entry control and quarantine regulations to deter community transission. Foreign investors, experts, skilled workers, business managers, officials, and Vietnamese students learing aborad are allowed to enter the nation but they must comply with the nation's quarantine regulations."

Here's an interview with the head of the Oxford Uni Clinical Research Unit in HCMC. Informative. Apologies if posted already somewhere else.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/video … Glj4nPYrA4

It2VN wrote:

Apologies if posted already somewhere else.

No apologies needed.  This is by far the best coverage I have seen of why Vietnam was able to contain the virus while other countries have not.  In particular, I was informed by the interviewee's assessment that the Vietnamese response was not dependent on having a one-party state.  The doctor did point out that the UK has a unified basically socialist medical system but still failed to contain the virus.  All in all, an excellent piece.  Thank you.

Things are looking better for the UK pilot, well done doctors & nurses & hospital.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=548576615833362

Go the answer. You cannot leave and come back to Vietnam without quarantine.

Then  i leave and will not come back till the situation has changed. If ever.

Teaching English pro bona, I discussed the cost of this Wuhan virus lockdown. How many trillions of VND has it cost the nation? And saved, how many 1-2000 humans?

Last year, 2019 there where more than  19000 traffic accidents and more than 9000 died. How many trillions have the VN government spent to prevent that?

According my students, no trillions for the 9000 dead. It makes you wonder about the priorities.

Hello everyone,

This is a small reminder that the aim of this thread is to share official information from the government of Vietnam regarding COVID-19.

You may post such updates here.

However, for any other posts related to COVID-19, please share your thoughts by creating new topics or by participating on existing threads which deal with other aspects of COVID-19.

Thanking you in advance,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

RealPommy wrote:

How many trillions of VND has it cost the nation? And saved, how many 1-2000 humans?

Last year, 2019 there where more than  19000 traffic accidents and more than 9000 died. How many trillions have the VN government spent to prevent that?

According my students, no trillions for the 9000 dead. It makes you wonder about the priorities.

The priority was not on how many people were saved, it's how far the outbreak would've reached if the directly infected patients were not saved. 

The value of success is not how much it cost the nation to save lives, but how many lives were lost in this lengthy battle. 

Zero.  That's how many. 

To a country that has gone through more bloody wars, more devastasting disasters, and more shameful human blunders in its 5000 years of history than any historian can remember, the success it achieves in this  battle is worth every đồng of those trillions.

Some of the 19 000 victims of traffic accident may not agree.

RealPommy wrote:

Some of the 19 000 victims of traffic accident may not agree.

Any loss of life that could have been prevented is a loss.

But last time i check the unfortunate accident that cause the loss of life to one scooter rider was not infectious. Covid with one single infectious person walking the busy streets could potentially spread the virus to kill millions.

Scooter rider takes risks and can see that jumping a light could be lethal. Anyone walking down the road cannot see the virus

You got a point. I see that. And don't let us forget the big bougie man in all this, China. My students call the Chinese for their big, bad, bullying brother. A lot of truth in that.

But the fact is that there is a occupational group that has also been hit hard. Funeral homes. 50% failure of death due to less traffic. So that's probably right, Vietnam is the best in class.

RealPommy wrote:

Vietnam is the best in class.

Actually in prior years Vietnam lags behind several African countries by both per capita and per vehicle measures and more relevantly it lags substantially behind Thailand.

                         Fatalities per capita 100K             Fatalities per 100K vehicles
Thailand                              32.7                                                   60.2
Vietnam                               24.5                                                   55.0

Somalia had 6535 fatalities per 100,000 vehicles in 2016.   That is a staggering 6.5%.  Hard to beat that record.  Of course being shot at may add to the fatality rate.

It seems that back in March there was a window that opened briefly and then closed for holders of the VEC.  The Viet Consulate in SF posted a notice as of March 17 that "Foreigners enjoying visa-waiver program or overseas Vietnamese and their spouses and children having been granted with certificate of visa exemption shall only be allowed to enter Viet Nam if they can submit papers certifying they are not positive for the virus."  There was no indication of what certifying agencies would be accepted.

Then just four days later on 3/21, the window slammed shut.  "The validity of the Visa Exemption Certificates for persons of Vietnamese origin and their families shall also hereby be temporarily suspended. The aforementioned measures shall take effect from 00:00, 22 March 2020."  Talk about a fast turnaround on government policy.    I wonder if someone explained to them that when Trump said "Anybody that wants a test can get a test" it wasn't really true.  https://vietnamconsulate-sf.org/vi/2020 … eigners-2/https://vietnamconsulate-sf.org/vi/2020 … -viet-nam/

From a US Embassy Hanoi email today, about news that affects all expats:

RED text is highlighted by me, not the Embassy
----------------------------------------------------

Update to Government of Vietnam Policy Regarding Extension of Temporary Stay for Certain Foreigners - U.S. Embassy Hanoi and U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (July 1, 2020)

Location: Vietnam

Important Information for U.S. Citizens:

The Government of Vietnam announced it will extend its policy of automatic extension of temporary stay for foreigners in certain qualifying groups with plans to depart Vietnam through July 31, 2020.

U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who entered Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa on or after March 1, 2020, will be granted an automatic extension of stay through July 31, 2020, and may exit Vietnam during this period without having to apply for an extension of stay.
U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, may be considered for an automatic extension through July 31, 2020, provided that they can provide proof that they have been stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19 mandatory quarantine, treatment, or other reasons beyond their control by presenting an exit letter from their Embassy or consulate about their situation.  They must present these documents upon exiting Vietnam.
U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who do not fall under the above-mentioned categories, or who otherwise violate Vietnamese laws and regulations, will be subject to the penalties imposed by the Vietnamese government and its authorities.

U.S. citizens are reminded that they must declare their temporary stay with Vietnamese local authorities and complete a health declaration form during the extension period in accordance with local regulations.  The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City cannot ask local authorities to give individual U.S. citizens special treatment or exemptions from local laws.  U.S. citizens are responsible for directly addressing immigration-related problems with Vietnamese immigration authorities, such as overstaying a visa, visa extensions, visa renewals, and new visa applications.  Questions regarding Vietnamese visas should be referred to the Vietnamese Immigration Department at (024) 39387320. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate cannot act as a visa sponsor for U.S. citizens during their stay in Vietnam.

The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City may issue exit letters in support of U.S. citizens who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020 and who can present concrete plans to exit Vietnam by July 31.  U.S. citizens may request an exit letter here.

We recommend U.S. citizens check the Embassy's COVID-19 page daily for information, and register or update their information in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Well said. Unfortunately there will always be lives lost through accidents etc.vietnam should not be singled out for this when so many lives are wasted in the western world through countless addictions and needless gun laws and lack of care for the the family unit. I feel blessed to be in a country that did put their people first with common sense and at a monetary cost that compares to other so called civilised countries

Hangray47 wrote:

Well said.

You need to click on the Quote function underneath the post of the person to whom you want to reply.  Without quoting a previous post, no one would know what you're talking about and your comment would not receive any recognition you wish to achieve.

This is all still more than a little confusing!?

I'm a foreign expert (according to my work permit) and all reports I see say that experts are exempt from the travel embargo. So does that mean I can travel out of Vietnam to the UK and then back again?
If so, is this just for essential travel only? what defines essential travel?

Also, is my wife (who is not an expert) allowed to travel in and out with me?

Apologies for all the questions but I don't seem to be able to find any clear, concrete evidence to support this either way... I'm guessing there probably isn't as we all know ambiguity is key :-)

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

This is all still more than a little confusing!?

I'm a foreign expert (according to my work permit) and all reports I see say that experts are exempt from the travel embargo. So does that mean I can travel out of Vietnam to the UK and then back again?
If so, is this just for essential travel only? what defines essential travel?

Also, is my wife (who is not an expert) allowed to travel in and out with me?

Apologies for all the questions but I don't seem to be able to find any clear, concrete evidence to support this either way... I'm guessing there probably isn't as we all know ambiguity is key :-)

Your last paragraph is the key I think  but even as an expert as far as I can make out you are still subject to 2 weeks quarantine when you come back.......right?

goodolboy wrote:

Your last paragraph is the key I think  but even as an expert as far as I can make out you are still subject to 2 weeks quarantine when you come back.......right?

I believe that to be the case and know that 3 and 4 star hotels in HCM have been assigned as quarantine centers. But, before i even get to that point, I need to know whether I qualify to fly and return, and also if my wife can piggy back with me.

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Your last paragraph is the key I think  but even as an expert as far as I can make out you are still subject to 2 weeks quarantine when you come back.......right?

I believe that to be the case and know that 3 and 4 star hotels in HCM have been assigned as quarantine centers. But, before i even get to that point, I need to know whether I qualify to fly and return, and also if my wife can piggy back with me.

Certainly,  for these specific questions for which you need absolutely certain answers, you must contact immigration directly so that your specific case can be evaluated.

We can only give you the same general information that you've already heard and mentioned.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Certainly,  for these specific questions for which you need absolutely certain answers, you must contact immigration directly so that your specific case can be evaluated.

We can only give you the same general information that you've already heard and mentioned.

Yes, agreed. I can't say I'm entirely confident they would be able to give me the correct answer either, or if they actually know.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

The more that I consider it the more I'm not willing to take the risk of going and coming back under the "expert" category.  Even as a business owner on top of "expert" I'm hesitant to push it.  This is mainly due to the luck of the draw when arriving and meeting with a random immigration agent who is going to review and approve or not approve based on his own interpretation of the rule.

I think it is going to be reserved for cases like these planeloads of Koreans that have arrived to run a factory or groups to work on the Metro or a large electrical project.  It's a catchall that they will use when it suits Vietnam, not the individual.

I was going to make a trip home for December but with my wife and daughter's pending interviews for immigration visa applications I'm not going to take a chance missinng the interview because I can't get back.  They could schedule it anytime between now and January based on the "normal" two month backlog after paperwork approval plus an estimated three months backlog from COVID shutdown at the embassy.  The reason it could be faster is the US Consulate is only processing CR1/IR1 spousal and child visas right now so everyone applying for a tourist, K1 fiance, student visas are on hold to the US.

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Your last paragraph is the key I think  but even as an expert as far as I can make out you are still subject to 2 weeks quarantine when you come back.......right?

I believe that to be the case and know that 3 and 4 star hotels in HCM have been assigned as quarantine centers. But, before i even get to that point, I need to know whether I qualify to fly and return, and also if my wife can piggy back with me.

Is your wife from the UK or Vietnam.?

colinoscapee wrote:

Is your wife from the UK or Vietnam.?

She's English.

SteinNebraska wrote:

This is mainly due to the luck of the draw when arriving and meeting with a random immigration agent who is going to review and approve or not approve based on his own interpretation of the rule

And there is the crux of it. Agree entirely with the above statement.

SteinNebraska wrote:

I think it is going to be reserved for cases like these planeloads of Koreans that have arrived to run a factory or groups to work on the Metro or a large electrical project

Just announced that 3953 South Koreans will be entering VN from 29th July.

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Is your wife from the UK or Vietnam.?

She's English.

Yeah, getting out is fine, getting back in will be the problem. Not worth the risk unless you can get it in writing from immigration.

colinoscapee wrote:

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Is your wife from the UK or Vietnam.?

She's English.

Yeah, getting out is fine, getting back in will be the problem. Not worth the risk unless you can get it in writing from immigration.

Just guessing, but I would think such an approval would have to be in reply to a formal request from the sponsor of the expert.

The website of the Ministry of Health is not yet showing this news (at the time of this post).

However, this is the link just sent out by the MOH official Zalo app account (Translation into English by Google Translate app):

~~~~~


Ministry of Health provides quick information on suspected COVID-19 cases in Da Nang

14:30 24/07/2020

Noon on 24/7, the Ministry of Health had quick information on suspected COVID-19 cases in Da Nang. The patient is a 57-year-old male living in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City

The Ministry of Health has received a report from Da Nang Department of Health on suspected cases in Da Nang, specifically as follows:
The patient is a 57-year-old male living in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City. In a recent month, the patient was only in Da Nang city, did not go out, every day rarely went to the commune from the accommodation area, only stayed at home to look after his grandchildren, communicate with surrounding neighbors, no contact with stranger.
On 20/7/2020, patients with fever, cough, and sputum should visit C Danang Hospital at 8:25 and suspect COVID-19.
Immediately after receiving the information on the suspected case mentioned above, the Ministry of Health instructed the Danang Department of Health to direct the Da Nang City Disease Control Center (CDC) in collaboration with Hospital C Danang conducts monitoring and testing of samples.
The results of the 1st screening test on 23/7/2020 by RT-PCR method showed positive results for SARS-CoV-2 virus, in the afternoon of the same day, the second sampling time also showed positive results. Samples were transferred to Nha Trang Pasteur Institute and National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to confirm.
The Department of Health also conducted samples on the night of close contact with patients at Hospital C, Da Nang Hospital, patient's family, patient's daughter and patient's mother. Results of 102 samples were sampled with SARS-CoV-2.
The Department of Health has also directed units to conduct epidemiological investigation measures, identify close contacts, conduct isolation, localize the area and subjects.
When the test results are confirmed, the Steering Committee will continue to inform
peaceful

Ministry of Health update regarding new COVID-19 case in Đà Nẵng

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

The website of the Ministry of Health is not yet showing this news (at the time of this post).

However, this is the link just sent out by the MOH official Zalo app account (Translation into English by Google Translate app):

~~~~~


Ministry of Health provides quick information on suspected COVID-19 cases in Da Nang

14:30 24/07/2020

Noon on 24/7, the Ministry of Health had quick information on suspected COVID-19 cases in Da Nang. The patient is a 57-year-old male living in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City

The Ministry of Health has received a report from Da Nang Department of Health on suspected cases in Da Nang, specifically as follows:
The patient is a 57-year-old male living in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City. In a recent month, the patient was only in Da Nang city, did not go out, every day rarely went to the commune from the accommodation area, only stayed at home to look after his grandchildren, communicate with surrounding neighbors, no contact with stranger.
On 20/7/2020, patients with fever, cough, and sputum should visit C Danang Hospital at 8:25 and suspect COVID-19.
Immediately after receiving the information on the suspected case mentioned above, the Ministry of Health instructed the Danang Department of Health to direct the Da Nang City Disease Control Center (CDC) in collaboration with Hospital C Danang conducts monitoring and testing of samples.
The results of the 1st screening test on 23/7/2020 by RT-PCR method showed positive results for SARS-CoV-2 virus, in the afternoon of the same day, the second sampling time also showed positive results. Samples were transferred to Nha Trang Pasteur Institute and National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to confirm.
The Department of Health also conducted samples on the night of close contact with patients at Hospital C, Da Nang Hospital, patient's family, patient's daughter and patient's mother. Results of 102 samples were sampled with SARS-CoV-2.
The Department of Health has also directed units to conduct epidemiological investigation measures, identify close contacts, conduct isolation, localize the area and subjects.
When the test results are confirmed, the Steering Committee will continue to inform
peaceful

Ministry of Health update regarding new COVID-19 case in Đà Nẵng

Yes, they stated, that there will be a fifth test before this might be confirmed
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/202 … 55764.html

I really hope, that it is a false alert, but good, that the system here really takes it serious

I think if they tested more people they may find more cases.

No one has ever proved or disproved if people can be carriers..

Seems unlikely to have just one case in a city the size of Da Nang

goodolboy wrote:

Overweight Unicorn wrote:

This is all still more than a little confusing!?

I'm a foreign expert (according to my work permit) and all reports I see say that experts are exempt from the travel embargo. So does that mean I can travel out of Vietnam to the UK and then back again?
If so, is this just for essential travel only? what defines essential travel?

Also, is my wife (who is not an expert) allowed to travel in and out with me?

Apologies for all the questions but I don't seem to be able to find any clear, concrete evidence to support this either way... I'm guessing there probably isn't as we all know ambiguity is key :-)

Your last paragraph is the key I think  but even as an expert as far as I can make out you are still subject to 2 weeks quarantine when you come back.......right?

As for the UK, as far as I am aware, travelers from Vietnam are exempted from quarantaine.  However, there might be requirements ...not sure if and what precisely.
The airline pilot (patient 91) did get some sort of "Covid-free" paperwork for his return just a few days ago

colinoscapee wrote:

I think if they tested more people they may find more cases.

yep, a world wide issue.
I think Luxemburg is likely to become the first country, to be tested 100%. One of the richest nations, so small, that they  should marry only foreigners, to avoid inbreeding.
Even if they are all tested (one or two times) - there still remains a problem; Covid 19 can be only over a (un)certain number of days detected by some people whilst other people carry "dead" Covid viri material for ages  .... anthers do again different ...
I still see all the results of medical science similar to lottery results - nothing mathematical logic or accurate/common. Leave alone, that the virus also changes to different strains ...

Jlgarbutt wrote:

No one has ever proved or disproved if people can be carriers..

Seems unlikely to have just one case in a city the size of Da Nang

If one got it, then he didn't make it, but caught it from someone/somewhere and that one again .....
I can't really imagine, that such virus "jumping" from animals to human just suddenly happens multiple times .... There can be only ONE patient 0