Asia Travel Holiday

OFFICIAL REPORT ABOUT THE COVID PANDEMIC OF VIETNAM ON Dec 6-21 - 17:00PM (Source: Ministry of Health)
I / New infections on Dec 6-21
- Nationwide: 14,591 cases.
Including Saigon 1,174 cases / 8 %
-Sickness recovery: 1.130 cases
-Vaccinated: 396,664 doses.
-Death: 223 cases . Including Saigon is 94 cases. 42 %
II / Covid pandemic nationwide information:
-Grand total infections: 1,323,683 cases (the statistics from April 27-21 is 1,318,381 cases ) including Saigon Is. 479,483 cases - 36 %
- Sickness recovery: 1,010,407 cases - 76 %
-Illness inpatient: x? cases
-F0 Inpatient (hospital treatment): x?
-F0 Outpatient (home treatment): 52,000 cases is counted on 20/11/21.
-Critically ill patient: 7,006 cases.
-Death: 26,483 cases / 2 % (includes 17,000 cases is counted in Saigon to the date 18/11/21)
III / Vaccinated: 127,828,796 injections ( The set standard ofmillions inhabitants quantity of the country’s population )
-1 dose: 79,393,169 - 82 h% of the total population under 18 years old.
- full doses: 54,435,627 - 56 % of the total population under 18 years old. ./.

COVID-19 in Vietnam: Travel Updates and Restriction

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country. As of October 22, 2021, Vietnam had confirmed 877,537 cases of COVID-19 with 21,487 deaths, though 798,124 of the patients, had recovered.
Those planning to travel to Vietnam should be aware of the latest restrictions currently in place:
Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners since March 22, 2020, until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure does not apply to diplomats, officials, foreign investors, experts, and skilled workers.

From October 21, Vietnam’s Transport Ministry scrapped the full vaccination requirement for domestic air passengers. However, passengers from high-risk areas or locked-down areas would still need a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to their flights. Passengers from other areas would need one of the following, such as a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination, or a COVID-19 recovery certificate.

Vietnam has temporarily recognized COVID-19 vaccine passport or certificates from 72 countries including China, the US, UK, UAE, Thailand, India, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Germany, France, Cambodia, and Canada among others to facilitate the entry of foreign arrivals who are fully vaccinated.
Vietnam’s Immigration Department announced automatic visa extensions until October 31, 2021, for foreigners that entered the country on visa waiver programmes, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1. The measure applies to those who entered Vietnam since March 1, allowing them to leave the country without any penalty or paperwork until October 31, 2021.

Domestic flights resumed on October 1 under a four-phase plan. Flights resumed with localities that have relaxed pandemic prevention and control measures.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City relaxed social distancing measures on September 21 and October 1 respectively to help recover the economy with pandemic prevention controls. Residents Ho Chi Minh City must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and obtain a QR code through the mandated health apps for movement within the city.
Vietnam has cut the centralized quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals to 7 days from the previous 14. Arrivals must also test negative for the virus within 72 hours before arrival and would then be required to self-monitor for another 7 days after the quarantine period. In addition, those infected with COVID-19 and have certificates that they have recovered from the virus within six months would also have their quarantine period reduced. The government is yet to provide further details and date for implementation.
Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumed some international flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South Korea, Japan, and Australia from April 3. Low-cost carrier VietJet has also resumed services including to Taiwan and Thailand. However, only repatriated approved Vietnamese citizens and approved foreign experts will be allowed to enter Vietnam.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the government consider gradually resuming international flights in the three stages throughout the year.
Vietnam and Japan have agreed to lift mandatory quarantine for short-term visits for businesspeople and officials from November 1. However, this will be done as per strict health protocols including testing and medical surveillance. Details of the protocols and procedures are yet to be released.

The government on September 15 issued Notice No 330/TB-VPCP allowing Vietnamese carriers to resume international air routes with six countries – these are Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Vientiane (Laos). However, incoming travelers will need to present a negative RT-PCR test three days before departure and test again on arrival in Vietnam. Commercial flights, however, are yet to resume pending further instructions from government authorities.

Foreign employees will be allowed to quarantine at the company’s factory, the company headquarters, or at a designated hotel/facility. In addition, if they test negative twice, they could be released and self-quarantine at their residence or company headquarters in accordance with local health authorities.

While Vietnam Airlines began one-way flights to Japan on September 19, carriers will release specific schedules for air routes after official confirmation from the authorities.
On August 31, the Ministry of Health lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreign experts, investors, managers, and diplomats on short business trips of less than 14 days. However, they must comply with all other health measures and must follow their scheduled itinerary. If after 14 days they wish to stay in Vietnam, they can do so without quarantining, provided they test negative for the virus.

Vietnamese authorities will charge a quarantine fee for anyone entering Vietnam from September 1. However, the medical treatment of Vietnamese nationals in case they are infected by the pandemic will be covered by the state budget. Foreign nationals are required to pay for their own medical treatment. International arrivals who opt to stay at government quarantine facilities are required to pay at least VND 120,000 (US$5) per day.

Foreign employees that want to enter Vietnam should ensure they have a sponsor who can assist in obtaining the necessary paperwork and be prepared for a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival in Vietnam
Vietnam will grant e-visa to citizens of 80 countries from July 1, 2020 as per Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP. Details on the list of countries can be accessed here. While this is a positive sign, Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors due to the pandemic and the government has not made any official statement on when the borders will reopen.
Vietnam’s Immigration Department on May 18 announced automatic visa extensions until June 30 for foreigners that entered the country on visa waiver programmes, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1.

Foreigners that entered the country before March 1 including those with temporary residence permits will also be entitled to extensions till September 30 but must present proof of documents such as health declarations and official documents from embassies. For assistance, applicants can call the immigration helpline at 0243.9387320.
Travelers that are still in Vietnam can call the Tourist Helpline at +84378173371 for guidance on visas, accommodation, hospitals, embassy, or consulate details. The helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time.

Vietnam lifted social isolation measures on April 23 with most businesses resuming operations. Nevertheless, measures such as wearing face masks and observing strict hygiene standards remain in place.

As of 12:00 pm on March 15, Vietnam suspended all visas and will deny entry to travelers from the UK and the 26 Schengen countries; this includes travelers that have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days. This will be effective for 30 days.
In addition, Vietnam has suspended visa on arrival for all foreign nationals except for those on official or diplomatic trips. Those who currently hold visas to enter Vietnam will need to undergo screenings and may be quarantined when entering the country.

From March 7, all travelers coming to Vietnam will be required to submit a health declaration upon arrival. Passengers can fill out this declaration at the airport or submit it online via this link (picture below).
Those that are assessed to have symptoms of the epidemic will be transferred to designated health facilities for isolation.
There is a temporary ban on travelers with travel history to mainland China, except for those on official or diplomatic missions.
We have also heard of travelers in more remote border crossings into Vietnam being denied entry if they possess any China visa history in their passport. If travel is required, we recommend using the main border entry-exit points.

Do not travel if you are sick; those that travel while sick, risk being quarantined, and undergo tests.
Visa-free travel has been suspended for South Korean and Italian nationals as well as ethnic Vietnamese from these countries. In addition, travelers arriving from or those that have transited through Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk in South Korea in the past 14 days will be denied entry.
In addition, visa-free travel has also been suspended for eight countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK from March 9.

Travelers from China that are permitted to enter Vietnam, as well as those from South Korea, Iran, and Italy, are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon entry.
Flights and passenger trains, as well as various border crossings to mainland China, remain suspended.
All Vietnam carriers have suspended flights to South Korea, while other foreign airlines have reduced the number of flights significantly between Vietnam and South Korea.
Flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao remain operational though they are operating with reduced capacity.

Additional restrictions are possible for travelers when they return to their country of origin, including entry restrictions and quarantine.
The Vietnamese government officially declared COVID-19 as an epidemic on February 1, with authorities taking swift and strict measures to contain the virus.
Several Vietnamese businesses, residential complexes, and restaurants have installed their own preventative measures to keep customers safe.

Due to the epidemic, travelers should monitor restrictions and comply with advisories issued by the local and national authorities.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is updating about the epidemic here, while the Tourism Ministry has also listed travel updates here.

In addition, basic precautions one can take to reduce their risk to the coronavirus as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) are:
Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub;
Cover nose and mouth with tissues or inside of elbow when coughing or sneezing;
Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms;
Thoroughly cook meat and eggs; and
Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.

Vietnam to fully reopen by June 2022

Hanoi — Vietnam is planning to reopen key tourist destinations to vaccinated visitors from countries deemed a low COVID-19 risk from December, the government said on Wednesday, October 6, ahead of a full resumption targeted for June next year.
Vietnam imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic in an effort to keep out COVID-19, with some initial success, but that harmed its burgeoning tourism sector, which typically accounts for about 10% of gross domestic product.

Last month, the country announced it would reopen the resort island Phu Quoc for vaccinated travelers from
November.

Fom December, Vietnam will also allow tourists from approved countries to visit UNESCO world heritage site Halong Bay and Hoi An, the highlands town of Dalat and beach destination Nha Trang. It is not yet clear which countries will meet the criteria.
"We are only open when it's truly safe," the government said in a statement.
"We are moving step by step, cautiously but flexibly to adapt to real situations of the pandemic."
The move follows similar steps taken by neighboring Thailand, which will next month expand locations in its pilot scheme to allow vaccinated visitors.

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam fell to 3.8 million last year down from 18 million in 2019, when tourism revenue was $31 billion, equivalent to 12% of GDP.
The country is trying to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations, with just 13% of its 98 million people inoculated so far, one of the lowest rates in Asia

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Việt Nam đất nước ta ơi
Mênh mông biển lúa đâu trời đẹp hơn
Cánh cò bay lả dập dờn
Mây mờ che đỉnh Trường Sơn sớm chiều.

Honor to sappers who built the bridge.
https://youtu.be/1xVKQWPCsRg

LITTLE BEAR AT WORK - the story of Bridge 6 In 1971, 17 Construction Squadron, RAE, constructed a bridge across the Song Ray river in the South of Vietnam.Know as Bridge 6, It was the largest piece of ...

Tour cánh cung Tây Bắc
https://asiatravelholiday.com/ha-noi-moc-chau-dien-bien-phu-son-la-sapa-den-hung-ha-noi

Vietnam with her beauty and charming that touch to any heart from this clip.
Have a look for gplipse of Vietnam.
https://youtu.be/8c2cS1Jylgo

Việt Nam từ trên cao - A glimpse of Vietnam from above Dọc theo chiều dài đất nước hình chữ S thân thương, đâu đó ta bắt gặp những hình ảnh rất đẹp và rất đời thường. Video được tạo ra trong hành trình quay 5 năm...

Vietnam to grant e-visa to the citizens of 80 countries from July 1st

The 79/NQ-CP resolution was issued in line with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry Into, Exit From, Transit Through and Residence in Vietnam.

The 80 countries include Austria, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, the UAE, Germany, India, South Korea, the U.S., Italy, Finland, France, China, Brazil, Canada, Russia, the UK, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, and more.

The resolution also details eight airports, 16 land border gates, and 13 sea border gates where foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam with an e-visa.

The eight airports are Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa Province, Da Nang in the namesake city, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Can Tho in the eponymous city, Phu Quoc in Kien Giang Province, and Phu Bai in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

The 16 land border gates include Tay Trang in Dien Bien Province, Mong Cai in Quang Ninh Province, Huu Nghi in Lang Son Province, Lao Cai in the namesake province, Na Meo in Thanh Hoa Province, Nam Can in Nghe An Province, Cau Treo in Ha Tinh Province, Cha Lo in Quang Binh Province, La Lay and Lao Bao in Quang Tri Province, Bo Y in Kon Tum Province, Moc Bai and Xa Mat in Tay Ninh Province, Tinh Bien and Song Tien in An Giang Province, and Ha Tien in Kien Giang Province.

The 13 ports of entry by sea are Hon G*i and Cam Pha in Quang Ninh Province, Hai Phong in the eponymous city, Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa Province, Vung Ang in Ha Tinh Province, Chan May in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Da Nang in the namesake city, Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai Province, Vung Tau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Ho Chi Minh City in the namesake city, and Duong D**g in Kien Giang Province.

https://youtu.be/4M-RkfaH7UE

Anzac Day - Lest we forget It was almost the last and largest number of Australian and New Zealander to be there for Anzac Day 2015.

http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-35.pdf

Thank to Australia Tunnel Rats with the trip 2019. You did a brilliant & great trip again which most of your interest and favorite palaces on tours. Bring more experience to what the historical site are on war.

Về thăm quê Bác chiều mùa thu. Visit uncle Ho's homeland with Asia Travel Service.

Just few days more will be Long Tan Day in the Phuoc Tuy province, now Long Tan village, Baria Vungtau. The rubber tree plantation may have no more, banana garden instead. More clear to see the Nui Dat 2 behind.

Đi để mà yêu thương. Đi để mà trở về.
https://asiatravelholiday.com/da-lat-04-ngay-03-dem-bang-xe

Người ta vẫn thường nói chiều Đà Lạt vừa đẹp như tranh vừa lành như đất. Đến Đà Lạt với những kỷ niệm đan xen. Không phải chỉ có nhớ đất, nhớ hồ nước, nhớ cây, nhớ núi… mà còn nhớ người.
Cùng khám phá có một Đà Lạt góc riêng.
https://asiatravelholiday.com/da-lat-goc-rieng-04-ngay

https://asiatravelholiday.com/collections/tour-nuoc-ngoai

The mirror.

South of Vietnam: https://asiatravelholiday.com/central-of-vietnam-05-days

Northern: https://asiatravelholiday.com/northern-of-vietnam-05-days

and the best of Center Vietnam: https://asiatravelholiday.com/central-of-vietnam-05-days

DescriptionNanning, a city in southern China near the Vietnam border, is capital of the Guangxi region. With a warm tropical climate, it's known for green spaces such as People's Park, which includes expansive White Dragon Lake, a hilltop fort and a botanical garden. Displays at the Guangxi Museum include hundreds of bronze and copper drums, important artifacts of the region's indigenous people.

Why do Trump & Kim chose Vietnam to meet for a second time on Feb. 27 & 28, 2019
Vietnam makes logistical sense, and holds symbolic significance for both Trump and Kim.

Why Vietnam?

Logistics
Unlike the time when Kim had to use a Chinese plane to travel from Pyongyang to Singapore for his first summit with Trump, he can comfortably utilise his Soviet-made, Cold War-era plane to travel to Hanoi.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the distance from Pyongyang to Hanoi will be two-thirds of the distance to Singapore.

It will take just four hours over friendly territory that is largely Chinese, according to Bloomberg.

Also, Vietnam has diplomatic relations with both North Korea and the U.S., making it a good neutral venue for the meeting.

Vietnam offers tight security control as well, which means there would be little to no disruption to the meetings.

Protests are restricted and security forces are expected to be on high alert during the event.

The country also has a proven track record of hosting several high-profile events that world leaders attended, such as the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings and the World Economic Forum last year in Da Nang.

Communist like North Korea, but richer
Back in 2012, Kim vowed to bring economic growth to the country.

And Vietnam is the perfect example of a country which has employed capitalist practices under a Communist leadership, and achieved fast-growing economic progress.

Kim could use the trip as a learning opportunity for his own country, much like what he did when he came to Singapore.

Using Vietnam to counter China’s influence
China is North Korea’s largest trade partner and aid donor.

It is also currently engaged in a trade war with the U.S. that has no signs of dying down soon.

Cheon Seong Whun, a visiting research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, told AFP that by choosing to meet in Vietnam, Washington could signal to Beijing that North Korea is “not in your hands”, and that they have a counterbalance to Chinese influence in the region.

The same holds for Vietnam as well.

CSIS senior associate Murray Hiebert told AP that in light of Vietnam’s ongoing rivalry with China in the South China Sea, hosting a high-profile summit like this would help Hanoi hedge against Beijing.

Foe turned friend
Vietnam as a venue holds symbolic significance for both North Korea and the U.S.

Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S. were severed for 20 years since the two countries fought a devastating war that ended in the 1970s.

Vu Minh Khuong, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, told AP that by choosing Vietnam, both Trump and Kim wish to send a “strong strategic message to the world”.

“… they are willing to make a breakthrough decision to turn an enemy into a friend and together make the world a better place, following the example of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship.

Vietnam’s largest high-speed craft put into operation.

Open ceremony was held at Cau Da Port in Vung Tau city on February 14, to put into operation a high-speed craft, the Con Dao Express 36, aiming to serve people and tourists on the Vung Tau-Con Dao route and vice versa.

It is the largest high-speed catamaran in Vietnam, with a length of nearly 47 metres, a width of 12 metres and a capacity of accommodating 598 passengers.

The fast ferry is equipped with four Rolls-Royce engines, allowing a maximum speed of 35 nautical miles per hour (equivalent to 60 kilometers per hour), which will help shorten the trip from Vung Tau to Con Dao to three hours, nearly 10 hours faster than travelling by the normal ships currently operated in Vietnam.

Con Dao Express 36 has been designed following European standards and meets national standards on high-speed ship classification and construction.

As a catamaran, Con Dao Express 36 will have a high level of stability during its operation. Also, a large passenger compartment will keep those aboard from getting tired and reduce seasickness.

Con Dao Express 36 will start serving passengers from February 15. The ship will depart from Cau Da Port (Vung Tau) for Ben Dam Port (Con Dao) at 0800 am and return at 01.30 pm on the same day.

The fare will be VND660,000 (US$28.38) per trip for economy class and VND1.2 million (US$51.6) per trip for luxury class.