Vietnam aiming for full border opening for tourists from end-April

Vietnam wants to have its borders fully open to international travellers by end-April to boost its tourism sector, the Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung was cited as saying by local media.




The country has reduced its quarantine period for vaccinated travellers to three days and has been welcoming foreign tourists under a pilot reopening since November after achieving one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, ranking sixth globally in terms of coverage.




Hung said since the pilot scheme began, Vietnam has welcomed 7,800 tourists from markets considered safe, such as Japan, South Korea and Russia.




Of the plan to fully reopen from April, Hung said: "This is determination, not idealism."




Tourists have been allowed to visit Hoi An, home to the Hoiana integrated resort, as well as Khanh Hoa and Phu Quoc, home to the Corona Resort & Casino. In total seven localities are permitted to receive foreign tourists. The destinations also include Da Nang, which is the site of several casinos, as well as Ho Chi Minh City.