10 countries recognize Vietnam vaccine passports

Recognizing vaccine passports is part of efforts that Vietnam has been aware of very early on to serve the recovery plans.

Ten countries have recognized vaccine certificates issued by Vietnam in the course of relaxing movement restrictions.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (second left) works with authorities at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Jan 20. Photo: Ministry of Transport

The recognition was given by Australia, Belarus, Cambodia, Japan, India, Maldives, Palestine, the Philippines, the UK, and the US, according to the spokesperson of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On December 23, 2021, Vietnam's vaccine certificate was issued and the country is seeking recognition from foreign countries, Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at the press conference on January 20.

In turn, Vietnam has recognized vaccine passports or temporary vaccination proof issued by 79 countries and territories, facilitating the entry of citizens from those countries. Accordingly, an entrant into Vietnam with a vaccine passport and proof of recovery from Covid-19 will be eligible for 3-day quarantine or less, according to the spokesperson.

She noted that Vietnam's regulations are also aimed to facilitate the entry of returnees and overseas Vietnamese.

Vietnam was aware of the vaccine passport very early on, considering it part of efforts to reopen the economy, especially the resumption of tourism. The leisure industry is one of the key sectors in the country having a long coastline with world-class beaches and dozens of UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.

In the latest move, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on January 20 worked with aviation authorities to ensure well-prepared plans for the resumption of international flights.

When working with authorities at Noi Bai International Airport, one of the two largest airports in Vietnam, Minh stressed the importance of resuming international routes to grasp opportunities for economic recovery and meet the growing demand of overseas Vietnamese and foreigners in Vietnam.

Since January 2022, Vietnam has resumed eight international air connections to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Thailand, and the US. Australia and Europe to be the next destinations, according to reports at the meeting between Minh and the aviation authorities.