NEWS | Vietnam Business Operations and the Coronavirus: Updates 25.03.2020

Latest Updates

As of March 25, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 134 cases of COVID-19. The latest cases were all linked to international flights. 19 cases were announced on March 22 itself – the biggest single day total.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have ordered the closure of all restaurants (with a capacity of 30 people or more), gyms, beauty salons, barbershops from March 24 to March 31.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone faces production delays due to Vietnam’s restrictions on South Korea. However, around 180 Samsung Display employees were allowed following an agreement with both governments. In addition, Samsung and LG plan to send 430 engineers to support operations in Vietnam on chartered flights.

Vietnam has stopped exporting rice from March 24 to ensure national food security.

Ford Motor Company will temporarily suspend production in Vietnam from March 26.

All international airlines have been asked to stop transporting overseas Vietnamese to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from March 25 to March 31 to prevent overcrowding at quarantine facilities.

Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners from March 22 to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats and officials as per Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The Prime Minister also ordered the suspension of all international flights, though it’s unclear exactly when this will take effect.

The Health Ministry has advised all arrivals from March 1 to self-isolate at home if they have not been quarantined in a centralized zone in the past 14 days.

Public transport passengers are required to fill out health declaration forms. These include travelers on long-haul buses, trains, tourist boats, and domestic flights.

The government has also asked religious organizations to cancel religious festivals, activities, and conferences that attract large crowds as a precaution.

Vietnam and Cambodia have closed their borders from March 20 to further prevent the spread of the epidemic. The measures do not apply to official and diplomatic passports. 

Vietnam Airlines will suspend all international routes in a phased manner by March 25 until April 30. VietJet will suspend ASEAN routes from March 20.

Vietnam’s military is expanding quarantine facilities for up to 60,000 people as thousands of Vietnamese return home from virus hit countries. The government will also use university dormitories to meet the demand should it be required. In light of the arrivals, authorities in Hanoi have urged residents to stay home.

Vietnam plans to issue several incentives for businesses affected by COVID-19. For more information on this, read our article here. 

From March 18, Vietnam stopped issuing new visas to all foreign nationals for 30 days in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Travelers from countries with visa exemptions will only be allowed if they can show medical documents certifying they are free of the virus. The suspension also does not apply to diplomats and those entering on government business, however, they will be required to follow quarantine protocols.

In addition, all travelers from the US, Europe, and ASEAN countries will be required to undergo medical checks and a 14-day quarantine when entering Vietnam.

Nearly 7,000 passengers entered Vietnam airports on March 18. These included mostly locals returning to the country as well as some foreigners. Travelers came from Europe as well as ASEAN countries.

Vietnam is set to officially export 7,500 COVID-19 test kits to Ukraine and Finland. Other European countries have also shown interest.

Vietnam Airlines will temporarily suspend flights between Vietnam and Malaysia until the end of March from March 18. In addition, flights between Vietnam and France have been indefinitely suspended.