Vietnam
Travel Warnings

United States: Department of State International Travel Information
Latest advice,
Exercise increased caution in Vietnam due to COVID-19.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Vietnam due to COVID-19.
Vietnam's borders are still closed for all foreign nationals with few exceptions. Vietnam has resumed most domestic transportation options (including airports) and business operations (including day care centers and schools). Other improved conditions have been reported within Vietnam. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on the current extent of travel disruptions and testing/quarantine requirements for inbound travelers, as well as other information on COVID-19 in Vietnam.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Vietnam:
- See the U.S. Embassy's webpage regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Vietnam.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Last Update: Reissued with updates to COVID-19 information.
Addition of information and advice on pre-departure COVID-19 testing facilities in Vietnam (‘Coronavirus’ page)
If you are arriving in the UK from Vietnam on or after 4am on 18 January you will need to self-isolate on your arrival, unless you have a valid exemption. Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Travel is subject to entry restrictions
- Vietnam has suspended visa waivers, issuing of visas and the entry into Vietnam for all foreign nationals, except for a small number of diplomats on official business and certain high-skilled workers
- Quarantine lasts a minimum of 14 days and could be longer if you test positive at any point. If you test positive, you will be treated in a Vietnamese hospital. Following discharge you will be expected to undertake a period of self-isolation
See Entry requirements for more information before you plan to travel.
Preparing for your return journey to the UK
If you’re returning to the UK from overseas, you will need to:
- provide your journey and contact details before you travel
Check our advice on foreign travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sign up for email alerts for this travel advice.
If you’re planning travel to Vietnam, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Vietnamese authorities have stopped the entry in to the country of almost all visitors. See Entry requirements
High levels of air pollution, up to and including hazardous levels, occur in Vietnam particularly in the biggest cities and may aggravate heart, lung or respiratory conditions. See Health
Most visits to Vietnam are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings in big cities and tourist areas. See Crime
Travelling by motorbikes in Vietnam carries significant risk. There are frequent road traffic accidents and fatal crashes. Before choosing to ride a motorbike in Vietnam, it is essential that you’re an experienced motorbike rider, have a good quality motorbike helmet, have the correct licence(s), understand the roads on which you plan to travel and that your travel insurance covers your planned activity. See Road travel
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Vietnam, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times. See Local laws and customs
UK health authorities have classified Vietnam as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.
You can contact the emergency services by calling 113 (police), 115 (ambulance) or 114 (fire).
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. The Embassy and Consulate General remain open and are undertaking the full range of tasks.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
The above information has been excerpted from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website and was last updated by World Trade Press on Monday, 25th January, 2021. Addtional information is available at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice