Decision No. 229/2005/QD-TTg dated September 16, 2005 of the Prime Ministerpromulgating the regulation on foreigners entry into, exit from, and residence in, Phu Quoc island, Kien Giang province.

DECISION

PROMULGATING THE REGULATION ON FOREIGNERS ENTRY INTO, EXIT FROM, AND RESIDENCE IN, PHU QUOC ISLAND, KIEN GIANG PROVINCE.

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001-Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH 10 of April 28, 2000, on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Governments' Decree No. 21/2001/ND CP of May 28, 2001, detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Minister of. Foreign Affairs in Report No. 787-TTr/NG-LS of March 31, 2005

DECIDES:

Article 1. To issue together with this. Decision the Regulation on foreigners' entry into, exit from, and residence in, Phu Quoc island, Kien Giang province.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect 15 after its publication in "CONG BAO."

The Ministers of Public Security; Defense; and Foreign Affairs, heads of ministerial-level agencies and Government-attached agencies, and the president of the People's Committee of Kien Giang province shall have to implement this Decision.

REGULATION

ON FOREIGNERS' ENTRY INTO, EXIT FROM, AND RESIDENCEN, IN PHU QUOC PROVINCE, KIEN GIANG PROVINCE.

(Issued together with The Prime Minister Decision No. No. 229/2005/QD-TTg of September 16, 2005)

Chapter I

ENTRY INTO, AND EXIT FROM, PHU QUOC ISLAND

Article 1. Phu Quoc island (excluding areas exclusively planned for public security or defense purposes) shall be eligible for entry and exit preferences specifled in Clause 1, Article 3 of the Prime Minister's/ Decision No. 53/2001/QD-TTg of April 19, 2001, on policies toward border-gate economic zones.

Article 2. Foreigners and Vietnamese holding foreign passports (hereinafter referred collectively to as foreigners) who enter, exit from, and reside in, Phu Quoc is land, for a stay period not exceeding 15 days shall be exempt from visas; foreigners who enter an international border-gate of Vietnam and stay in its transit lounge before traveling to Phu Quoc island shall also be exempt from visas.

Citizens of countries. entitled to visa exemption shall observe current regulations.

Article 3.

1. Foreigners arriving at the island by sea through Phu Quoc international border-gate shall carry out entry procedures with the entry and exit management body right at the border-gate, foreigners traveling to Phu Quoc island by air shall carry out entry procedures at Vietnam's international airports, then stay in transit lounges of these airports before taking domestic flights to Phu Quoc island.

2. When carrying out entry procedures, foreigners shall have to produce their passports which are still valid for at least 45 days.

Article 4. In cases where, after coming to Phu Quoc island, visitors wish to travel to other localities, the entrv and exit management body shall consider and grant visas to them right in Phu Quoc island; if they wish to stay in Phu Quoc island for more than 15 days, the entry and exit management body shall consider and extend their sojourn period.

Article 5. Crew members holding valid foreign crew member's books or crew member's passport may enter, exit from, and reside in, Phu Quoc island during the period when their ships anchor at Phu Quoc island.

Article 6. As from the effective date of this Regulation, the Ministry of Defense shall, after reaching agreement with the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of Kien Giang province, report to the Prime Minister on the demarcation of Phu Quoc island areas exclusively planned for public security or defense purposes, publicize thesẹ ares and put up specific direction and no-entry signboards for each area.

Chapter II

RESIDENCE IN PHU QUOC ISLAND

Article 7. Foreigners entering Vietnam through Phu Quoc international border-gate shall be granted right at the border-gate by the entry and exit management body certificates for a sojourn period corresponding to the visa-exemption period; foreigners who are lawfully sojourning in Vietnam, when arriving at Phu Quoc island, shall not have to carry out procedures for sojourn certification but report thereon according to current regulations.

Article 8. Once in Phu Quoc island, foreigners may freely reside and travel there in accordance with the registered entry purposes, except for no-entry areas and areas exclusively planned for public security or defense purposes; if they want to enter such areas, they must obtain permission of competent agencies according to the provisions of the Prime Minister's Decision No. 160/2004/QD-TTg of September 6, 2004, no- entry areas and locations.

Article 9. Foreigners who apply for the extension of their sojourn period, change in registered sojourn purposes, grant, supplementation or amendment of visas, or grant of sojourn cards or residence cards, shall carry out procedures with the entry and exit management body of Phu Quoc Police in person or through other agencies, organizations or individuals. The order, procedures and time limits therefor shall comply with the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam and the Government's Decree No.21/200 1/ND-CP detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Chapter III

UPGRADING OT MATERIAL FOUNDATION IN SERVICE OF ENTRY AND EXIT ACTIVITIES IN PHU QUOC

Article 10. The People's Committee of Kien Giang province shall coordinate with relevant ministries and branches in submitting soon to the Prime Minister a plan on upgrading Phu Quoc border-gatẹ airport into an international airport and An Thoi port into an international seaport. The Ministry of Public Security shall arrange personnel and means for the entry and exit management at the two international border-gates of Phu Quoc island. In the immediate future, the entry and exit management body of the Ministry of Public Security and local relevant agencies shall arrange personnel and means for the carrying out of entry and exit procedures for foreigners according to regulations applicable to international border-gates.

Article 11. The People's Committee of Kien Giang province shall coordinate with relevant ministries and branches in investing in material foundation and providing funds for entry and exit management work so as to meet the requirements for foreigners' entry into, exit from, and residence in, Phu Quoc island.

Chapter IV

MECHANISM FOR COORDINATION IN MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGERS

Article 12. The Ministry of Public Security shall have to guide the implementation of this Regulation/and coordinatẹ with the People's Committee of Kien Giang province and relevant ministries and branches in organizing the implementation of this Regulation.

Article 13. The Ministry of Defense shall have to settle entry and exit procedures for foreigners entering or leaving Phu Quoc island by sea; and ensure public security and defense for Phu Quoc island.

Article 14. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall have to direct and perform the specialized management over companies organizing tours to Phu Quoc island; these companies shall have to manage tourists, ensuring that tourists enter and stay in the island in compliance with the permitted entry purposes and residence period, and coordinate with functional agencies in settling problems related to tourists.

Article 15. The People's Committee of Kien Giang province shall, within the scope of its tasks and powers, have to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security in directing Kien Giang Police to perform the state management over foreigner entry into, exit from, and residence in, Phu Quoc island.

Article 16. Agencies, organizations and individuals that invite or guarantee guests to Phu Quoc island shall have to ensure that their guest enter and stay in the island in compliance with the permitted entry purposes and residence period ensure funds and coordinate with state agencie in settling issues related to their guests.