Official Dispatch 7937/VPCP-QHQT 2021 applying Vaccine passports and measures to facilitate foreign experts entering Vietnam for economic development

In consideration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ proposals (in the Document No. 2664/BC-BNG-LS-m dated October 10, 2021 on applying “Vaccine passports” measures to facilitate foreign experts entering Vietnam for economic development amidst COVID-19 pandemic) and the Ministry of Public Security's proposals (in the Document No. 1247/BC-BCA dated September 29, 2021 on creating favorable conditions in immigration according to the Government's policy on COVID-19 prevention and control), Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh give some opinions as follows:

1. Regarding the recognition of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (hereinafter referred to as the “vaccine passport”):

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall urgently discuss with partners to promote the recognition of “vaccine passport”.

- The Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for promulgating the unified form of “vaccine passport” of Vietnam in paper and electronic forms (with electronic authentication mechanism) before November 05, 2021; coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparing plans to persuade other countries to recognize our currently used vaccines.

- The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health shall develop applications and grant QR codes under the Prime Minister's directions provided in the Notice No. 242/TB-VPCP dated September 13, 2021.

2. Regarding people on entry:

To agree with the policy on creating favorable conditions in terms of procedures for foreigners entering Vietnam who obtained permits from the Prime Minister as specified in the conclusions of the Government Permanent's meetings on COVID-19 prevention and control and those who come to Vietnam in order to seek for market, attend meetings and conferences, visit relatives, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives (managing by visa groups of DN2, HN and VR, respectively) and possess a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19.

For overseas Vietnamese, procedures provided in the Government's Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP dated September 24, 2015, on visa exemption shall continue to be applied.

3. Regarding health control and guidance applicable to people on entry:

The Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, relevant agencies, and localities in, continuing to study to complete and promulgate the guidance on quarantine which is convenient and suitable to people on entry who have a “vaccine passport”.

4. Regarding competence and procedures for considering and approving the entry and organizing flights:

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider and decide for foreigners on entry for foreign affairs or official purposes; assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, promulgating guidance on organizing repatriation flights for Vietnamese citizens in the new situation.

- Ministries, sectors, and central agencies shall, based on an agreement with local health agencies on pandemic prevention plans, actively decide on inviting foreigners to enter Vietnam to work and take responsibility for managing them and other humanitarian or special cases (people entering for medical treatment, pregnant women, etc.).

- The provincial-level People's Committee shall actively decide on inviting foreigners to enter Vietnam to work with the locality and take responsibility for managing them; at the same time, authorize the focal point to settle and create favorable conditions for people on entry to work, study or humanitarian cases in the province, ensure to create favorable conditions for the right subjects, and arrange the appropriate medical isolation locations for them for safe pandemic prevention and control.

After providing detailed guidance and receiving complete dossiers of request for foreigners’ entry submitted by agencies, organizations, enterprises or individuals, functional agencies and localities shall request for appraisal and respond within 5 working days according to the current regulations (the 2014 Law on Exit and Entry).

5. Regarding the resumption of international commercial flights:

To agree with the principles of resumption of regular international commercial flights to and from countries/territories with high safety coefficient and appropriate anti-pandemic measures. The Ministry of Transport shall urgently submit the Plan on resumption of regular international flights to the Prime Minister before November 05, 2021.

The Government Office hereby notifies agencies for the implementation./.