Vietnam and other countries discussing approval of ‘vaccine passports’

People with vaccine certificates, or “vaccine passports”, recognized by Vietnam can use them to enter the country and their quarantine period will be reduced to seven days under guidance from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Spokesperson, told the ministry’s regular press conference on October 21.
Under Government Resolution No. 128 dated October 11 on the safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of Covid-19, Vietnam has been temporarily recognizing vaccination certificates that 72 countries and territories introduced to MoFA. The ministry is also discussing the mutual recognition of vaccine passports with nearly 80 partners.

In addition, under the direction of the Prime Minister, MoFA has sought opinions from relevant agencies on problems and recommendations to relevant authorities to speed up the approval process for foreigners to enter the country. Vaccine certificates can be added to a visa application, thus reducing processing time.

Previously, at the end of September, the Office of the Government issued a document conveying directions from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on recognizing vaccine certificates. The Prime Minister assigned MoFA to take prime responsibility and coordinate with the MoH and relevant ministries and agencies to work with counterparts in other countries and territories over the mutual recognition of vaccine certificates.

The Prime Minister views such mutual recognition as important in the current context.