VN TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND VISA-WAIVER PROGRAM FOR BELARUS, RUSSIA, JAPAN DUE TO COVID-19

The Government has decided to temporarily suspend unilateral visa exemption policy for citizens from Belarus, Russia and Japan in a bid to contain spread of the novel coronavirus to the Southeast Asian nation.

The decision shall take effect since 12h00 on March 21, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Citizens from the aforesaid countries holding ordinary passports will still be able to visit Viet Nam provided that they have obtained proper visas prior to their arrival.

Citizens who hold diplomatic or official passport are eligible to enter Viet Nam without visa in line with the current agreements on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports signed between Viet Nam and the above countries.

Entrants from Belarus, Russia and Japan shall be subject to medical preventive measures in accordance with the applicable regulations of Viet Nam.

The Foreign Ministry said Viet Nam had informed the three countries about the decision and will make proper adjustments in accordance with the developments of the pandemic.

On March 17, the Vietnamese Government decided to temporarily halt visa issuance to foreigners for 30 days, applicable since March 18.

Under the March 17 decision, foreigners enjoying visa-waiver program or overseas Vietnamese and their spouses and children having been granted with certificate of visa exemption shall only be allowed to enter Viet Nam if they can submit papers certifying they are not positive for the virus.

In addition to the current quarantine measures, the Government requested that all incoming travelers from the US, Europe and ASEAN countries shall be subject to centralized quarantine.

Competent authorities shall supervise and medically monitor those who are not subject to centralized quarantine during their mandatory isolation at place of residence.

The Government also requested cut of incoming flights from COVID-19 stricken areas to Viet Nam. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Transport shall decide on the parking areas for flights from the above areas.

Source: VGP

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

KNIC ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND HIGH-TECH BUSINESS COMMUNITIES IN CHINA

From Beijing to Shandong, KN Holdings and KN Industrial City are continuing to expand their engagement with government authorities, trade promotion organizations, and high-tech business communities in China. In Beijing, the delegation met with the Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), exchanging perspectives on industrial and technology cooperation between the two markets.

Sep 24, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIETNAM’S TRADE TOPS $825 BILLION BY MID-SEPTEMBER

Figures released on September 21 showed goods trade reached nearly $55 billion in the first 15 days of September alone, bringing cumulative turnover since the beginning of the year to more than $825 billion. The strong growth reflects robust trade flows, with demand for consumer goods and production inputs remaining high.

Sep 23, 2026

TECHNOLOGY

VIỆT NAM'S BUSINESSES MOVE TOWARDS AI AGENTS

Việt Nam’s AI landscape is entering a new phase as businesses move beyond generative AI (GenAI) tools designed to assist human users towards autonomous AI, agentic AI and AI agents that can take action with limited supervision, experts have said. The shift comes as Việt Nam seeks to accelerate science and technology, innovation and digital transformation under Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024.

Sep 23, 2026

GARMENT / TEXTILE

VIỆT NAM TARGETS $48 BILLION IN TEXTILE-GARMENT EXPORTS

Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry is facing both opportunities and challenges amid complex and unpredictable developments in the global market, prompting businesses to improve growth quality, optimise production costs and enhance adaptability in pursuit of an export turnover of about $48 billion this year. The target is considered an important milestone that requires concerted efforts from management agencies and the business community.

Sep 23, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

CUTTING LOGISTICS COSTS KEY TO BOOSTING EXPORTS

Reducing costs has become an increasingly urgent priority for import-export activities, particularly logistics costs, a conference in Hà Nội was told on Tuesday. According to Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Foreign Trade, Trần Thanh Hải, import-export activities has remained a bright spot for the economy in recent years, playing an important role and helping drive macroeconomic growth.

Sep 23, 2026

LEGAL UPDATE / POLICY

FLEXIBLE FISCAL POLICY HELPS DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

Việt Nam’s fiscal policy has been implemented in a targeted expansionary manner since early 2026, helping maintain macroeconomic stability and supporting the country’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth. According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at VNĐ2.02 quadrillion (US$77.7 billion), equivalent to 80 per cent of the annual estimate and up 16 per cent year-on-year.

Sep 23, 2026