Vietnam To Open Doors To Foreign Travelers In Phases

Vietnam held one of the world’s best pandemic control records until May, when infections flared up in Ho Chi Minh City and spread to neighboring provinces. Following strict social distancing, wider virus tests and accelerating vaccination, activities have been reopened gradually in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The tourism opening project proposed by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry has won approval from Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, said a government statement issued late on Tuesday and seen by DHA Vietnam.

Starting this November foreigner traveling in package tours could visit Danang city, Quang Nam province - home to World Heritage site of Hoi An - and Cam Ranh in the central province of Khanh Hoa, the statement cited the first phase of the ministry's project as saying.

As of January 2022 foreigners could visit more destinations after having completed a seven-day tour at the first destination, which could be Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Danang, Quang Nam or Quang Ninh province.

Full opening will commence the second quarter of 2022, the statement added.

An estimated 125,076 foreigners visited Vietnam in the first 10 months of this year, a drop of nearly 30 percent from the same period last year amid border closing measures to fight the pandemic, government data show.

Quang Ninh is the home province for the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon, which is part of the Heritage Race system owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam. The system also includes the VPBank Hanoi Marathon and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race.

 

A group of Philippine runners joining the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon 2018 poses for a photo. (Credit: The Halong Bay Heritage Marathon 2018's Organizers).

Among Vietnam’s population of more than 98 million, nearly 58.5 million people have taken the first shot of vaccine, while 25.6 million have been fully vaccinated, Health Ministry data by Nov 2 show.

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Held annually since 2018, the VPBank Hanoi Marathon has become Hanoi’s official race and won recognition to be a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) since 2019, with a running track standardized by AIMS experts and the Vietnam Athletics Federation. Runners’ results, in addition to be qualified for competing in the 31st SEA Games, are still recognized to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon. The VPBank Hanoi Marathon has joined the Age Group Ranking System of Abbott World Marathon Majors, counting from 2022.

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Tentative Race Date: December 26, 2021

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/VPBankHanoiMarathon

Should you have any question about the VPBank Hanoi Marathon, please email us at: hanoi.marathon@dhavietnam.vn.

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The Heritage Race system, owned and organized annually by DHA Vietnam, comprises of the VPBank Hanoi Marathon in October, the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November and the Can Tho Marathon - A Heritage Race in December.