First air passengers with vaccine passport arrive in Vietnam from Japan

They were all Vietnamese citizens who had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and had tested negative before their departure.

Upon their arrival, the passengers underwent medical examinations and were then transferred to a local hotel for a seven-day concentrated medical isolation instead of a 14-day normal process.

The plane and parts of the airport were also disinfected to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

This is the first pilot flight that has brought passengers with a vaccine passport to Vietnam.

Under a recently issued decision by the Ministry of Health, all passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the last dose given within at least 14 days and not more than 12 months by the time of entry.

In addition, they must have test results for SARS-CoV-2 through RT-PCR/RT-LAMP methods within 72 hours before departure and certified by the competent authority of the host country.

The vaccinated passengers will undergo a seven-day isolation as opposed to 14 days as normally.

The new pilot scheme has been drawn up to create conditions for Vietnamese nationals to return to the homeland, and for businesses and experts to come and work in Vietnam.

The Government and Quang Ninh will review the model to see if it is replicated, according to local officials.

Van Don airport is scheduled to receive another similar flight repatriating Vietnamese nationals from the United States on September 12.