Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just assigned relevant ministries and branches to prepare well plans to apply `vaccine passports` and reopen international flights and controlled trade.

Faced with the above information, economic expert Ngo Tri Long said that `vaccine passports` are the key to opening international flights and the problem for Vietnam now is the speed of deployment.

According to Mr. Long, if there are specific procedures and coordination in reopening international routes, organizing tourism for international passengers who have `vaccine passports` and managing epidemic prevention and control, it will be effective.

Ministries assigned by the Government to preside over need to organize evaluation and immediately implement the above plan.

Medical staff disinfect aircraft at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong, former Director of Tourism Development Research Institute, analyzed that the tourism industry contributed greatly to the country’s development, with total revenue reaching 36 billion USD in 2019, but it had to be frozen for more than a year.

Therefore, Vietnam should only recognize `vaccine passports` from countries and territories that have strict procedures for testing, issuing passports or Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

At first, Vietnam should open its doors to welcome international visitors to specific locations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ha Long Bay;

According to Dr. Bui Doan Ne, General Secretary of the Vietnam Aviation Business Association, the Association recently proposed that the Government gradually open the door, resume international flights, and accept foreign passengers to enter the country with proof of entry.

On March 17, the European Commission approved a digital Green Certificate, in the form of an application installed on the phone or printed on paper (similar to the International Vaccination Book).

`We hope that the Ministry of Health will soon issue a certificate similar to this and the inspection and entry process for international visitors to Vietnam on commercial flights. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to demonstrate to

Vietnam stops all commercial flights with other countries from April 1, 2020.

A `vaccine passport` is a digital document that proves an individual has been vaccinated against a virus, in this case Covid-19 (also known as a digital health card).

Some countries have issued Covid-19 `vaccine passports`, such as China.

Doan Loan – Viet Tuan