From the advantages and disadvantages of Phuket Sandbox, Vietnam has applied this model to open up international tourism.
The Phuket Sandbox is a new model that allows travelers who are fully vaccinated to enter Thailand without quarantine. The program is starting on 1 July 2021, before Thai borders will be fully reopened. Phuket was set to become the first Thai province of this "sandbox" model and tourists visiting the island will no longer need to be quarantined.. After the first seven nights in Phuket province, visitors are permitted to travel to other areas of Thailand. With the "Phuket sandbox", Thailand is the pioneer country to open up international tourism in the region. Although there is no comprehensive assessment, this is still considered a typical example for Asian countries to find their own opening plans.
Gaining experience from “Phuket Sandbox”, Phu Quoc has piloted “Phu Quoc Sandbox” within 6 months from mid-November 2021 to welcome international tourists. The program is aimed at tourists from the US, Europe, Australia, Northeast Asia and the Middle East. Recently, Phu Quoc welcomed the first private jet charter which carries 07 British and Polish tourists under the vaccine passport program on 23 December. This is also the first group of European tourists visiting Phu Quoc after nearly two years since Vietnam closed its borders and canceled all international flights due to the pandemic. Upon arrival in Phu Quoc, the holidaymakers will be welcomed by authorities then undergo Entry Screening which is required as other vaccine passports’ holders in the Phase 1 of Vietnam pilot reopening roadmap.
The first group of European tourists visiting Phu Quoc - Source: Phu Quoc Sandbox
Thus, Phu Quoc ( Kien Giang) is one of five localities to get the green light from the government to welcome back fully vaccinated tourists from November onwards along with Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and Da Nang.
International tourists can comeback to discover the stunning beauty of Vietnam with 4 requirements below:
Vietnam has piloted 3 phases to welcome international tourists:
Another good news is that Vietnam will reopen regular international flights to areas with high safety factors, from January 1, 2022. Regular commercial flights will be relaunched from/to Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan, China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco or Los Angeles (the U.S.). All flights to be reopened must comply with these rules to ensure COVID-19 safety.
Source: Phu Quoc Sandbox, Thaiest
Written by Lan Anh, Assistant Manager for Mr Linh’s Adventures