Vietnam tourism – Author Carlo Carrasco

HCMC Transforms into Vietnam’s Shopping Hotspot

October 20, 2026October 18, 2026carlocarrasco

When it comes to touring Southeast Asia, which particularly city do you think is ideal for shopping? In recent times, a booming fashion scene backed with strong social media exposure and promotions is turning Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a major shopping hotspot and the shopping craze there is only intensifying, according to an article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Ho Chi Minh City is quickly becoming a shopping hotspot, thanks to a booming fashion scene that has been promoted widely on TikTok and Instagram as both affordable and accessible.

Chloe, a 22-year-old traveler from Australia, arrived on Tran Quang Dieu Street at the end of September with an empty suitcase and spent nearly US$800 in a single afternoon on clothes.

She planned to stay in Vietnam for a few weeks before returning home, saying: “I was inspired by a TikToker who came here with an empty suitcase just to fill it by shopping here.”

“The clothing quality is incredible, and everything is so cheap it feels surreal. It is like paradise for me.”

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City earned a spot among the 50 most attractive shopping destinations globally in a ranking by Travel and Tour World, a leading Indian travel publication.

The city is an ideal destination for travelers seeking handcrafted goods, textiles, and Vietnamese-style fashion, the report said.

Chloe is far from the only tourist visiting just for shopping.

Jasmine, a 26-year-old from Malaysia, says she travels to Vietnam specifically to buy clothes worn by her favorite idols.

“I am a huge K-pop fan, and I think Vietnamese clothing not only makes it easy to connect with my idols, but walking the fashion streets here also makes me feel amazing.”

She says she discovers brands and shopping locations primarily through Instagram, adding, “Every time I try on something here, I know I can afford it.”

Tina Yong, a prominent content creator with nearly four million followers, whose viral “Vietnam Haul” videos have helped put the local scene on the global map, points out that the appeal lies in discovery.

“People love discovering a brand they haven’t seen everywhere already.

“The designs are what catch my eye first, but the quality is what makes me go back.”

Other visitors echo this sentiment.

A visitor from Singapore says Vietnamese clothing craftsmanship is remarkable. She says she can buy about 10 times as many trendy items in Ho Chi Minh City, and for a fraction of the cost back home.

According to U.K. magazine Conde Nast Traveller, Vietnamese retail stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of the same production lines as global brands like Nike and GAP at a cost that is a fraction of western retail prices.

The rise in foreign shopper numbers has changed how local boutique owners run their stores.

Nguyen Huu Hoang, 22, consultant for a shop on Le Van Sy, a famous retail street in HCMC, says foreigners make up 80-90% of his shop’s clientele, most of them walk-in customers.

To reach them, his brands focus on Instagram, posting regular “fit-check” videos to turn online views into real store visits.

For added insight about shopping in HCMC, watch the video below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ho Chi Minh City’s strong appeal as a major fashion and shopping hot spot will last for several years and contribute a lot to the economy of Vietnam? Do you personally know anyone who visited Vietnam mainly for shopping? Do you think there are lots of people who are too influenced by social media to come to go overseas with shopping in mind?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Fewer Korean Visitors Arriving in Vietnam

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026carlocarrasco

With almost eighteen million foreign tourists counted during the January-September period of this year, Vietnam is on-track to exceed its 2025 record of foreign tourist arrivals. While tourism is indeed booming, there are observations that fewer travelers from South Korea are visiting Vietnam, and there are a lot of factors as to why this has been happening for some time now, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Korean arrivals to Vietnam have fallen for two years amid a weaker won, fewer flights and growing competition.

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months, up almost 15% year-on-year, the General Statistics Office reported. South Korea ranked second, after mainland China, with 3 million arrivals, but was the only top-10 market to record a decline, down about 5%.

Korean arrivals also fell 5% in 2025, when total arrivals hit a record of more than 21 million.

South Koreans made over 19 million overseas trips in the first eight months, up 2%, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of Anam Group, which manages two resorts in Mui Ne and Cam Ranh, says Korean demand is still growing but shifting elsewhere.

Yanolja Research found that only three of the 12 most-visited destinations for Koreans grew in the first half. Japan rose 18.6% to 5.6 million visits, 40% of Korean outbound travelers. Mainland China rose 16%, while Macau grew 0.7%.

The other nine destinations, mostly in Southeast Asia and the U.S., all declined. Vietnam fell more than 2%, and Thailand dropped the most, at 24%.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, attributes the decline partly to growing competition from China and Japan.

Quynh says Japan offers a good exchange rate, easy transport and quality service. China has attractive tour prices, visa-free entry for Koreans since late 2025 and more direct flights.

A weak won is a factor. The currency fell to 1,536 won per U.S. dollar on June 3, its lowest since 2009, and now sits around 1,350.

Korea JoongAng Daily reports that the weak currency is changing how South Koreans travel. They are shopping less, opting for Airbnb-style rentals over luxury hotels.

Hanatour, one of South Korea’s largest travel companies, says Korean travelers used to favor cheap tours with shopping stops. Now they choose pricier packages without shopping to cut down on extra spending.

However, travel spending in Japan continues to rise, as the weak yen makes the destination more affordable. In 2025, South Korean visitors spent a record $5.7 billion in Japan.

Koerner adds that beyond cost, the convenience of the trip also shapes Korean choices. A flight of two to three hours to Japan or China beats a six-hour trip to Southeast Asia.

“In this context, Vietnam’s edge as a low-cost destination no longer creates a big enough gap to hold on to Korean visitors,” Quynh says.

Saturation is another problem. Quynh says a destination’s life cycle lasts three to four years, after which travelers seek something new. Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc have been promoted in Korea since around 2023, and golf and spa packages have grown familiar.

Fewer flights have hurt too. Higher fuel prices from the Middle East conflict led Korean airlines, mainly low-cost carriers, to cut 1,000 flights between April and June.

Yanolja Research also says Vietnam’s image has been linked to Cambodian scam compounds. Negative sentiment toward Vietnam once reached 18%.

To win Koreans back, Quynh says Vietnam should refresh its image, rely less on cheap beach holidays, and develop cultural, ecological and wellness products. He also urges more promotion in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju cities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the falling number of Korean travelers visiting Vietnam is growing into a serious problem for the Vietnamese tourism industry? What do you think Vietnam and South Korea should do when it comes to flight connectivity and visa matters?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Tourism Insiders Say Easier Entry, Stronger Connectivity and Better Tourism Services Are Needed

October 13, 2026October 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Having attracted almost eighteen million foreign tourists in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam is clearly one of the must-visit places not only in Southeast Asia but in Asia as a whole. For some tourism insiders, however, Vietnam needs easier entry, strong connectivity by air and land and better tourism services to bridge the so-called competitiveness gap with its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam needs easier entry, stronger air and land connectivity, better tourism services, and stricter environmental enforcement to bridge its competitiveness gap with Southeast Asian rivals, tourism insiders have said.

The country climbed seven places to 52nd out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, its highest ranking since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it ranked behind major Southeast Asian markets. Singapore was 13th globally, Indonesia was 23rd, Malaysia was 26th, and Thailand was 38th.

The expansion of visa-free policy for more nationalities remains an important feature of Vietnam’s strategy to develop its tourism industry.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of Vietnamese luxury resorts, tells VnExpress International: “Vietnam should continue to make entry as frictionless as possible. Visa policies have improved considerably, but we should continue benchmarking ourselves against the easiest destinations in the region.”

Every additional administrative barrier matters when an international traveler can choose between Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other destinations, he says.

Vietnam has made it easier for foreign visitors to enter and stay in the country, including through 90-day e-visas and 45-day visa exemptions for citizens of 24 countries, including several in Europe.

But the country has not yet waived visas for some major tourism markets such as China and India, unlike Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietnam also needs stronger air connectivity, with more direct flights from major cities in Europe, Australia, North America, India, and the Middle East as connections influence long-haul travelers’ destination choices, Koerner adds.

Dr Matt Kim, a lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT Vietnam, says infrastructure and accessibility require further improvement, particularly international air connectivity and transport links between destinations in the country.

Long Thanh International Airport scheduled to begin commercial operation later this year will be transformational, but an airport alone does not create a destination, he says.

Efficient connections between airports and tourism centers, better roads, rail infrastructure, and seamless domestic transportation will be equally important, he says.

He wants the tourism industry to improve service quality and develop skilled professionals.

“To compete more effectively with regional destinations such as Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam needs to improve not only its facilities, but also service standards and professional training.“

Environmental pollution is another concern, with foreign tourists frequently complaining about it despite praising Vietnam’s scenery.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you agree with the opinions of the tourism insiders about what Vietnam needs to do to remain competitive with its regional neighbors? If you have been to Vietnam over the past six months, how do you rate the quality of entry, tourism services, air-land connectivity and the tourism workers? With the way things are going now, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract 30 million foreign tourists in 2027 or 2028?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 522,000 Visitors from the Philippines During First 9 Months of 2026

October 10, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

The Philippines, which is currently the host of the ASEAN Summit and is also one of the economic weaklings of Southeast Asia, continues to grow tremendously as a tourism market for Vietnam as an estimated 522,000 Filipinos visited the said nation during the first nine months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

It should be noted that more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam for the entire year of 2025, and the Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for the Vietnam tourism industry this year along with Russia.

Historically speaking, the number of Philippine visitors welcomed by Vietnam was 49,266 in 2022, 153,168 in 2023, 265,947 in 2024 and 482,173 in 2025. At 522,000 as of the end of September, the number of Philippine visitors arriving in Vietnam could reach around 700,000 by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the strong interest of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract at least one million visitors from the Philippines next year if not this year? Do you think more Filipinos will realize the great value they could get by visiting Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

October 5, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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8.8 Million Foreign Tourists Visited Vietnam In January-April 2026 Period

May 10, 2026May 4, 2026carlocarrasco

When it comes to international tourism, Vietnam continues to be a fast-growing tourist destination as it successfully attracted almost nine million foreign tourists in the first four months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress. With the way it is going, Vietnam could easily break its all-time record of 21.2 million foreign tourists attracted in 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam drew 2.03 million international visitors in April, lifting the first four months’ total to 8.8 million, a 14.6% year-on-year increase and about 35% of its 2026 target of 25 million arrivals.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the figures highlight the country’s rising profile as a safe, stable and increasingly compelling destination.

It is the first time Vietnam has surpassed 2 million foreign arrivals for four straight months, and the first time the January – April tally has reached 8.8 million.

The 10 largest source markets during the period were mainland China, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Cambodia, the U.S., India, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, together accounting for roughly 72% of total arrivals. China and South Korea alone contributed nearly 40%.

The visitor mix is becoming more diversified, with several emerging markets gaining traction.

Russia stood out with growth of nearly 300% year-on-year, buoyed by the return of direct flights, strong demand for extended holidays, and Vietnam’s competitive edge in safety, infrastructure, natural assets and cost.

Southeast Asia maintained strong momentum, led by the Philippines, which surged 73.4% to enter the top 10, overtaking Malaysia. Cambodia rose 41.6%, Indonesia 30.1%, Singapore 29.8%, Malaysia 21.7%, amd Thailand 8.4%.

In South Asia, India continued to emerge as a key market, expanding 59.1% and signalling substantial room for further growth.

Europe recorded the fastest regional expansion, up 53.3% year-on-year in the first four months. Western and Northern European markets posted solid gains, including the U.K. (10.4%), France (12.1%) and Germany (14.5%).

Visa-waiver markets such as Poland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic also delivered strong increases of 52.7%, 19.4% and 23.1%, underscoring the effectiveness of visa facilitation in boosting demand.

According to VNAT’s Tourism Information Center, global uncertainties, from geopolitical tensions to security risks, are making safety an increasingly decisive factor in travel choices.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering what was achieved in the first four months this year, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract between 25 million to 30 million foreign tourists by the end of 2026? Do you know anyone who will be visiting Vietnam soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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A Lot More American Fruits And Vegetables Imported By Vietnam In 2025

January 23, 2026January 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, a nation previously ravaged by war which eventually emerged as a major tourism destination in Southeast Asia, imported a lot more fruits and vegetables from the United States of America resulting in a jump of 67% to US$900 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. Vietnam’s exports to America, however, were not too great which resulted in a trade surplus of more than $350 million for America on fruits and vegetables.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VnExpress news report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. fruits and vegetables are pouring into Vietnam, with 2025 imports rising by nearly 67% to US$900 million, but Vietnamese exports to the U.S. are not keeping pace.

This marked a 10-fold jump in imports from the U.S. from a decade ago, with cherries, apples, grapes, and oranges being among the top fruits bought, according to Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam’s vegetable and fruit exports to the U.S. were worth $546 million last year, a minuscule 1.49% share in a market is dominated by suppliers such as Mexico, Canada and South American countries.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said the U.S. is a very large market but also one marked by stringent technical standards and also long geographical distance for Vietnam.

Vietnam’s position as the 13 largest fruit and vegetable supplier to the U.S. is owed to the great efforts made by businesses in recent years, he added.

There is room for growth as the list of fresh fruits permitted for export to the U.S. continues to expand, and now includes pomelo, mango, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, star apple, rambutan and, most recently, coconut.

Consumer trends in the U.S. are shifting toward novel fruits, health-oriented products and more deeply processed items such as frozen fruit, dried fruits and juices, with Vietnamese products like coconut, durian and pomelo becoming increasingly popular.

But exports do face many challenges. Starting this month the U.S. began tightening regulations on traceability and food safety, particularly with respect to pesticide residues.

Vietnamese oversight of planting area codes and packing facilities remains uneven, which threatens to bring warnings or even temporary import suspensions by the U.S.

The high logistics costs due to the distance make it difficult for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to compete on price with suppliers close to the U.S. such as in Mexico, Peru or Thailand.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider Vietnam’s heavy importing of American fruits and vegetables in 2025 big economic victories for Trump’s America? What do you think is the main reason as to why Vietnam purchases so much fruits and vegetables from the United States? Do you think Trump’s tariffs are already helping American producers of fruits and vegetables?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Over 730,000 local and foreign tourists welcomed in Hanoi in connection to the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)

May 27, 2022May 25, 2022carlocarrasco

Whenever a country hosts a major event that emphasizes international sports competition which involve the participation of athletes from many nations who joined in, the tourism aspect of it arguably becomes one metric of the event’s impact in relation to the host country’s tourism appeal. Case in point, the concluded 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) hosted by Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi proved to be a magnet of both local and foreign tourists who were attracted to the games. Over 730,000 local and foreign tourists were counted specifically in Hanoi in connection to the SEA Games hosting, according to a report by VietnamPlus.vn.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from VietnamPlus.vn report. Some parts in boldface…

Hanoi welcomed 700,000 domestic tourists and 31,448 foreigners who visited or participated in events of the recently concluded SEA Games 31, the municipal Department of Tourism announced on May 24.

As of May 23, 18 hotels in Hanoi had accommodated more than 5,600 Vietnamese and foreign delegates, referees, athletes and reporters. In addition, other accommodation facilities stood ready to welcome tourists travelling to Hanoi during the Games.

The Department of Tourism asked relevant agencies to roll out new tourism products at the capital city’s famous attractions such as the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone, Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Bat Trang pottery village.

Images of Hanoi and preparations for SEA Games 31 were promoted on the department’s portal and websites on Hanoi tourism as well as TV channels and social media.

Director of the department Dang Huong Giang said it has organised numerous events and festivals for SEA Games 31, namely Hanoi gift festival and Son Tay – Xu Doai Tourism Year.

She affirmed that the capital’s tourism sector has fulfilled assigned tasks for hosting the regional sporting event, which contributed to attracting foreign tourists and investors to Vietnam and Hanoi in particular.

Vietnam, the host city and other localities worked hard in preparing for the SEA Games complete with implementing health protocols. It should be noted that foreign delegations to the SEA Games were not required to make COVID-19 health declarations upon arrival. It is encouraging to learn about the 700,000 local tourists and 31,448 foreign visitors welcomed in Hanoi and the only thing lacking from the local authorities are the economic estimates in the form of revenues and tourist-related spending that happened before and during the SEA Games. For the newcomers reading this, Vietnam reopened its borders to foreigners months ago and the nation recently recovered for very high counts of COVID-19 infections. In the weeks leading to the start of the 31^st SEA Games, the daily count of new COVID-19 infections went way down. For more on the games and the tourism aspect of it, watch the videos below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about Vietnam’s hosting of the SEA Games? Are you interested to visit Vietnam someday? Would the city of Hanoi be your primary of place for vacation in Vietnam? Do you think that Vietnam will become a major tourist attraction internationally as COVID-19 becomes less problematic in the months ahead? Are you looking forward to the SEA Games next year in Cambodia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

With the exception of football, 31st SEA Games venues are open to spectators

May 12, 2022May 11, 2022carlocarrasco

If you are seriously traveling to Vietnam mainly to watch the many events of the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in person, then you might be delighted to know that with the exception of football, competition venues have been opened to spectators, according to a Manila Bulletin sports news report quoting Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez. Take note that it was revealed before that spectators at the SEA Games were not required to take COVID-19 tests and Vietnam itself has reopened its borders to foreign tourists.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Ramon Fernandez bared on Tuesday that spectators would now be allowed to cheer for the athletes at the competition venues of the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Fernandez, the country’s chef de mission to the Games, attended the first chef de mission meeting at the Hyatt Regency West Hanoi here where all 11 CDMs of the 11 national Olympic committee graced the gathering.

“The host country will open the venues to fans and spectators as long as they strictly follow health and safety protocols,’’ said Fernandez, who attended the meeting with PSC Public Communications Office head Emmalyn Bamba.

Except for football, Fernandez said no fees will be charged at the entrance in all competition venues of the 39 sports from the opening ceremonies of the Games on Thursday until the closing rites on May 23.

“Tickets will only be sold during football matches where a large volume of spectators are expected,’’ said Fernandez. With the gates opened to the public, Fernandez pushed for the safety of the athletes from contracting the COVID-19 virus, which was seconded by Indonesia and Singapore and supported by all CDMs.

“Vietnam organizers assured that health protocols will be in place by wearing masks and the strict implementation of social distancing,’’ said Fernandez.

Other concerns were discussed during the CDM meeting with Fernandez raising the issue of the presence of a medical room, which will be stationed at the headquarters of the Philippine delegation here.

Also discussed were the arrangements for the Team Welcome Ceremony for Team Philippines and other countries on Wednesday, a day prior to the opening rites.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to Vietnam’s move to open up SEA Games competition venues (except football) to spectators?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Foreign sports delegations at 31st SEA Games are not required to make COVID-19 health declarations upon arrival

May 4, 2022May 3, 2022carlocarrasco

The 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam is just eight days from formally opening and here are the good news for the foreign sports delegates coming for the said games – they are not required to make COVID-19 health declarations upon arrival, according to a VietnamPlus.vn news report. To be clear, an urgent notice by the national authority was issued.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VietnamPlus.vn report. Some parts in boldface…

The Vietnam Sports Administration (VSA) has been asked to inform all foreign sports delegations to the upcoming SEA Games 31 about the suspension of the COVID-19 health declaration requirement at Vietnamese border gates, according to an urgent notice.

The notice was sent by the Ministry of Health’s General Department of Preventive Medicine, requesting the VSA to report to the SEA Games 31’s organising committee and inform other regional delegations about the new policy.

All arrivals in Vietnam no longer have to submit health declarations, starting from April 27, the Ministry of Health has announced.

Previously, the ministry has issued a guideline for COVID-19 control measures during the region’s biggest sport event, saying that any guest who holds a position of the deputy ministerial level or above, as well as heads and deputy heads of sport delegations will neither need to show negative COVID-19 testing results when entering Vietnam nor take tests after arrival. Also, they do not need to go into mandatory quarantine.

Sport officials, referees and athletes are required to have certified negative RT-PCR/RT-LAMP testing results taken within 72 hours or rapid antigen testing within 24 hours before entering Vietnam, but not to quarantine.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest move by Vietnam in relation to its hosting of the 31^st SEA Games? Do the words “all arrivals” make the declaration confusing to you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

For other SEA Games-related articles, click here, here, here, here, here and here.

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