Vietnam Removes Travel Restrictions: The New Rules Explained + How We Book Luxury Travel

International travel continues its return as Vietnam moves to ditch all COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers. The changes are already in place, making Vietnam the first nation in the region to scrap both testing and vaccination requirements for overseas travellers.

While vaccination was removed as a requirement for arriving travellers in mid-March, Vietnam’s latest dose of changes simplifies the process even further. A swab and isolation free experience awaits on arrival, regardless of your vaccination status. All you’ll need is a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test.

In this guide, we explain Vietnam’s latest travel requirements, discuss the best business class redemptions and share how we book the best all-inclusive hotels.

Vietnam’s New Health Requirements For Tourists

As of Sunday 15th May 2022, Vietnam no longer requires pre-departure testing or COVID-19 vaccination. Health authorities ask that travellers self-monitor their health following arrival, but apart from that, you’re free to explore!

Upon arrival in Vietnam, tourists must present proof of:

• Valid travel insurance with at least US$10,000 of coverage for COVID-19
• Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app which is shown to enter all VN establishments

Do I Need A Visa For Vietnam?

If you hold a passport issued in the following countries, you’ll be eligible for visa-free trips to Vietnam without an advance application. To stay beyond the listed number of days, you will require a visa extension upon arrival in Vietnam.

• 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar
• 15 days: Belarus, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom
• 21 days: The Philippines
• 30 days: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

Those who hold passports issued in Australia will need a visa to enter Vietnam. A 30-day tourist e-Visa can be obtained online for US$25, as below.

Step 1: Prepare the required materials:

• 4×6 passport photo with a white background (.jpg format)
• A photo of your passport data page (.jpg format)
• A passport that is valid for at least six months
• Your address while in Vietnam
• Points of arrival and departure in Vietnam
• Debit or credit card for payment

Step 2: Head to https://immigration.gov.vn/

Step 3: Click on ‘E-visa Issuance’ then ‘For Foreigners’

Step 3: Upload your images and fill out the form, then hit submit

Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD and copy the document code provided

Step 5: Within three working days you should receive your e-Visa via email

Direct Flights Australia To Vietnam

Jetstar, Bamboo Airlines and Vietnam Airlines each operate direct services from Sydney and Melbourne to Vietnam’s busiest airport, Ho Chi Minh.

Flights to Vietnam’s capital Hanoi are onboard Bamboo Airways from Melbourne or Vietnam Airlines departing Sydney.

Fly Business Class To Vietnam Using Points

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines offers one of the best Business Class products in the world. Travel in one of the airline’s lie-flat pods leaves nothing to be desired, with attention to detail that is second to none. Singapore Airlines’ staff are flawless, with great food and beverage options and a Book the Cook feature that allows travellers to pre-select their meals before departure.

62,000 KrisFlyer miles plus AU$114 in taxes will get you from Australia to Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi in Business Class. If you’d prefer to take advantage of the Singapore Airlines/Virgin Australia partnership, Business Class redemptions will start at 65,000 Velocity Points.

OneWorld Partner Airlines

Get to Vietnam with Cathay Pacific, JAL or Malaysia Airlines. All three airlines offer solid Business Class seating and meals.

As OneWorld partner airlines, you’ll see reward seating on all three from a number of airline loyalty programs. While Qantas Points are easiest to collect in Australia, the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles program offers some of the cheapest redemptions.

To travel from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh in Business Class you’ll need:

• Cathay Pacific: 90,000 Qantas Points or 65,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• JAL: 119,200 Qantas Points or 90,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Malaysia Airlines: 75,000 Qantas Points or 61,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

How do I earn enough points/miles?

There are several ways to rack up enough points or air miles to fly to Vietnam in Business Class. One method is to earn points on the ground via airline partners, such as filling up the car at BP or on the weekly shop at Woolies. These methods can prove useful over time, especially if you can take advantage of any bonus promotions.

The fastest way to rack enough points for redemption at the pointy end has always been via rewards credit cards. While there’s simply too many cards to talk about in this article, American Express is always a great place to start. Amex cardholders earn flexible rewards points through the Membership Rewards program, on both card spend and signup bonus offers.

Membership Rewards Points can then be transferred into several airline frequent flyer programs, including:

• Air New Zealand Airpoints
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Malaysia Airlines Enrich
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Thai Royal Orchid Plus
• Virgin Australia Velocity
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

For an entry-level card, check out the American Express Explorer or Platinum Edge. If a premium card is what you’re after, the Amex Platinum is your best bet with a massive signup bonus, solid best earn rate and a raft of other perks.

Amex Explorer

Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $4,000 on your new card within the first 3 months.

• $400 travel credit to spend each year
• Two Amex lounge passes per year
• Domestic and international travel insurance
• Smartphone screen repair insurance

Want to know more? Check out our guide to the American Express Explorer!

Amex Platinum Edge

Receive 40,000 Bonus Membership Rewards when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months. Plus, score a $0 Annual Card Fee in the first year, saving you $195!

• No Annual Card Fee in the first year
• $200 travel credit to spend each year
• Domestic and international travel insurance
• Smartphone screen repair insurance

Want to know more? Check out our guide to the American Express Platinum Edge!

Amex Platinum

Receive 300,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $5,000 on your new

Card within the first 3 months.

• $450 travel credit to spend each year
• Access over 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Domestic and international travel insurance
• Smartphone Screen Insurance
• Elite hotel status
• Accor Plus membership

Want to know more? Check out our guide to the American Express Platinum!

Book All-Inclusive Luxury Hotels With Classic Travel

Flight Hacks partner Classic Travel offers exclusive access to Virtuoso and Preferred Partner Hotel Rates at over 2000 luxury hotels worldwide. These deals are most often reserved for booking via approved travel agents only, such as Classic Travel, a full-service travel agency that makes it easy to compare prices and book online.

In almost all cases, Classic Travel rates will be the same or less than you’d pay if booked directly with the hotel. But unlike hotel rates, Classic Travel offers loads of complimentary perks with every booking. Plus, you’ll be helping to support the team at Flight Hacks, as we earn a small commission when you book via our exclusive link.

Book online with Classic Travel to score access to selected luxury benefits, such as:

• Daily breakfast for 2 guests
• Hotel credit (usually US$100 or more)
• Room upgrades
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Welcome amenities
• Spa treatment credits

While it always pays to compare, and we recommend checking the hotel’s direct rate as a point of reference, we often find the benefits of booking with Classic Travel far outweigh any other rate. To save big on luxury hotels worldwide, check out our exclusive Classic Travel partner page here!