After being unable to return to Vietnam for a long time due to the complicated epidemic situation, I was told by a friend how to return to Vietnam on a pilot progam. At that time, my son’s second birthday was coming up and I had missed his first birthday last year. I really don’t want to miss that important occasion anymore.
Vietnam will have to reopen in the next few months and things will get back to normal open doors in 2022. If you could wait, I believe that you should. However, if you can’t wait like me, my sharing will be one potential route to consider.
WHO CAN?
To make sure you have qualified, you need to check with your trusted agent first. Besides you also need to make sure that your local contact in Vietnam can get approval at their local neighborhood police level for the sponsor form. On the last day of the quarantine, some people in our group had to stay in the resort and wait because they did not meet the required conditions.
HOW MUCH?
Usually, people will pay from 3000 USD to 6000 USD depending on where you start as well as the agency you choose. The price included the shared-room arrangement in quarantine (they matched you up randomly). If you want to stay in a private room, you will have to pay an extra about 500 USD. The price did not include your return ticket.
AGENT?
There are many agents that sell this program. However, you need to choose reputable and reliable agents. Checking with people in my group, I have seen some good and some not-so-good agents mostly because everything changes so much daily and probably because of the poor communications between the organizing agent and the sell-on agent.
Personally, I feel very lucky because thanks to the support from the travel agency, I don’t have to worry about complicated procedures and find flights by myself. The name of this agent is EVIVA TOUR, many of my friends have successfully returned to Vietnam thanks to this agent’s help.
Currently, there are many ways to communicate with your agent instead of email. Most of these agents have social apps that allow chats and calls such as Whatsapp, Viber, Zalo,… They will respond to messages faster than opening up an email. In Particular, you can set up a chat group including you, your relatives in Vietnam, and the agent to make it more convenient to exchange related issues.
LOGISTICS?
The normal logistics for flights, vaccination certificates, PCR test, health declarations at the airport,… you can search for plenty of help on the Internet. Moreover, you can get all the answers from your agent.
VISA?
Although the plan is to get a 90-day tourist visa. However, when I got off the plane, I received a sticker on my passport for a 7-day visa. To be able to extend your 90-day visa, you must ensure that you get the NA5 sponsor form signed and approved by the local government. Besides a 7-day visa, you can convert it to a visit visa.
You must follow up closely with your agent and communicate what has been requested of you by the organizing agent during the quarantine. Some customers were repeatedly told by sales agents that their visa was already a 90-day tourist visa, until the last few days when they needed to change to a family visa it was too late.
QUARANTINE?
You will have 7 days of isolation at 4-5 star hotels or resorts. It’s not a complete quarantine either, because you’re free to move around on the premises. Alternatively, you can book a tour with a tour operator at local regulated attractions.
Besides, you are tested with PCR on the 1st and 6th days of accommodation.
WHERE TO GO AFTER QUARANTINE?
After finishing the program, you can return to the locality to visit relatives and work under the supervision of the local government (must register in advance). Ask your agent to help book your return flights, which might need to change with the timing when you get your passport back.
That’s all I can share about the past journey. Hopefully, these shares will help make your way home closer, safer, and more economical.
Author: Tracy Slatyer
