3 Tourists Found Dead in Vietnam after Boat Capsizes

Vietnam says at least 13 tourists have been found dead and four remain missing after a boat capsized off the country’s central coast over the weekend.

There were 36 tourists on the boat, including two children, and three sailors from Cu Lao Cham Island to Hoi An City.

Search operations for the two missing three-year-olds will resume on Monday, according to the Vietnam National Committee for Search and Rescue.

On Saturday, 35 people were brought to shore by rescue forces, but 13 of them were confirmed dead. It was found that the boat was not overloaded when the accident occurred.

Tourism is increasing in Vietnam after the country recently lifted most of its Coronavirus restrictions.

Starting March 15, Vietnam hopes to fully reopen to travellers, well ahead of the original June timeline.

Vietnam Locked Down

During the outbreak of the pandemic, the country implemented some of the strictest border controls in the world. Since spring 2020, very few people have been allowed in.

With the onset of the pandemic, the country implemented one of the strictest border controls in the world. Since spring 2020, very few people have been allowed in.

In November 2021, Vietnam allowed foreign tourists to visit selected destinations through a vaccine passport program. Still, this will be the first time the country is fully open to unrestricted travel.

While the country hopes to open early, it is not completely flinging open its doors just yet. Several requirements still need to be met.

Vaccination Requirements

Vaccinations are required of visitors aged 12 and up by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. The last dose needs to have been given within at least 14 days, but no more than 6 months ago. A person who received the initial doses in spring 2021 but hasn’t gotten a booster shot would not be considered sufficiently vaccinated.

Visitors can also submit a “certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or an equivalent document stating that they have recovered within six months from COVID-19.”

It is a requirement for all travellers over the age of 2 to submit a negative COVID-19 test. There are two options: an RT-PCR/RT-LAMP test administered within the previous 72 hours, or a rapid test conducted within 24 hours of departure.

Upon entering Vietnam, travellers must go straight to their accommodation and take a rapid test. The tests are yet to be determined if they can be self-administered. If, after 24 hours, the results are negative, they can travel freely throughout the country.

Travellers, however, are required to be medically isolated at their accommodation or be treated in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s regulations if they are positive.

Travellers must also have medical or travel insurance that covers the cost of treatment for COVID-19, with a minimum liability of $10,000.

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