Can travellers go to Vietnam by vaccine passport?

Vaccine passport in Vietnam is one of the most searched keywords among not only business travelers who are in need of a business trip to Vietnam, but also leisure ones who have been kept home for so long.

COVID-19 pandemic has no sign of ending yet, and many countries worldwide have, so far, made a lot of efforts to promote their economy in general, and tourism in particular. And Vaccine passport is one of considered the best solutions.

1. What is a Covid vaccine passport?
The Covid 19 vaccine passport is a form of documentation (likely digital) proving that you have been vaccinated against Covid-19. It is, in some countries, known as vaccine pass or “green pass”, digital green pass”, “green pass”. The idea behind a vaccine passport is that it would allow a person to resume activities that are now restricted due to Covid 19 outbreak, including freer travel, entering a restaurant, cinema, gym, or attending concerts, sporting events, theater performances, and other events that would put you in close proximity with a lot of other people.

Due to COVID 19, the Covid vaccine passport may become a required item to enter any country, in addition to a valid physical passport and visa. As such, it is also referred to as a “vaccine visa”.

2. How does a vaccine passport works?
Despite its name, a vaccine passport is actually not a paper. Through the vaccine passport currently issued by the 4 countries of China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iceland, the vaccine passport is actually a digital passport that’s part of the mobile app that you will show to the airlines’ officials and then the immigration officials to get on board and then cross the international border respectively. This app may show details of your Covid vaccine shots, the status of your last COVID test, and possibly other information.

3. Vaccine passport program worldwide
As of March 19, 2021, there are up to 18 countries already implementing quarantine/test exemption programs for vaccinated travelers.

Antigua & Barbuda – Quarantine not required unless specifically requested by authorities with the vaccine.
Bangladesh – No quarantine required with proof of the second dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine.
Belize – No quarantine or test required.
Bermuda – Test still required but no quarantine.
Estonia – No quarantine or test required.
Ghana – Test still required but no quarantine.
Guatemala – No quarantine or test required.
Iceland – No quarantine or test required if getting vaccine authorized by European Medicines Agency, or the World Health Organization.
Lebanon – Test still required but no quarantine.
Lithuania – No test or quarantine required.
Moldova – No test or quarantine required.
Poland – No quarantine required with.
Qatar – No quarantine required 14 days after the second vaccine. Test still required.
Romania – No quarantine required.
Seychelles – No quarantine with a negative test.
Slovakia – No quarantine required. Test still required.
Slovenia – No quarantine required. Test still required.
Tajikistan – No quarantine or test required.
This list will, for sure, change rapidly and will be kept updated by us regularly. However, before any trip abroad, you should check the vaccine passport program of your destination.

4. How Vaccine passport works for Vietnam?
When Vietnam opens its borders to tourists is on top concern by various travelers around the world. Whether it comes with the instruction of the COVID 19 vaccine passport? No one has the answer at the moment.

Although Vietnam has not approved any policy on entry of foreigners with Vaccine passport. But the country and its agencies, authorities have made some positive moves in this regard as follows:

As updated on VNexpress on 10th April, Vietnam readies for entry of foreigners holding vaccine passports, including tourists and investors.

At a regular meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on April 9, 2021, the related agencies and telecom providers said that the information technology infrastructure for handling Covid-19 vaccine passports was basically ready and “fully adapts to international preparations of vaccine passport deployment”.
Vietnamese stranded abroad, foreign investors, and vaccinated tourists are three groups who might be able to enter Vietnam with a vaccine passport, officials say.

With the vaccine passport, specifically, Vietnam would divide entrants into three different groups.

The first group would be Vietnamese citizens who are stranded abroad and have been administered the Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Health will be in charge of providing detailed guidance on isolating and monitoring arrivals from different countries. A similar protocol would also apply for Vietnamese businesspeople returning home after going abroad in pursuit of investment and business opportunities.

The second group would be foreigners entering Vietnam to invest and do business. The Health Ministry would specify the protocol for testing, medical isolation, and medical monitoring based on the entrants’ citizenship and the vaccines they have been administered.

The third group would comprise international tourists. For this category, the health department would work with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and submit to the committee specific plans on allowing international tourists.

It is expected that Vietnam will welcome visitors from countries that have basically brought the pandemic under control and those that have deployed vaccination programs to achieve community immunity. Such tourists would be allowed to go to Vietnamese destinations where sufficient control can be maintained in terms of Covid-19 destinations.

As updated on Dantri on April 6, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (VAAC) has made a proposal on urgent resumption of regular international flights and early application of “vaccine passport” in Vietnam in order to promote international air transport. According to the proposal, the entrants to Vietnam who have been vaccinated and have negative Covid PCR test results will be allowed to enter Vietnam with minimized centralized quarantine duration.

Before that,  the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) proposes exempting vaccinated foreigners from centralized quarantine from September when Vietnam is expected to apply the Covid Vaccine passport policy depending on Vietnam’s mass vaccination progress and its assessment. Passengers will be exempted from 14-day centralized quarantine if they show a certificate confirming they had tested negative for the novel coronavirus and an international vaccination certificate proving they had been inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine recognized by Vietnam (Vnexpress).
Lux Travel DMC will keep you update about vaccine passport to Vietnam by the following articles. Need to know any information about how to travel to Vietnam, kindly send us an email at sales@luxtraveldmc.com.

 

 

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Covid-19 update in Southeast Asia

Update on April 12, 2021

An outbreak in Thailand

Thailand recorded COVID-19 cases with a record high of nearly 4 numbers, Cambodia added 277 cases.
The Thai government has just reported 985 new cases of COVID-19 in the morning of April 12, higher than 967 cases the day before and a new record for several new questions every day since the pandemic started in this country.

This week, the risk of an outbreak is not expected to decline, as the Thai people hold a ceremony to welcome the traditional Songkran New Year. According to the South China Morning Post, many people will leave the capital to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet with their families.

Thailand has seen a spike in cases since the beginning of the year, and the situation so far has not been controlled. This situation threatens to open up the tourism industry’s plan to welcome back visitors, which is also a key industry in Thailand. Thailand plans to reopen Phuket in July and does not quarantine vaccinated tourists. If the pilot in Phuket is successful, the government will expand to other popular tourist destinations, such as Koh Samui.
Thailand has approved a list of Covid-19 vaccines from eight carriers (including Sinovac, Biotech, and Pfizer) for foreign travelers wishing to shorten the period of mandatory isolation. On the other hand, Thailand’s Ministry of Health warned that restrictions should be tightened to slow the spread of the new Covid-19 wave. This partly undermines hope of recovery from the pandemic.

Tests showed that the coronavirus variant appeared in the UK among these positive cases. This variant is considered by experts to be significantly more contagious than the strain originally discovered in Wuhan, China.
Infections are most common in the capital Bangkok, the coastal town of Pattaya in Chonburi, and some tourist attractions in Chiang Mai. As the country’s trading hub, Bangkok is likely to become a hotspot for infections.

Cambodia
Since the Covid-19 translation took place, Cambodia was considered to have well-controlled the Covid-19 translation. However, from the incident of Chinese people in quarantine at the end of February, the epidemic showed signs of deteriorating even though the country has just announced that it has vaccinated Covid-19 for 1 million people at high risk. This country is still in danger of breaking the battle.

The Khmer Times April 12 reported that on April 11, there were 204 new cases of Covid-19 infection in Cambodia. Even on September 9, this country had more than 570 new infections, which means the number of infections per day is even higher than the whole year before. As of April 11, Cambodia had a total of 4,515 cases, up nearly nine times from the pre-quarantine level. And 30 Covid-19 infections have died in Cambodia, while 2,212 Covid-19 infections have been cured.
Meanwhile, regarding the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China (CCDC) Cao Phuc admitted that the effectiveness of the vaccine in this country is not high.
Up to now, Cambodia has tightened control measures when many areas are blocked, restricting movement between provinces. But in reality, Cambodia has not shown signs of effectively controlling the spread of Covid-19 in this country.

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Top 7 beaches for Summer Holiday in Vietnam in 2021

Vietnam has over 3000 km of coastline with the richness of countless stretches of sand, tropical islands, caves, and lagoons. The country is famous for tourists thanks to many stunning beaches along the coastal line. Here are the top 7 most wonderful beaches in Vietnam for this Summer holiday.

1. Cat Co Beaches (Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong)
Cat Ba island is an islet belonging to Halong Bay. Among 367 islands making up the Cat Ba Archipelago, Cat Ba is the largest one which contains three small and beautiful sandy beaches, known as Cat Co One, Cat Co Two and Cat Co Three.
Highlights: Cat Co One and Cat Co Three is great for daytime stroll thanks to a cliff-facing pathway that links the two beaches. Cat Co Two offers a romantic getaway with many bungalows and chalets.

Almost half of the island is surrounded by the thick green jungle of Cat Ba National Park – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Additionally, the island has captivated visitors with inexpensive scrumptious foods and plenty of amazing activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, snorkeling, discovering hidden nature, etc…
The beaches are wonderful places for sunbathing and swimming. They are full of swimmers during summertime, so if you don’t want to be overwhelmed with crowds on the beach, avoid going there from May to July. If you want a cleaner and quieter beach, go to the nearby Monkey Island. The first thing that attracts visitors here is the breathtaking landscape.
The most interesting thing in Cat Ba is a magical phenomenon called bioluminescent plankton. You have to take a night time dip to see the tiny luminous sparkles dancing with the water’s movement. Besides, the view of boats and harbor in this islet is very nice. It is worth spending one to two hours to witness the sunset at Cannon Fort Cat Ba and experience unforgettable memories.
When to visit: The months during spring and autumn are ideal for staking a spot and spending all day long on looking out into this shimmering bay thanks to ideal conditions in rainfall, temperatures and sunshine.

2. My Khe Beach, Danang
It is a pity when spending your days in Danang without visiting one of the most charming beaches in Vietnam, namely My Khe , beside Non Nuoc beach and Bac My An beach.

Source: Continental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Just 5km from the city center and 25km from Hoi An, a picturesque beach appears in front of you. Suitable for family trips, My Khe beach attracts tourists by its pristine beauty with a 10km coastline lasting from the base of Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son).
Highlights: My Khe beach has been voted by Forbes as one of the six most attractive beaches in the world. The long stretch of smooth white sand, slight slope, gentle waves, clear and warm water, blue sky, white clouds, and beautiful coconut trees create the glamorous natural scene. A beach is also a great place for sunbathing, jet-skiing, surfing, yachting, fishing, and snorkeling.
What to do: One special thing about My Khe beach is that the water is warm all year round, so you can swim at any time of the year. The beach is safe for swimmers because it is not so deep; and flag swirls, life-saving buoys, and a rescue team are always available. Much more than that, you will witness a different My Khe with an orange coat during sunset. You will be captivated by the glorious sunset.
When to visit: Being attractive both day and night, this beach is in its most beautiful state from May to October.
If you want a peaceful, natural, and relaxing place, My Khe beach will be your ideal destination with an unforgettable impression.

3.Beaches in Binh Ba Island, Khanh Hoa
Binh Ba, also called Lobster Island, is a small isolated island located in Cam Binh commune, Cam Ranh city, Khanh Hoa province. The island is 15km away from Ba Ngoi harbor. It used to be occupied by the military and no one from the outside was allowed to visit. Now, the rule has changed but only local people can enter the island.

Source: Pixabay @Quangpraha

Highlights: Binh Ba still retains its natural beauty because it is protected well by the soldiers and relatively unspoiled. There are seven pristine beaches on the island including Hon Co, Bai Chuong, Old House, Cay Me, Bai Rua, Bai Nom and Bo De but only three beaches namely Bai Nom, Old House and Bai Chuong are accessible.
What to do: The most beautiful beach on the island is Bai Nom. A stretch of smooth white sand and mountains in two sides with gigantic stones on the top create a spectacular arc-shaped coastline. It is the only beach where you cannot see dawn and sunset. Old House beach is the place where the water is cleanest.
However, because of the rocks, it is a little uncomfortable if you want to swim here. There are many colorful coral reefs under and over water in Old House beach, so you can try scuba diving, snorkeling or sitting on a boat to explore them.
Although Bai Chuong beach is not as glorious as the other two, it is an ideal place for watching the sunrise on Binh Ba island. Furthermore, the island captivates visitors with wild scenery, cheap seafood and friendly locals. This is also a wonderful location for photo shooting.
When to visit: The days between March and September are considered the best period to gaze upon the beaches in Binh Ba.
Note: If you are a foreign visitor on the island, don’t be curious and break the rule in a restricted area.

4. Co Thach Beach, Binh Thuan
Another tourist destination that should not be missed in Vietnam is Co Thach beach in Binh Thuan province. Located in Tuy Phong district, Co Thach beach is about 90km away from Phan Thiet city, about. This legendary land is famous for many unique features.

Highlights: One special thing you can see at Co Thach beach is the rocks with different colors and strange shapes. Apart from gentle waves and clear water, the beach scene is extremely spectacular with the big rocks wearing a green moss coat.
What to do: Tourists will have an opportunity to witness a constant color change of the rocks under the sunlight. You will be enchanted by kaleidoscope colors of the rocks. They can look purple, red, green, black, white… depending on the angle of the light.
Every year, from February to April, throngs of photographers flock to the beach to capture the stunning glisten of the rocks at sunrise and sunset. It is hard to find such an exotic scenery anywhere else.
What tourist likes the most when coming here is the pristine beauty of the beach. Co Thach pagoda (or Chua Hang) and Hang Son are the nearby places that are worth a visit, too.
When to visit: If you are planning to come to Co Thach beach, do not miss the best time in March – the hunting season for seven colored stones or in August when the most important festival – Nghinh Ong is celebrated.

5. Quy Nhon Beach, Binh Dinh
Even though Quy Nhon beach is not regarded as a tourist destination, it deserves to be a rendezvous for beach lover. The city beach is considered as the Maldives of Vietnam. It is untouched by tourism industry, so most visitors are local people.
Highlights: The first impression when coming to Quy Nhon beach is that it is very clean. There is no rubbish scattering everywhere, no tourist buzz, and no vendors with plastic chairs on the strip. The allure of the beach is crystal clear turquoise water, surrounding green hills, and golden sand. Locals orderly lay wooden tables and chairs on the sand and tourists can use thatch umbrellas and lounge with the cost for just a drink.

Source: Avani Quy Nhon Resort

What to do: The beach is completely empty during daytime, so you can be free to enjoy all day in the sun. Moreover, Quy Nhon beach is also a good place for people who want to relax in a quiet setting. What a wonderful place to hide away from bustles of city life. Since Quy Nhon is major in the fishing industry, tourists will have an opportunity to enjoy exceptional seafood.
When to visit: If you feel inclined to pure natural landscape, Quy Nhon beach is worth a visit. It’s better to visit Quy Nhon between February to August when the rainy season stops and the weather is quite pleasant.

6. Beaches in Con Dao Islands
If you are wondering where to stop by on your trip to Vietnam, then select Con Dao islands as your first choice. Con Dao islands, also called Con Dao National Park, are an archipelago of 16 islets in the south of Vietnam that are isolated from the mainland. Therefore, Con Dao islands are the home of many stunning unspoiled beaches.

Highlights: In the top list of pristine beaches, Con Son island appears to be an ideal place where you can see plenty of glorious beaches and bays, namely Lo Voi beach, An Hai beach, Bai Suoi Nong, etc. One of the most appealing beaches of Con Dao island is Bai Dat Doc. Surrounded by bushy woodland and rocky mountains, this beach welcomes travelers to the world of breathtaking natural landscape.
What to do: In Con Dao islands, Dam Trau beach is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing with light waves, clear blue water, and colorful coral reefs.
Apart from exploring the traumatic past of this land with ochre French colonial buildings and jails, it is worth immersing yourself in the magnificent beaches.
Travelers can also go through a tunnel to reach the nearby beach, namely Bai Suoi Nong. Because of this geographic separation, Bai Suoi Nong is almost completely pristine with white sand and lush mangroves.
Are you a fan of camping? Then go to Lo Voi beach and An Hai beach along Ton Duc Thang street. These two beaches are well-known locations for a shore excursion. Group travelling can gather to play with waves and do camping here. Lo Voi beach is charming with long white sand and poplars whereas An Hai (the largest beach) captivates visitors with the covering of numerous majestic mountains.
Nothing is more enjoyable than stepping on the sand of the beach in the morning to enjoy the sun rays, letting your hair blow in the salty breeze with the outlook to the infinite turquoise ocean or strolling along the town to experience idyllic and serene life. All these things bring us a sense of calmness and relaxation.
If you want to find yourself engaging more closely with expansive beaches and evergreen trees, Con Dao islands are the best option.
When to visit: The best time to visit Con Dao island is from March to September. If you are lucky, you will see turtles laying eggs during this time.

7. Long Beach, Phu Quoc Island
As the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is home to many beaches scattered around. Long beach, also called Bai Truong, is one of the must-see places on Phu Quoc island. The beach is located on the west coast of Phu Quoc island with 20km coastal line.

Long beach is divided into two sides: the north and the south. The northern end of the beach is inundated with hotels, guesthouses, hostels, bars, and restaurants, meanwhile, the southern end of the beach is where you can find shopping streets, marina upscale restaurants, luxury resorts, villas, and pearl farms. The beach is easily accessible on foot.
Highlights: What makes Long beach attractive are swaying palm trees, a long stretch of soft yellow sands, clear and calm water. Especially, there is one hanging beach-side palm tree in the northern section of the beach. This is the favorite place for taking wedding photos. The beach offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, squid fishing, and biking around the town. In fact, beaches at Phu Quoc island are considered among the best beaches for snorkeling in Vietnam.
What’s more, you do is renting a bicycle or motorbike to explore pearl farms and traditional fishing villages in the southern end of the beach. If you do not want to participate in the activities, just make your paradise by relaxing on a sun lounge, enjoying a tranquil atmosphere with a sparkling beach, shimmering pellucid water and dancing palm trees beneath a cloudless sky.
Long beach also indulges photographers with breathtaking and glamorous sunset views. It has long captivated visitors thanks to this spectacular scene. Therefore, Long beach is worth an ideal destination in the list of places to go in Phu Quoc.
When to visit: Are you planning to spend your holiday in Phu Quoc? If yes, remember to book your tickets to the island on ideal days between December and May.

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Top 9 Ideal Places for Kayaking Lovers in Vietnam

With the country possessing an array of beautiful lakes and rivers, Vietnam is an ideal destination to enjoy a kayak tour. Let’s take a look at some amazing places for kayaking in Vietnam to choose during your Vietnam holiday.

1. Halong Bay
Halong Bay is one of the wonderful destinations in Vietnam with a lot of amazing landscapes for travelling. Besides that, Halong is also famous for interesting and attracting kayaking which is one of the must-try activities in Halong. During staying on a cruise on Halong bay, visitors can choose a kayak tour to take in the spectacular view of peaceful floating villages, limestone karst, and mysterious stalactite caves.

2. Lan Ha Bay
Located in Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay is the home to approximately 400 islands and islets. The Bay is almost like a brilliant patchwork of natural painting with impressive landscape and seascape. Also, you can easily catch a glimpse of 139 pristine stretching areas of sand waiting out there. Kayaks floating on the emerald water surface allow you to get access to tiny bays and marvel at the colorful underwater world.

Source: Luxury Travel Vietnam

3. Nho Que, Ha Giang
From the top of Ma Pi Leng overlooked down, Nho Que is so peaceful, wild, and mysterious. When travelers enjoy Ha Giang Loop, most of them just could see the Nho Que river from Ma Pi Leng pass and do not have a chance to come down to the river. You could try kayaking on the Nho Que river and cherish this “meandering silk ribbon”. By joining the tour, adventure seekers not only visit the loop but also could learn the traditional customs of local people according to their daily unique activities.

4. Ba Be lake
Kayaking is the best way to explore the breathtaking beauty of Ba Be Lake. The small boat allows you to get up close to the karst mountains and slip into the small caves. These paddle-powered vessels have the bonus of being eco-friendly. Also, without the noise of an engine, you can get much closer to the many different species of wildlife on the lake or explore the hidden corners of the lake, visiting the fishing villages’ surroundings here.

5. Pu Luong

For adventure lovers who want to increase their adrenalin, river kayaking is a very option, especially during the rainy season. Paddle your way through stunning river landscape, passing traditional stilt houses, impressive water wheels, and farmland. Negotiate small rapids and the occasional small dams on your inflatable kayak to arrive at a jaw-dropping field, a perfect spot to combine breathtaking scenery with lunch or a snack.

6. Phong Nha – Ke Bang
Highly renowned as the ‘kingdom of caves’, the Phong Nha – Ke Bang system will fulfill your passion for those in search of kayaking. The kayak will take you to every corner of the cave. You can enjoy fresh and quiet streams and have a closer look at colorful stalactites with several caves including Dark Cave, En Cave, and Huyen Khong Cave.

7. Whale island, Nha Trang

Kayaking is an extremely amazing thing to do on Whale Island in Nha Trang. Admiring a glorious sunset while kayaking on the tranquil sea of Whale Island by your friends is certainly a must-try experience. Many people who visited Vietnam have tried kayaking in Halong bay. But, Whale Island is also a great place to do this activity with another safer experience for those who are afraid of the sea.

6. Tuyen Lam Lake, Da Lat City
5 kilometers to the south of Da Lat City, Tuyen Lam Lake is absolutely fantastic for a kayaking trip.  Try to imagine you can go through picturesque scenes around. How exciting it will be when you dip into the cool breeze from the nearby pine hill and maple forest while lying down on your kayak. That will be an unforgettable experience for you to explore Da Lat.

8. Ham Luong River, Ben Tre
Ham Luong River, Ben Tre Province of the Mekong Delta is where you can kick back and soak up the serene ambiance.  This is the kingdom of coconuts. Thus, it’s easy for you to find out enchanting and tranquil landscapes embellished by canopies of green coconut leaves. And indeed there is nothing more fantastic than kayaking on the calm river with the coconut trees on two sides, which makes the atmosphere more pleasant. If you are interested, a Mekong Delta adventure tour can offer such a kayaking experience.

9. Cua Can river, Phu Quoc
Cua Can River is a long and charming river running through Phu Quoc primeval forest. For nature lovers, this is a suitable destination to combine exploration between rivers and mountains. Cua Can River with very clear water is such a perfect place for kayaking when sailing, you can see fish swimming in the clear water.  You can also see flocks of birds and storks chirping on the bushes in here.

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Top 5 Must experiences for New Year in Vietnam

The new year is coming, a different experience far away from home may bring you unforgettable memories. Why not? Try to create your new experiences in new places with some ideas from Luxury Travel.

1. Exploring The beauty of Moc Chau Plateau in Spring

About 200km away from Hanoi capital, Moc Chau (in Son La) is known as the plateau with cool temperature, tea hills, and ethnic villages.
Thanks to the impressive nature, the plateau stands out as one of the most beautiful destinations for springtime. At this time, the white plum blossom is covering valleys and hills. That makes Moc Chau Plateau extremely attractive and charming. Early January is a great milestone when Moc Chau is beautifully covered with white plum flower/ sakura flowers on a vast terrace. Visitors can eagerly capture the background of the unique flower and enjoy the atmosphere of spring among immense nature.

How to get to Moc Chau, Vietnam:

By national highway 6, you can get both motorbiking and taking bus. Bus ticket ranges from 130,000 VND – 160,000 VND, take about 4 – 5 hours to Moc Chau.

2. Experience “wellness on the cruise” on Halong bay

With the pandemic impacting physical and mental wellbeing, global travellers are craving restorative and health-fortifying escapes – Wellness Tourism will be on the rising trend in 2021. This will be a very special experience for you and your friends. The package has the name “Inside flow, wellness travel on the cruise”, which is shown as one of the series of wellness on crusie” by the Lux Group. ” The journey will be the combination of exploring world-class natural World Heritage Halong bay on a 5-star luxurious Emperor Cruise with health care activities physically, mentally, and spiritually. Visitors will have more time to spend with themselves and participate in caring activities such as Yoga, Meditation, wellness classes on the theme, a traditional Indian oil detox massage experience, networking, and social networking sessions, activities relieve emotions … with the companionship of experienced psychotherapists throughout the journey.

About Emperor cruises: Emperor Cruises introduces the first-ever exclusive all-inclusive Vietnamese cruise experience, a world where everything is included in the price. Emperor Cruises’ fleet of vessels will combine classic elegance with modern comfort. The newly built, custom-designed, the traditional imperial cruise ship will feature three decks that house 02 smart restaurants, two bars, a small library, a gym, a kid corner, 02 massage rooms plus 10 luxurious en-suite cabins with private balconies.

3. Visting pagodas to experience the local culture

Pagodas are one of the popular attractions in Vietnam where travellers can marvel at intricate carvings and well-preserved architecture as well as experience the local culture during their holiday. At the beginning of the year, the local people trend to go to the pagoda with parying the best things in the new year for their families.
There are many more pagodas you can visit. Surroundings Hanoi, you can visit the biggest pagoda in Southeast Asia Tam Chuc (Ha Nam), Perfume pagoda. In Vietnam Central, Thien Mu pagoda (Hue), Linh Ung pagoda (Danang). Tet is coming around here, pagodas in Vietnam are also decorated splendidly. The pagodas tend to be crowded at this time but you get to interact with the locals, watch them make offerings, pray and feel all set to make a fresh start, now that the past year has gone by. This is will be a great experience as you celebrate New Year in Vietnam 2021.

Source: Flickr @kevints_photos

4. Take photos at Sadec flower village

Sa Dec flower village is located in Dong Thap province (in the south of Vietnam). This garden occupies 60 hectares with 600 households – 3,600 laborers specialized in growing flowers and ornamental plants. Unlike several other flower cities nationwide, Sa Dec’s fields yield flowers all year round. However, the best time to visit Sa Dec village is in spring when all flowers are blooming and Sa Dec becomes the world of colorful flowers.

Cars from everywhere come in crowds. All types of flowers and bonsai hasten to go to Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces to boast their beauty in Tet Holiday. The most typical feature of Sa Dec, which is different from other flower villages, is that Sa Dec farmers plant flowers on shelves. According to some old farmers, owners of flower gardens, in the past during flood season they had to move flower pots to higher positions or shelves to avoid being destroyed by water then they changed to plant flowers on shelves

How to get to Sadec, Dong Thap

Around 145km from Ho Chi Minh to Sa Dec. It takes around 3 hours. It’s easy for you to take the bus or private car to transfer between two places.

5. Relaxing at hidden paradise Con Dao

Located off the southern coast of Vietnam, just a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City, untouched by the rapid development of the mainland, Con Dao archipelago remains a pristine gem. The island life is as tranquil as the surrounding water. Comprising 16 mostly uninhabited islands and islets, this is an ideal destination for those who expect an ultimate serenity and seclusion. 80 percent of the land area of the islands is National Park, offering sublime and magnificent landscapes, all set in natural splendor. Imagine losing yourself in Con Dao’s nature while hiking through the rain forest. Try to spot the endemic animal species such as Giant Black Squirrel, Macaque, and the Curved-toe Gecko and listen to the multitude of birdsong and chatter of wildlife. What a moment to remember!

Source: Luxury Travel Vietnam

Apart from striking nature, the island rewards travelers with some of the most beautiful and idyllic beaches in Vietnam. Con Dao islands are well-known for soft sandy beaches, clear alluring water with shades ranging from light turquoise to deep blue, and healthy coral reefs. One thing is for sure: the beaches here will never be crowded. The well-preserved condition and the absolute seclusion make this hidden gem stand out from the other nine popular spots on the list. The lesser-known element now becomes the island’s advantage as it arouses the curiosity in travelers who want to discover one of a few untouched paradises left in Asia. This might also be the reason why the Con Dao archipelago has won the top-pick by Forbes Magazine.

How to get to Con Dao:

Now you can get direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao island.
Hanoi – Con Dao: 2 hours by air
Ho Chi Minh city – Con Dao: 45 minutes hour by air
 
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Everything you need to know when Thailand reopening for visitors

From now, travellers are allowed to visit Thailand but undergo a 14-days quarantine on arrival.

Last months, Thailand had already reopened its borders to foreigners with work permits, residency, or family there. Currently, the country’s government has announced that travellers of all nationalities can apply for new ‘tourist visas’ lasting up to 60 days.

Thailand tours

Under the scheme, international visitors from all countries will be able to stay for up to 60 days – as long as they self-isolate for 14 days at an ‘alternative state quarantine’ hotel on arrival. If they are looking to stay longer, a ‘special tourist visa’ will also be available to those coming from ‘low-risk’ countries including Australia, China, and Vietnam. It will allow stays of up to 90 days and can be extended twice, to a maximum of just under nine months.
All travellers must provide a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival, then take a second test once they land. If they test positive, they will have to quarantine for 14 days in a state hospital (rather than a state-approved hotel, if the result is negative). You must also provide evidence of medical and travel insurance that will cover Covid-19 for at least the length of your stay.

Source: :Luxury Travel Vietnam

Both of the new visa plans are aimed at reviving Thailand’s tourism industry, which contributes 20 percent of the country’s GDP, employing more than four million people in regular years.

So if you’re looking for your fix of street food and tropical islands, Thailand could be back on the agenda – as long as you’re in it for the long haul. Here are seven reasons why Thailand should be on your 2021 travel list.

Remember, many countries are still warning against all non-essential travel and some are quarantining all overseas arrivals, including their own returning citizens. Check all the relevant restrictions before you think about travelling.

A Quick Guide to Apply visa to Thailand

1. Tourist Visas (TR Visa)

To apply for the certificate of entry travelers must meet the following entry requirements:

• Approved Visa
• Approved COE
• Copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family). The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly), In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• Must be provided 14-day‘ state quarantine’ upon arrival
• All countries may apply for Medical insurance that covers COVID-19 with at least $100,000 USD in coverage for the entire duration of your stay.
• Proof of alternative state quarantine reservation (ASQ)
  How to Apply:

1. Travelers must apply for a visa at the Thai embassy/consulate in their home country

2. Travelers then can apply for the COE on the official Thai Government website.

2. Long Stay Tourists: STV Visa (Special Tourist Visa)
Thailand announced a 90-day visa for long-stay tourists on September 15th, 2020. The visa is called the ‘Special Tourist Visa’ (STV). Once approved, then travelers can apply for the certificate of entry (COE).

Entry Requirements:

• Approved Visa
• Approved COE
• Proof of payment for 90-day accommodation booking
• Copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family). The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly), In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.
• 14-day‘ state quarantine’ upon arrival
• All countries may apply for Medical insurance that covers COVID-19 with at least $100,000 USD in coverage for the entire duration of your stay.
• Proof of alternative state quarantine reservation (ASQ)
  How to Apply:

1. Travelers must apply for a visa at the Thai embassy/consulate in their home country

2. Travelers then can apply for the COE on the official Thai Government website.

Length of Stay and Renewals

The Special Tourist Visa will allow approved travelers to stay in Thailand for 90 days. It can be renewed twice, for 90 days each time.

3. Travelers that fall into the above categories must also follow Thailand’s health protocols including:

• Travel health insurance that also covers covid
• All travelers arriving in Thailand must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR swab test taken within 72 hours prior to the flight
• A pre-screening health declaration card filled out before the departure
• The wearing of masks mandatory on in-bound flights and in the airport
• Thermal scans and temperature checks upon arrival

 

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A Different Christmas 2020 around the World during Covid-19 Pandemic

How families should celebrate Christmas and New Year while the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic rages on. Governments fear that relaxing rules and restrictions might usher in another spike in the number of cases when many countries are already witnessing a second wave, each country has their different ways to prepare for the Christmas holiday.
In Itay, the Government banned midnight mass and halted inter-town movements. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the majority of the lockdown measures will be eased from December 15 for the festive break. Shops, cinemas, and theatres will reopen just in time for Christmas. The German government has imposed travel restrictions during the festive period, and limited indoor gatherings over the Christmas holidays to 10 people Christmas markets and New Year’s firework displays both have been cancelled. Currently, 22 states have imposed travel restrictions, with Alaska, California, Hawaii, Connecticut asking travellers to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Surely, this will a different Christmas during Covid-19 Pandemic but that does not mean that it cannot be a merry one. Seeing the pictures of happy people on a different Christmas 2020 (source: the Guardian)

Santas have their temperature taken as they attend a socially distanced Santa school training at Southwark Cathedral in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Stan Thompson, dressed as Santa Claus, talks to children in a car during a physically distant drive-through visit in Indianola, Iowa.
Photograph: Jack Kurtz/Zuma Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

Skaters and cyclists dressed in Santa Claus outfits make their way along the Kurfürstendamm boulevard in Berlin on 6 December.
Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

A chocolate Santa Claus prepared by patisserie owner Tassos Vazakas in Lykovrysi, Athens. Patisseries remain open during Greece’s second lockdown.
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

A man dressed as Santa Claus hands out surgical masks in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

Penguins walk with a trainer in a Santa costume as part of a Christmas event at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium in Yokohama, Japan.
Photograph: Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO/Rex/Shutterstock

Santa lies on a fake coffin in Lyon, France as shop owners call for the reopening of their stores that were closed as part of government measures to curb the spread of Covid.
Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

Santa Claus greets Jaythan Corbacho with an elbow bump at the Selfridges store in London.
Photograph: Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images

Children visit with Santa in a snow globe at Automobile Alley’s Lights on Broadway display in Oklahoma City.
Photograph: Doug Hoke/AP

Santa Larry speaks with a virtual visitor at the Santa Experience in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The owners had initially set up a socially distanced set, featuring a cabin with a plexiglass window, but moved completely online after new Covid restrictions were put in place.
Photograph: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Children visit with Santa in a snow globe at Automobile Alley’s Lights on Broadway display in Oklahoma City.
Photograph: Doug Hoke/AP

A child in a mask visits a Santa Clause behind plexiglass at Cabela’s retail store in Hudson, Massachusetts.
Photograph: Allison Dinner/Zuma Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

 

A child visits Santa Claus inside an old cable car near Sugar Loaf Mountain during a Christmas event in Rio de Janeiro.
Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

Matt Quagliotto and Bridie Jabour pose at a distance from Santa with their children Hamish (toddler) and Cormac (baby) in Sydney, Australia.

 

 

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