Few arrivals as Vietnam, Laos reopen borders
HANOI: Vietnam and Laos have reopened their borders as the Covid-19 pandemic situation has eased in both countries.
With Laos reopening to foreigners on Monday, those entering the country only need to prove they have received two vaccine doses.
The two countries share a 2,161km-long border that runs across 10 provinces in the northern and central parts of Vietnam and many Vietnamese businesses trade goods with vendors in Laos.
The Vn Express portal reported that normal operations had resumed at the Lao Bao border gate in Huong Hoa district, the La Lay gate in Quang Tri province in central Vietnam and the Nam Can border gate in Nghe An province.
However, officials said the border gates were quiet on Monday morning with only dozens of people and several trucks crossing the border into Laos.
The Laotian Times reported that the government had fully reopened all international checkpoints since Monday, allowing vaccinated travellers to enter the country without any testing requirements.
However, unvaccinated citizens, foreign citizens and residents aged 12 years and above need to take a rapid test at least 48 hours prior to departure and present the results upon arrival.
Laos Immigration officials also reported a quiet day at international border checkpoints on the first day of reopening.
Immigration Police Department chief Colonel Saysaming Sivilay said all 32 international checkpoints had been reopened following the announcement that the country would fully reopen to tourism.
Immigration officials stationed at the Friendship Bridge at the Thai border also reported a small number of arrivals, including a Thai tour group and a few foreigners.
There were no arrivals at the Wattay International Airport in Vientiane on Monday but three flights landed on Tuesday.
Citizens of countries that have bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreements with Laos are allowed to enter Laos without the need for a visa.
Authorities said visa on arrivals would be reinstated at certain international checkpoints.