Four of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations – Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – have begun to relax entry requirements for tourists. And, the news will certainly come as ‘music to the ears’ of those who are looking to enjoy the stunning nature, beautiful white-sand beaches, delicious food, and much much more that these four sun-blessed countries have to offer.
Let’s take a closer look at what is currently required for tourists to be able to visit these fascinating countries.
Malaysia
After many previous reports of border reopenings – which were due to take place from the beginning of the year (2022) – Malaysia finally looks set to welcome tourists back in just a matter of weeks (early March). It is being reported that from 1 March the nation will allow those – who are looking to visit the country for tourism purposes – to enter without the need to undergo quarantine.
Instead, visitors will need to undergo COVID-19 screening, with testing required both before entering – and on arrival in Malaysia. The country – which has one of the highest vaccine uptakes in the world – will be hoping that the news of borders reopening to travelers will see the tourism industry begin to flourish again – with more than 26 million people having visited the nation in pre-pandemic times (2019).
Philippines
Famous for some of the most stunningly-gorgeous beaches – and vast amounts of beautiful islands – the Philippines has begun allowing visitors to enter the country once again to enjoy all that this amazing nation has to offer. Having been closed for tourism purposes – like the majority of Southeast Asia – for around two years, those from 150 countries can even enter visa-free.
The new entry requirements – which came into effect from February 10 – require travelers, whether vaccinated or not, to take a PCR test no more than 48 hours before departure. And, for those who have completed their full vaccination there is no need for them to quarantine, but instead self-monitoring is required for the next 7 days after arriving into the country.
Thailand
Boasting the most-visited capital city in the world – Bangkok – Thailand has already started allowing tourists to enter the nation without the need to undergo quarantine. Instead, travelers can enter the country through its ‘test and go’ programme, which originally commenced back in November last year (2021) – but was quickly halted due to an uprising in the number of COVID-19 cases in the nation. Visitors are required to undertake COVID-19 PCR tests on days 1 and 5 of their arrival.
Anyone looking to enter Thailand – a nation that offers so much to visitors with its variety of breathtakingly-beautiful nature, beaches, islands and cities that are full of culture – will need to apply for what is called a ‘Thailand Pass’ before being able to enter. If Thailand is at the top of your travel list – and you are interested to find out exactly what is required to be able to once again enjoy the wide variety of attractions that the nation has to offer – you can check out our easy guide to Thailand’s ‘test and go’ programme.
Vietnam
Having been one of the most-challenging countries to enter in the world – even for its own citizens – throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam is looking to welcome back tourists in around a month from now.
With the nation having resumed its full schedule of international flights just a few days ago (February 15), Vietnam is looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, by relaxing its entry requirements.
The nation’s tourism ministry has proposed that travelers will need to undergo a one-day quarantine – as well as show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before entry to the country. Visitors will also be required to take another COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival.
