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What is a Vaccine Passport? Which Countries Accept Vietnam’s Vaccine Passport?

Vaccine passports have been one of the strategies employed by countries to combat the spread of COVID-19. But what exactly are vaccine passports, and which countries recognize the vaccine passport from Vietnam? An intriguing topic that warrants further exploration, don't you think?

Administrator

9 August, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the health and well-being of many, especially hindering travel activities and leaving avid travelers feeling exhausted due to restricted movements. As the pandemic situation shows signs of improvement, countries worldwide have discussed and implemented vaccine passports to facilitate easier travel between nations. Let’s explore more about vaccine passports in today’s article!

1 What is a Vaccine Passport? Its Significance

What is a Vaccine Passport?

A vaccine passport is an electronic COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued by authorized vaccination facilities and the Ministry of Health to individuals, adhering to standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU). 62 countries utilize this framework, and more nations are expected to adopt it in the future.

Significance of a Vaccine Passport

A vaccine passport facilitates smoother processes for studying, working, investing, or traveling to other countries, ensuring safety measures against COVID-19 are in place.

What is a Vaccine Passport? Its Significance

2 Vaccine Passport Validity Period

The QR code on the Vaccine Passport expires 12 months after the date of digital signature confirmation by the Ministry of Health. Upon expiration, you will be notified and automatically issued a new QR code for use. This technical solution ensures the security and protection of your information.

Vaccine Passport Validity Period

3 Countries Accepting Vietnam’s Vaccine Passport

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of April 7, 2022, Vietnam has reached agreements on mutual recognition of vaccine passports with 19 countries, including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Belarus, Cambodia, the Philippines, Palestine, the Maldives, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Singapore, Saint Lucia, South Korea, Iran, and Malaysia.

Countries Accepting Vietnam’s Vaccine Passport

4 Information on the Vaccine Passport

The vaccine passport contains 11 pieces of information, presented in the following order: Full name, date of birth, nationality, disease name, number of vaccine doses administered, date of vaccination, dose number, vaccine name, vaccine manufacturer or provider, and certificate number… This information is digitally signed, encrypted, and packaged in a 2D QR code format.

Information on the Vaccine Passport

5 How to Obtain a Vaccine Passport

If you have been vaccinated and your information has been updated by the vaccination facility onto the system, and verified against the National Population Database, you will be digitally signed and issued a “Vaccine Passport” without any additional procedures.

How to Obtain a Vaccine Passport

6 How to View Your Vaccine Passport

Your vaccine passport will be accessible through applications such as the Electronic Health Book, PC-Covid, or the Ministry of Health’s inquiry page, which is currently under development and will be announced soon. Even individuals who have received only one dose of the vaccine will be granted a Vaccine Passport.

How to View Your Vaccine Passport

7 Vaccine Passport Issuance Procedure

According to the Decision No. 5772/QD-BYT dated December 20, 2021, by the Ministry of Health, the procedure for issuing a Vaccine Passport consists of the following three steps:

Step 1 Vaccination facilities review, verify, and authenticate individuals’ information regarding COVID-19 vaccination, as per the guidelines outlined in Official Dispatch No. 8938/BYT-DP dated October 21, 2021, issued by the Ministry of Health, concerning instructions on the procedure for information verification and COVID-19 vaccination, and Official Dispatch No. 9438/BYT-CNTT dated November 5, 2021, by the Ministry of Health, regarding guidelines on the procedure for authenticating individuals’ information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Management Platform.

Step 2 Vaccination facilities digitally sign on the COVID-19 Vaccination Management Platform. This platform is connected and shares data with the COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate Management System.

Step 3 The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health digitally signs the COVID-19 vaccination confirmation centrally. The certificate is issued in the form of a QR code, adhering to EU standards.

Vaccine Passport Issuance Procedure

8 Additional Information for Travelers

Besides the information provided above about vaccine passports, please take note of the following:

When traveling, you only need to present your unique QR code at the border checkpoint, along with other relevant documents such as a negative test result, travel insurance, etc.
For countries and territories that have not yet recognized Vietnam’s vaccine passport, travelers can still visit as long as they meet the conditions and policies of those destinations. Most of these countries require providing a negative test result and proof of vaccination. It is essential to stay updated with the embassies of these countries before departure!
In Dubai (UAE), travelers must carry a PCR test result, proof of full vaccination (two doses) in paper format, notarized, and bilingual. If you no longer have the paper certificate, you can access the vaccination portal to retrieve your information and print the certificate.
For travel to Thailand, registration through the Test & Go program and obtaining a Thailand Pass are required. Subsequently, submit your portrait photo, vaccination certificate from the vaccination portal, scanned insurance, and hotel booking confirmation.
In European countries, you only need to book tickets with airlines and provide relevant documents such as proof of vaccination and insurance… to the airline. After confirming that you meet the requirements to board the plane, you can enter these countries without presenting additional documents.

Additional Information for Travelers

The above information about vaccine passports will be useful if you plan to travel abroad during the current COVID-19 situation. Stay informed, and travel safely!

Frequently asked questions

A vaccine passport is a digital or physical document that proves an individual’s vaccination status. It typically includes information such as the type of vaccine received, the dates of vaccination, and the issuer of the vaccine.

Vaccine passports are important because they can facilitate safe cross-border travel and help individuals demonstrate their vaccination status to gain access to certain venues or events. They can also help governments and health authorities track vaccination rates and manage public health measures.

As of February 2022, Vietnam’s vaccine passport is recognized by approximately 70 countries and territories, including Japan, the United States, Australia, Russia, and most of Europe. The list of countries that accept Vietnam’s vaccine passport is subject to change, so it is recommended to check the latest information with the relevant authorities before traveling.

To obtain a vaccine passport in Vietnam, individuals must have received a full course of vaccination that is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). This includes vaccines such as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, individuals must have a valid visa or residency permit, and they must register their vaccination information with the Vietnamese government through the online portal or mobile app.

When traveling, individuals may be required to present their vaccine passport at various stages of their journey, including when boarding a flight, entering a country, or participating in certain activities. It is important to carry the vaccine passport at all times and to ensure that it is easily accessible. Individuals may also need to present additional documentation, such as a negative COVID-19 test result, depending on the specific requirements of their destination.