The central province of Quang Nam, home to UNESCO-recognized Hoi An Ancient Town, is expected to be Vietnam’s first locality to apply 'vaccine passport' policy once approved by the prime minister.

The Quang Nam People’s Committee, the local tourism sector, and businesses had spent months drafting a detail plan on such vaccine passport policy, said Nguyen Thanh Hong, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The plan has been supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and will soon be submitted to the national government for approval.

According to the scheme, the reopening of some international routes to Vietnam will be piloted from July to September, with target groups being South Korean visitors who seek resort-oriented vacations and golf tourism.

The top priority is to ensure safety for tourists as well as local workers and residents, said Le Tri Thanh, chairman of the Quang Nam People’s Committee.

The South Korean visitors would travel to the Vietnamese province on charter flights and land at Chu Lai Airport.

The tourists will then be transported to Hoiana and Tui Blue Nam Hoi An resorts for their vacations lasting five to ten days.

They must have vaccine passports and test negative for the novel coronavirus. The visitors will undergo another COVID-19 test before heading back to their home country.

The transportation and provision of services to these visitors will have to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.

The two resorts are separated from residential areas, which will minimize the risk of virus spread, while all staff members will also be vaccinated and required to wear protective clothing when having contact with the foreign tourists.

“If the results are promising, the plan will be applied to other tourist areas and groups of visitors,” Chairman Thanh stated.

Nguyen Phu Khanh, deputy general manager of Tui Blue Nam Hoi An, said that all units of the resort have been focusing on preparing for the welcoming of international tourists.

Separate welcoming areas have been established, and special training sessions have been provided to all staff members, Khanh elaborated.

Hoiana has also been making necessary preparations for the upcoming trial phase.

The resort complex covers hundreds of hectares, has a private gate, and consists of premium hotels, suites, golf courses, and restaurants.

Nguyen Van Trung, representative of Chu Lai Airport, said that the airdrome is waiting for specific instructions from competent authorities.

Exclusive terminals will be designated to welcome foreign visitors, while certain areas and equipment will also be renovated, Trung added.

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