How can I know in advance which areas of Vietnam I'm not allowed to travel in, or need a permit, as a foreigner?
Today I hitchhiked northwest out of Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak province, getting as far as Ea Sup. I went this way because it was the route Google Maps suggested as the shortest or quickest in the direction toward Hue.
But I met a guy there when I was about to head east out of town before the storm hit and he told me I had to come with him to some office because I couldn't travel in this border area since I'm a foreigner.
It seems neither me nor Google Maps was aware of this restriction. I know I'm a bit off the tourist trail, that's kind of the point. But I'd like to be able to choose a route knowing in advance that I won't get sent back and lose a day.
Where can I find good information about this?
Best Answer
To add a bit more info to this I'd say the best advice is to watch out for a sign saying:
Khu V?c C?m
Normally there is an English translation below but not always. Passing a sign like this is not advised and once got me in a bit of trouble. These are generally for military areas though locals will be able to pass without a problem (when it is a region). In these cases Vietnamese are more likely to ask you to politely leave unless they suspect you are up to no good e.g. drug smuggling, wildlife hunting etc.
Some parks etc. are also restricted and require permits and in some cases some overzealous workers might say a place is restricted because it was in the past even though it no longer is. Local advice is often difficult to find and if you do hope to explore try asking in the nearest major town (Thanh Pho). Tour guides in the tourist cities may give conflicting information if it isn't on the regular 'routes' they sell to the majority.
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Are foreigners allowed to enter Vietnam now?
Effective March 15, 2022, the Vietnamese government has resumed pre-pandemic visa issuance policies. All previous visa restrictions have been lifted. Effective May 15, 2022, the Vietnamese Government no longer requires a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry into Vietnam.Can foreigners enter Vietnam now 2021?
As per the Document, foreign arrivals are required to: Take a COVID-19 negative test using the RT-PCR method 72 hours before entering Vietnam OR a rapid Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entering Vietnam.What is Vietnam visa exemption?
5-year visa exemption for Vietnam is granted to Vietnamese overseas, foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese overseas, or Vietnamese citizens. The visa exemption certificate acts as a long-term visa for its holders to visit Vietnam at any time within 5 years.What happens if you test positive in Vietnam?
If you test positive with COVID-19 you may have to self-isolate for 7 days. Most provinces permit self-isolation at your place of residence if it meets the requirements of local authorities, but you may be required to self-isolate in a designated quarantine centre or hotel.Next War: Vietnam - advanced system rules step by step 1
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Images: Quang Nguyen Vinh, Quang Nguyen Vinh, Quang Nguyen Vinh, Quang Nguyen Vinh