The Chinese Government has decided to add Vietnam to the list of countries where travel agencies are allowed to organize group tours for Chinese tourists, starting from March 15, according to the General Department of Tourism at the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

This is the second phase of China’s pilot program on resuming outbound group tours.

At a working session on March 8 with Mr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Head of the ministry’s International Cooperation Department, Mr. Peng Shituan, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, said Vietnam will be one of the countries prioritized for China resuming direct air routes with passengers not being required to show an negative Covid PCR test result.

Visitors entering the country need only provide quick test results or engage in 2 per cent random tests, he said.

Travel agencies and tourism establishments in Vietnam have prepared plans to welcome back Chinese tourists.