Ha Noi, 17 June, 2022 - With financial support of USD 1.6 million from the Government of Japan, IOM Viet Nam is supporting the Government of Viet Nam in enhancing public health capacity at Points of Entry (POE) of six land-border crossings in Ha Giang, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Binh Phuoc, Dak Lac and Tay Ninh provinces and five international airports (Noi Bai, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Tan Son Nhat, and Phu Quoc airports) in Viet Nam.

From March 2022 to May 2023, IOM in partnership with the Immigration Department of Ministry of Public Security (MPSI) conducted a needs assessment to examine the needs and gaps in infection prevention and control measures at the aforementioned five international airports. Based on findings of the needs assessment, essential hygiene supplies and equipment are donated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for frontline officials and travellers at the airports. For the handover of the supplies and equipment, MPSI, the Embassy of Japan and IOM held the handover ceremony in Hanoi on 17 June 2022. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam received 14 million international arrivals by air in 2019. However, COVID-19 pandemic significantly deceased the number of international arrivals by 79.5% in 2020. Viet Nam has reopened its international border for the first time in two years since the middle of March 2022. The country expects to welcome more international tourists this year compared to the past two years. 

“Although many countries including Viet Nam are opening international borders with high coverage of COVID-19 vaccines, we should not put our guard down. Because COVID-19 is still evolving, and there are always risks of new outbreaks. It is important for Viet Nam to continue strengthening the public health capacity at the Points of Entry.” said Mihyung Park, IOM Viet Nam Chief of Mission. 

For safe resumption of international travels, IOM will continue to assist frontline workers working at POE by equipping frontline workers with necessary skills for infection prevention and control and providing essential hygiene supplies and other equipment. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Aiko Kaji, Migration Health Project Development and Implementation Officer at akaji@iom.int.