The pandemic has caused the tourism industry in the world to plummet, especially in Southeast Asia where tourism is a moneymaker. It was especially hard for countries in Southeast Asia compared to the rest of the world because governments kept their countries’ borders closed for almost two years – including domestic travel restrictions.
But now that things are easing up in 2022, Southeast Asian countries are now welcoming tourists to visit their country. If you’re planning to have a vacation this year, then sit back and continue reading this as we help you plan your visit.
Disclaimer: This is based from current information from official sources as of writing. Entry requirements are subject to change at any time.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia opened its borders for tourists last November 15, 2021. Fully-vaccinated travelers are no longer required to provide a negative COVID test result, and they do not need to undergo quarantine anymore – just present an evidence that you got your two doses of your vaccine.
Non-vaccinated individuals may also enter the country but will need to undergo quarantine for 7 days and take a PCR test before leaving isolation. The list of the full requirements can be found here.
MYANMAR
Myanmar is open to fully vaccinated tourists, provided that they show their COVID-19 vaccination certificates showing proof of full vaccination. Tourists are also required to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival in Myanmar, and the test result must be negative.
Here is the full list of requirements needed in traveling to Myanmar.
BALI, INDONESIA
Foreign travelers must show a card/certificate (physical or digital) proving that they have received complete 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, minimum 14 days before departure.
Upon arrival, they must undergo a COVID-19 symptom check, including a body temperature check, with the following conditions:
- If there is no symptom of COVID-19 and body temperature is below 37.5 degrees Celsius: no need to undergo RT-PCR examination upon arrival
- If there is any symptom of COVID-19 or body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius: must undergo RT-PCR examination upon arrival.
Quarantine is no longer required for those who have received complete doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. For those who are unvaccinated or have not completed their doses yet, a quarantine period of 5 x 24 hours will be required.
The full list of regulations and requirements can be found here.
LAOS
Foreign travelers are no longer need to quarantine or undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Laos. However, those who are not fully vaccinated must present a negative rapid antigen test result taken within 48 hours before departure.
Learn more about traveling to Laos here.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia has reopened its borders to short term visitors. Travelers will be required to undertake a number of actions in advance of departure to Malaysia and upon arrival, including;
- Downloading and registering a profile on the public health app “MySejahtera”;
- Completing a Digital Pre-Departure Form;
- Verifying your vaccination certificate.
Please read carefully the Malaysian Government’s pre-travel checklist, as well as their definition of fully and partially vaccinated.
While fully vaccinated travelers can now enter Malaysia without testing or quarantine, anyone who is not fully vaccinated must take both pre-departure and on-arrival tests. They must also quarantine for 5 days upon arrival.
The full list of requirements and regulations can be found here.
PHILIPPINES
Fully-vaccinated tourists from visa-required countries will still need to follow the immigration, visa, and testing procedures set by the government. Starting May 30, 2022, travelers aged 18 and above will be exempted from the testing requirement as long as they can present proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination and at least one booster shot. Minors aged 12 to 17 are not required to have a booster shot and only need to present proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination.
Travelers with NO BOOSTER shot must secure and present a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 48h OR negative laboratory-administered antigen/ART test within 24h from their travel from an MOH-approved provider.
Foreign nationals with NO Booster shot who test positive on their pre-departure RT-PCR or ART (whether fully-recovered or as new infection) will not be allowed entry into the Philippines under current regulations.
For the complete list of requirements in the Philippines, click here.
SINGAPORE
Singapore is open to fully vaccinated travelers from around the world. As long as you qualify as fully vaccinated, you can travel to Singapore without the need to undergo pre-departure testing or quarantine. You must have verifiable proof that you have completed a full vaccination at least 14 days prior to your intended departure using a COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Currently, non-fully vaccinated short-term visitors are generally not allowed entry into Singapore except visitors with other valid entry approval.
For the full list of requirements to travel to Singapore, click here.
THAILAND
Thailand welcomes both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists. Fully-vaccinated travelers need only to present their COVID-19 vaccination certificate, provided that they have received complete doses of their vaccine at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand.
Upon arriving in Thailand, all travelers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
Vaccinated travelers will be free to go anywhere in Thailand, as well as unvaccinated/partially vaccinated travelers who have proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel.
For unvaccinated/partially vaccinated travelers without a negative test result within 72 hours of travel, they are required to follow the public health instructions and guidelines as deemed appropriate by the Health Control officer at the point of arrival.
Click here for more guidelines on Thailand’s entry requirements.
VIETNAM
Vietnam is back to the pre-pandemic tourism. Travelers are currently not required to test before departure, on arrival, or at any stage. You do not need to prove your vaccination status, nor undergo quarantine.
However, upon arrival, you must present a proof of valid medical/travel insurance covering COVID-19 treatment. You must also download the PC-Covid mobile application that you must present when entering establishments in Vietnam.
For the full guide on traveling to Vietnam, check out this website.
Which Southeast Asian country are you eyeing to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Featured photo from Switch Asia