Message for U.S. Citizens: New COVID-19 Restrictions for HCMC and Elsewhere, Limited Consular Services
Ho Chi Minh City: On July 9, 2021, Vietnamese authorities implemented Directive 16 in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas for 15 days. This directive requires many types of businesses that had been able to operate under the previous directives to close, stipulates a 30 percent in-presence staffing limit for those entities allowed to stay open, and requires travelers from Ho Chi Minh City to other locations to self-quarantine at home for at least seven days and conduct mandatory COVID-19 testing.
U.S. citizens are reminded that under this citywide social distancing order, residents and visitors should only go out to buy food and medicine, seek medical attention, or work at locations identified as essential. The U.S. Mission in Vietnam advises U.S. citizens to follow guidelines imposed by Vietnamese authorities and stay home as much as possible.
Directive 16 in Ho Chi Minh City imposes additional limits on our ability to provide consular services and keep our staff and customers safe. Therefore, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City will be closed for all but emergency services to U.S. citizens until at least July 26, 2021. Please note that notarial services will not be provided during this time. Please visit our COVID-19 page for more information, updates, and how to reschedule appointments. U.S. citizens may request an emergency American Citizen Service appointment via phone or our inquiry form here. Visa applicants with urgent travel needs should follow the instructions here (for Nonimmigrant visas) or contact us here (for Immigrant visas).
Hanoi: U.S. citizens in Hanoi and elsewhere in Vietnam may also encounter additional restrictions as the Vietnamese Government takes additional steps to try to contain the latest spike in cases. From July 8, the Hanoi People’s Committee has suspended outdoor physical training and sports activity until further notice and recommends people only leave their homes when necessary. U.S. citizens should expect an increase in mobile checkpoints throughout Hanoi. The U.S. Mission reminds all U.S. citizens that they may encounter movement restrictions, quarantine or testing requirements at any time, and often without warning. The U.S. Mission is unable to intervene in such instances.
We recommend U.S. citizens check the Embassy’s COVID-19 page daily for information, and register or update their information in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).