Southeast Asian countries in turn have reopened spots to recover the tourism and economy of the nations since last year. To ensure both safety during the Covid-19 epidemic and convenience for travelers, countries have developed and implemented regulations and procedures optimally to simulate traveling demand. Therefore, we have compiled the regulations as well as travel guides to each country in Southeast Asia below to help you have a perfect trip there.
Table of Contents
Bali, Indonesia
Entry requirements: Indonesian officially opens Bali to tourists from all countries on Friday, February 4. Vaccinated arrivals must take five days quarantine while unvaccinated arrivals must take seven days in a government-approved hotel. Travelers must pay for the expense. Moreover, they need to show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result before arrival. Visitors must take the second test at the airport. All arrivals must provide proof of health insurance with COVID coverage.
How to get there: On February 16 Singapore Airlines, the first to return flights to Bali. Travelers could fly into Jakarta but would have to undergo quarantine there before moving on to Bali.
Where to visit: Travelers must quarantine for 5 days in a five-star resort or hotel such as Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Sanur, or Ubud. Outside of that, most places are open. However, shorter hours for restaurants and enhanced health and safety measures for attractions like Pura Tanah Lot and Uluwatu Temple. Masks are required everywhere. Travelers have to download the PeduliLindungi contract tracing app to check into restaurants, bars, and even beaches.
Laos
Entry requirements: Laos is open to tourists from select countries including the US, UK, Australia, Ireland, Israel, Denmark, and Indonesia, among others, under the special Travel Green Zones and Trails programs. Other entry conditions include a health insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000 and a pre-departure COVID-19 test. A second test will be administered upon arrival.
How to get there: Laos is open to almost every country in Southeast Asia. Therefore, if you want to include Laos in a multi-trip Southeast Asian vacation, it should be easy enough. However, the only way to enter Laos, regardless of where you’re coming from, is through pre-arranged group tours with authorized agents under the Green Zone travel plans.
Where to visit: The designated Green Zones include the capital city of Vientiane; Luang Prabang province; and the adventure destination of Vang Vieng in the north of the country. However, more destinations will be added to the programs on April 1. It’s hoped that the entire country will open up in July.
Cambodia
Entry requirements: Cambodia reopened to vaccinated international tourists without quarantine back in November 2021. Travelers crossing the border must present proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result, then take a rapid antigen test upon arrival and await results at the airport.
How to get there: There are no direct flights from the US, UK, or Australia to Cambodia but there are options with connections. The Embassy recommends US travelers book flights through a travel agency or directly with Korean Airlines or Asiana Airlines. UK travelers have additional options such as Swiss Airlines or Bangkok Airlines with stopovers.
Where to visit: In tourist cities like Siem Reap, most places are open including the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat. Hotels, restaurants, and museums are open, but travelers must wear masks in most places. Moreover, some businesses may be operating at reduced hours, so check in advance.
Vietnam
Entry requirements: Tourists from approved countries can travel to Vietnam. They can visit certain destinations under a pilot travel scheme until latest April 30, 2022. Besides, visitors must present proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result, and take out health insurance that covers COVID with a minimum of US$50,000 coverage.
How to get there: International flights have resumed from San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US, as well as from Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and more. When visiting Vietnam, tourists have to travel in a tour package and stay within their chosen destination for 3 days. Then, travelers can move to another approved destination, provided they test negative before traveling.
Where to visit: Tourists can choose from five beach destinations including Phu Quoc, Danang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Ninh.
Singapore
Entry requirements: Besides the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program, Singapore is open to vaccinated travelers from select countries including the US, UK, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and France. Travelers must take 2 negative COVID tests for entry, one within 48 hours of departure and one upon arrival.
How to get there: Foreign visitors can bypass quarantine when arriving on a designated VTL flight, mainly through Singapore Airlines, KLM, and Air France.
Where to visit: Most places are open but travelers will find museums and attractions operating at half-capacity and restaurants, coffee shops, and hawker centers limiting dining to two people per group.
Thailand
Entry requirements: There are two pathways into Thailand: the Test-and-Go and the Sandbox programs with some testing and quarantine requirements in place. Unvaccinated visitors have to quarantine for between seven to 10 days. You’ll need to pre-book some accommodation and tests before traveling.
How to get there: Commercial flights are operating to Thailand and the government has approved entry for travelers coming from most Southeast Asian countries, as well as the US, Australia, the UK, Canada, Ireland, France, Japan, and more.
Where to visit: If you travel under the Sandbox program, you’re restricted to destinations such as Phuket or Koh Samui. If you’re eligible for the Test-and-Go scheme, you can travel all over Thailand. Museums, historical sites, and galleries are operating under some capacity limits. Restaurants are open but bars, karaoke venues, and nightclubs remain closed.
Philippines
Entry requirements: Borders reopen on February 10. Fully vaccinated travelers from 157 visa-free countries can visit the Philippines without quarantine. However, they must test negative for COVID-19 prior to their trip.
How to get there: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines flies direct routes from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, and nearby Asian countries but at reduced frequencies. According to Skift, flights from London’s Heathrow only depart once a week now compared to four times before the pandemic. Australian airline Qantas will resume flights from Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne to Manila later this month.
Where to visit: Tourists can travel across the Philippines without being restricted to specific destinations. After closing to visitors due to over-tourism issues, the island of Boracay is back open.
