1. On the occasion of Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Taeho’s courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam Pham Binh Minh on December 4, the governments of Korea and Viet Nam have agreed to implement the “Korea-Viet Nam special entry procedure” aimed at supporting the essential travel of business people between the two countries from January 1, 2021.

o On various occasions including high-level exchanges between Korea and Viet Nam, the two countries have shared a common understanding on the need to institutionalize the special entry procedure aimed at supporting business people’s economic activities, while continuing efforts for disease prevention and control to respond to COVID-19, and have held working-level consultations in order to reach this agreement.

o In addition, even amid the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups as well as the Korean Embassy in Viet Nam and other relevant agencies, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KOTRA, the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KORCHAM), the Korea Federation of SMEs in Hanoi, and the Korean Association, have actively cooperated in operating charter flights frequently (from April 29) in order to support Korean business people’s business trips to Viet Nam. The development of bilateral cooperative mechanisms through the continuation of such economic and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries has contributed significantly to reaching the agreement on special entry procedure.

2. The agreement on special entry procedure has established an institutional foundation enabling Korean business people on a short business trip to Viet Nam (less than 14 days) to conduct business activities right after entering Viet Nam without a 14-day quarantine.

o In accordance with the “Korea-Viet Nam special entry procedure,” Korean business people should obtain approval for entry and activity plans, including measures for disease prevention and control, from provincial people’s committees; obtain approval for the issuance of visa from the immigration office of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security; and get a visa in Korea; and upon entry into Viet Nam, can carry out activities in Viet Nam approved in advance, while following special measures for disease prevention and control.

3. The agreement on special entry procedure is expected to further facilitate economic exchanges with Viet Nam, Korea’s key trading partner and investment destination as well as a major cooperation partner for the New Southern Policy, in addition to Korean business people’s travel to Viet Nam through charter flights being arranged mainly by the Korean Embassy in Viet Nam and other relevant agencies amid the COVID-19 situation.

o Korea and Viet Nam will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the special entry procedure by making joint efforts for its smooth operation through diplomatic channels.

4. For inquiries on the “Korea-Viet Nam special entry procedure” for Korean business people, you may contact the Business Travel Support Center (1566-8110, www.btsc.or.kr) and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (02-6050-3562, 3552). For information on a Vietnamese visa, you may contact the Embassy of Viet Nam in Korea ((for inquiries) 02-725-2487/(reservation for visit) 02-732-4881).