Vietnam urges ASEAN to adopt mutual acceptance of vaccine passports

Minister Bui Thanh Son made the proposal at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMMR) held in Cambodia Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also requested that ASEAN continues to deploy Covid-19 response initiatives to resume traveling and transportation for post-Covid recovery, while enhancing capabilities and transfer technologies in preparation for future crises similar to Covid-19.

Son further stressed the importance of maintaining peace, safety and security at sea and in the air, of upholding international law, and of international cooperation to tackle security risks like maritime security, climate change, pollution and other risks posed by Covid-19.

The meeting is the first AMMR to be conducted in person during Cambodia’s year as the ASEAN chair.

Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, ASEAN citizens enjoyed visa free entry to all member nations.

14 countries have accepted Vietnam’s vaccine passport, with Cambodia and the Philippines the only ASEAN members.

Vietnam accepts vaccine passports of 79 countries and territories, including ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor Leste.

Another ASEAN member is Myanmar.