Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City © Bitecxo
Half a Century of Diplomatic Ties between Switzerland and Vietnam
2021, Switzerland and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations! On 11th October 1971, Switzerland became one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam. Today, CH-VN relations are strong, successful and mutually beneficial.
Read Ambassador Ivo Sieber’s article on the anniversary.
Due to the dynamic Covid-19 situation in Vietnam and the necessary protective measures, the Consulate General currently only receives clients with urgent matters at the counter and only by appointment. For all service requests and appointments, please contact the Consulate General by phone or email. In case of an emergency outside opening hours, you can contact the FDFA Helpline around the clock.
Due to the pandemic safety precautions of the Bitexco Financial Tower, visitors have to prove their vaccination status with the official "PC-Covid" app (available in the Apple Store and on Google Play). Visitors to the Consulate General who are not vaccinated at least once 14 days or more ago, are admitted if they present a negative PCR or rapid test result not older than three days.
Please note that you will need two identification documents when visiting the Consulate General. One document (identity card, driver's license or other identification with photo and identity details of the owner) must be deposited in the lobby of the Bitexco Financial Tower to gain access to the office tower. The other document (passport) is to be presented at the Consulate General.
General Information
All Swiss citizens in Vietnam are called up to follow the instructions and recommendations of the Vietnamese authorities.
All persons in Vietnam are encouraged to submit an online health declaration and update it as needed: tokhaiyte.vn (tab "For foreign guests") or via the app "PC-Covid" (available in the Apple Store and on Google Play). Print out this confirmation at the end or save it on your mobile phone.
For general information related to the Coronavirus kindly consult the information and directives of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, local authorities (in Vietnamese only), their recommendations (in Vietnamese only), the online newspaper of the Vietnamese Government and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation WHO.
In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health FHPO informs the public regarding COVID-19.
The Government of Liechtenstein informs regarding the COVID-19 situation in Liechtenstein.
The Travel Advice FDFA (in German, French and Italian) offers travellers basic information for travel preparation by informing on possible risks and certain precautions. They are to be considered as a complementary source of information.
Vaccination in Vietnam
The Vietnamese authorities defined the vaccination priorities for different groups with Decree 3355/DQ-BYT from 08.07.2021. According to the received information, everybody who wishes to be inoculated can register online.
Authorities in Vietnam have confirmed repeatedly that there will be no discrimination between Vietnamese nationals and foreigners during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In order to push back the pandemic, the highest possible proportion of the total population, regardless of nationality, should receive the opportunity to be vaccinated.
The official PC- Covid app (available in the Apple Store and on Google Play) serves to deliver the passes after an inoculation and can be used for registertration of foreign- and local covid certificates, for health declarations as well as check-ins at venue places.
Please note that the Consulate General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City is conveying this information without liability and is not involved in the registration, attributing appointments, online tools or any other aspect of the Vietnamese vaccination strategy. Only the competent Vietnamese authorities are able to help with difficulties or to answer questions.
- Coronavirus Infoline: +41 58 463 00 00 (daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Swiss time)
- Infoline for persons entering Switzerland: +41 58 464 44 88 (daily 6 am to 11 pm Swiss time)
- Infoline Covid-19 vaccination: +41 800 88 66 44 (daily 6 am to 11 pm Swiss time)
- FAQs
Vaccination and Covid Certificate in Switzerland
Vaccination for the Swiss community abroad
Swiss nationals abroad - with and without compulsory health insurance (basic insurance) in Switzerland - and their close family members living in the same household without Swiss citizenship (life partners, children, parents, parents-in-law) can be vaccinated in accordance with vaccination recommendations when staying in Switzerland. The implementation of the vaccination is regulated by the cantons. Information on whether and how interested persons can register for vaccination can be obtained from the cantonal offices.
There are no plans to supply the Swiss community abroad with vaccines from Switzerland.
Further information on COVID-19 vaccination can be found on the webpages of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH: Coronavirus: Vaccination & Protect yourself and others: Vaccination and on the website of the Organization of the Swiss Abroad.
For individual inquiries, interested persons may contact the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH directly:
Further information on COVID-19 vaccination can be found on the webpages of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH: Coronavirus: Vaccination & Protect yourself and others: Vaccination and on the website of the Organization of the Swiss Abroad.
Swiss Covid certificate for persons vaccinated abroad
Holders of an "EU Digital COVID Certificate" or a certificate compatible with the "EU Digital COVID Certificate" do not need to apply for a Swiss Covid certificate. These certificates are recognized in Switzerland. Those who do not have a corresponding certificate can apply for a Swiss Covid certificate if he/she has been fully vaccinated abroad with an approved vaccine. Detailed information and the direct possibility to apply can be found on the Swiss national Covid certificate application platform.
- Information on visas to Switzerland in Vietnam you can find on our visa page.
- Everyone entering Switzerland must present a negative test result before the arrival and present a completed entry form (rare exceptions may apply, please refer to art. 3 of the COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport). It is important to fill out the electronic entry form on a computer or smartphone at the earliest 48 hours before the travel in order to receive a QR code by email. This code needs to be kept at hand for inspection upon arrival in Switzerland. The controlling authority can impose a fine if the entry form is not completed or if the information provided is false.
Detailed information on entry requirements for Swiss and foreign travellers can be found on the corresponding website of the Federal Office of Public Health. - On the official website of CDC Vietnam you can find a list of all testing options.
- To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.
Entry Regulations Switzerland
Entry Regulations Vietnam
Vietnam has suspended entry for foreigners until further notice.
Airlines are requested not to transport any passengers without a special permission of the Vietnamese authorities into Vietnam for the time being.
Persons authorized to enter Vietnam with a special permission will be subject to a strict health check and in most cases a compulsory 14 day quarantine. A shortened quarantine period of 7 days is usually granted for those who are fully vaccinated. The cost for food and lodging will have to be borne by the person concerned. As of January 1 the quarantine period will be reduced to 7 days for non- or partially vaccinated and 3 days for fully vaccinated people.
Investors, experts, skilled workers and managers are allowed to enter Vietnam under certain conditions. These conditions and regulations vary from province to province. Therefore, the employer/sponsor has to contact the People's Committee of the relevant province or city for detailed instructions about the necessary procedures.
Swiss Non-Resident Travellers in Vietnam
In view of the extraordinary circumstances, we highly recommend non-resident Swiss citizens in Vietnam to register on Travel Admin and keep the information updated at all times. This will allow the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to contact them when needed.
From May 2020, the Vietnamese Immigration Authority granted under certain conditions an automatic extension of stay for foreigners who have entered Vietnam and were not able to leave the country. As from 15 January 2022, these automatic extensions are no longer granted and foreigners without a valid visa or residence permit have to clear their immigration status with the competent authority or leave Vietnam before this date.
Return to Switzerland or Liechtenstein
Swiss and Liechtenstein nationals and foreigners with a valid residence permit for Switzerland, who have registered on Travel Admin, will be informed by the Swiss Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City by email, if special travel possibilities to Switzerland become known at short notice.
At the moment, the following airlines are still offering possible flight connections out of Vietnam to Europe. This information is not exhaustive and may change at any time. Accordingly the Swiss Consulate General cannot assume any liability in relation to this information and advises travellers always to check with the respective airlines or travel agencies:
Swiss International Air Lines / Lufthansa is offering flight connections via Hong Kong to Europe in cooperation with Cathay Pacific. The Group's office in Vietnam can be contacted at lufthansa.vn@dlh.de
Important information on the entry requirements of Switzerland for all travelers of Swiss or foreign nationality can be found in the rubric "COVID-19 Pandemic - Entry Regulations Switzerland".
What does the FDFA advise?
Many Swiss nationals travelling abroad ask the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA for recommendations and advice on their return journey: questions and answers.
Information on the Covid vaccination for Swiss citizens living abroad can be found on the website of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad OSA at www.swisscommunity.org.
