The surge in denials of entry to Vietnam for international visitors has been notable, with 217 individuals being turned away in the initial two months of this year, amounting to a quarter of the total for 2023. This increase places significant strain on both airports and airlines.
Figures from the Vietnam Aviation Administration reveal a steady rise in denied entries: 506 cases in 2020, 404 in 2022, 886 in 2023, and 217 in just the first two months of 2024. The primary cause remains inadequate documentation, including visa deficiencies or counterfeit passports.
This uptick in denied entries poses financial and logistical challenges for airlines, necessitating the return of passengers to their points of departure and intensifying the burden on airport facilities, potentially compromising security protocols.
To mitigate such occurrences, the Vietnam Aviation Administration mandates stringent scrutiny of passenger documentation by airlines operating international routes to Vietnam. Airlines must stay abreast of both domestic and international regulations governing entry, exit, and transit, while also disseminating pertinent information to passengers.
Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam calls upon authorities and document control agencies in departure countries to enhance oversight of passenger documentation, thus minimizing instances of ineligibility based on entry and transit requirements in Vietnam.
According to the Standing Team of the National Aviation Security Risk Assessment Council, the global trend indicates a rise in fraudulent passport usage and related document issues since 2022, posing ongoing challenges for international air travel.