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Which Asian Countries Are Fully Open For Travel?
These popular Asian destinations are fully open for travel without vaccine or testing restrictions in 2023.
Although more than 150 countries around the world have dropped all Covid-related entry requirements for travelers, there are still several holdouts in Asia.
The region has been the slowest in the world to reopen for normal tourism. However, in 2023, more and more destinations are open without restrictions.
These are some of the most popular Asian countries without any entry requirements for travelers. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and is meant to highlight popular destinations that have reopened.
For the latest information on travel restrictions for any country, consult the U.S. Department of State website.
1) Thailand
Thailand does not have any vaccine or testing requirements in place, nor does the country have a mask mandate (except on public transportation, but it is not enforced or followed.)
This popular destination in Southeast Asia, known for its amazing beaches, made headlines earlier this month when it proposed bringing back a vaccination requirement for all travelers.
However, this was scrapped just days later due to widespread backlash, and Thailand continues to remain restriction-free.
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2) Cambodia
Cambodia is another Southeast Asian nation that has dropped all Covid-related entry requirements, including vaccines and testing. This beautiful country is best known for its Angkor Wat temple complex.
All travelers, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are welcome without needing to present a negative Covid test.
Additionally, the mask mandate in Cambodia has been lifted.
3) Malaysia
Malaysia, home to gorgeous beaches, stunning rainforests, and a vibrant capital Kuala Lumpur, is another country in Asia that is fully back to normal.
This nation no longer has vaccine or testing requirements in place for travelers, returning to normal tourism and making it easy to visit.
Malaysia also dropped its indoor mask mandate last fall.
4) South Korea
South Korea joins this list after finally dropping its indoor mask mandate nearly three years after it was first created.
For several months, travelers have been welcome in South Korea regardless of vaccination status and without any additional testing requirements. However, with an indoor mask mandate still in place and near-total compliance, many travelers chose to avoid this country in favor of the majority of countries around the world that no longer wear masks.
While it remains to be seen whether voluntary mask-wearing will remain high in South Korea as it has in Japan, it is no longer compulsory for travelers to wear masks in this destination.
5) Vietnam
Vietnam is another country in Asia that has dropped all entry requirements and returned to normal.
Travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter the country, which is known for its diverse landscapes like Ha Long Bay, beautiful beaches, historic cities, and delicious food.
While mask mandates are still technically in effect in some indoor places, it is typically not enforced.
Countries That Still Have Restrictions
While a number of countries in Asia have dropped all restrictions, many other popular destinations still have restrictions in place for travelers.
Some countries that still have Covid-related restrictions include:
- Japan: Negative Covid test required for unvaccinated travelers, no formal mask mandate, but voluntarily mask-wearing is still above 95% throughout the country
- Indonesia: Only open to vaccinated travelers
- Philippines: Negative Covid test required for unvaccinated travelers
- Hong Kong: Negative Covid test required for all travelers, mask mandate still in effect
- Laos: No vaccine or testing requirements, but a mask mandate is still in place and widely followed
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Tom
Monday 6th of March 2023
Regarding enforcement of relevant mask mandates (if any) I found Vietnam to be the strictest, with respect to masks on board flights. While no one on my Vietnam Airlines flights to/from Australia last August said anything and half the plane's passengers went maskless, on the flights to/from Bangkok, a stern stewardess would get all the non-maskers to put one on. I've just been told by a couple of Californians who flew between Vietnam and Laos a couple of weeks back, they were required to wear masks by Vietnam Airlines. Vietnamese banks and hospitals remain strict too. Other than that, no one really cares anymore.
Hans
Thursday 9th of February 2023
I was just in laos ,if theres a mask mandate,i missed it,haha
Tom
Monday 6th of March 2023
@Hans, it's in effect on public transportation (mainly limited to flights and the train, not buses any longer) and medical facilities. Elsewhere, masks are no longer required. Like in many other countries, the occasional old mask sign is still hanging but doesn't mean masks need to be worn anymore, unless a specific business requests it. As of last week, this wasn't the case. I don't think any business in Laos, other than the ones mentioned, are still interested in enforcing mask wearing. In fact, even airlines are no longer consistently enforcing mask wearing in Laos. Lao Airlines and Thai based carriers are not, while Vietnam Airlines (which flies to Vientiane and Luang Prabang) is. What you will find is some businesses enforce masks on their staff, but not customers. I also found more mask wearing among government employees such as border guards, immigration and customs officers than on the Thai side. This is interesting, because in general there is a fair bit more mask wearing in Thailand than Laos. On the train, which I didn't catch as I came by car, mask wearing is near universal, among both staff and riders. However, according to what I've been told, some foreigners aren't wearing masks and that seems to be OK now.
Amon
Wednesday 8th of February 2023
Thailand is the land of masks now. Sad but true. Expats and farangs with access to the truth and still wear a mask are pathetic. Thais don't know any better, it's a 5 year prison sentence and up to 100,000 bahy fine to tell the truth about masks or vaccines in Thailand.
Tom
Monday 6th of March 2023
@Amon, absolute nonsense. Did you just make that up? You can tell the truth about masks and vaccines all you want in Thailand no issue at all. Only issue is, Thais won't listen. The emergency decree has been dropped too so things are back to normal.
NIRANJANA KUMAR P S
Sunday 5th of February 2023
Good News
Gregorio Pagulyan
Saturday 4th of February 2023
Please update us on travel restrictions to HK.we are booked to travel on March 9-16,2023.Thank you.
Tom
Monday 6th of March 2023
@Edison Triguero, HK just lifted the mask mandate on March 1. From images I've seen, mask wearing is now less than in Bangkok, despite Thailand's mask mandate having been scrapped on June 23, 2022! Basically, on day ONE many Hong Kongers removed their masks but after 9 months, more Thais are wearing them than in Hong Kong, where restrictions were just lifted. Something is seriously strange about this. It seems that Thais love wearing their masks so much they'll never remove them.
Edison Triguero
Friday 10th of February 2023
@Gregorio Pagulyan,
HK is open now no more covid restriction, only have to wear mask.