The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam announced on Wednesday that the South East Asian country plans to partially reopen for tourists by the December of 2021 and fully reopen by the June of 2022.

According to the government, the country will be opening its key tourist destinations for the vaccinated visitors for the countries with low COVID-19 risk.

Vietnam managed to stay clear throughout most of the pandemic due to its effective border control, and tracking-tracing mechanisms. The borders have remained effectively since the start of the pandemic. 

However, Vietnam has announced it would reopen the resort island Phu Quoc for vaccinated travelers from November. Although, the country has not made it clear which countries will be regarded as "safe."

The government also announced it will allow tourists visit from approved countries to visit the UNESCO world heritage site Halong Bay and Hoi An, the highlands town of Dalat, and beach destination Nha Trang.

"We are only open when it's truly safe," the government said in a statement.

"We are moving step by step, cautiously but flexibly to adapt to real situations of the pandemic."

The country is also ramping up its vaccination efforts with only 13% of its population being inoculated.