Việt Nam will temporarily suspend visa issuance for citizens of Russia, Belarus and Japan from Saturday. VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

The move aims to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Việt Nam.

Following the message from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, citizens who hold diplomatic or official passports are eligible to enter Việt Nam without visas in line with the current agreements on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports signed between Việt Nam and the above countries.

Entrants from Belarus, Russia and Japan shall be subject to medical preventive measures in accordance with the applicable regulations of Việt Nam.

The ministry said Việt Nam had informed the three countries about the decision and will make proper adjustments in accordance with the developments of the pandemic.

Previously, on March 17, the Vietnamese Government decided to temporarily halt visa issuance to foreigners for 30 days, applicable from March 18.

Under the decision, foreigners enjoying visa-waiver programme or overseas Vietnamese and their spouses and children granted with certificates of visa exemption shall only be allowed to enter Việt Nam if they can submit papers certifying they do not have the virus.

The Ministry of Health announced nine new COVID-19 cases in Việt Nam late Thursday evening, bringing the total number of infections to 85.