Foreign tourists at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi before the social distancing policy was announced. (Photo: VNA)

As the nation ‘stays at home’ to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the department office will close from April 2 until further notice, according to a source from the department.

However, if a visa belonging to any foreigner staying in Vietnam right now expires while their offices are closed, the holder will not be penalised.

Instead, visas can be renewed when the office reopens.

No date for the reopening has been confirmed as it depends on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the source said./.VNA

HCM City suspends granting new work permits to foreigners from pandemic-hit areas

HCM City has announced that it will temporarily suspend the granting of new work permits to foreign workers arriving from COVID-19-affected countries and territories.

Measures praised by foreigners

As countries around the world get to grips with flattening the curve of the coronavirus outbreak, Vietnam sits alongside other Asian nations in receiving plaudits for their handling of the crisis in the last few months.