Everyone was looking forward to crossing the border. Vietnam presented a fresh new variety of experiences and sensations somewhat vastly different to those being left behind in Cambodia, the country we were soon about to leave.
"Everybody! There are new travel restrictions passed today, which will mean we will spend an additional hour at customs to undergo further checks imposed by the Vietnamese authorities..."
The chirpy and optimistic Cambodian bus monitor announced. It was a small inconvenience that was out of our control, so no need for worry.
Another hour passed.
"Everyone, we have received information that if you have a German passport you may have difficulties passing the border..."
The atmosphere grew more tense, especially for the German individuals on board, various questions cropped up during this hour of uncertainty.
"we have been travelling outside Germany for three months now, it will be fine for us right?"
The bus monitor couldn't answer such questions, but the general air of consensus was that surely if you had been travelling outside of any said country with today's imposed ban for more than at least two weeks there would be no need for concern. Unfortunately that was indeed not the case.
There were thirty of us on the bus upon departure, there were now only sixteen of us left after crossing the border.
The remaining nationalities on the bus were Cambodian, Vietnamese, American, English & South African. I for one was incredibly lucky having changed my original plan to spend longer in Cambodia, since a mere several days later, the UK was added to this list, for understandable reasons. Luckily, by this time I was already in Vietnam.
The individuals that did not get through, would eventually, provided that they stay in Cambodia for an additional 14 days, essentially to prove that they were not carrying the virus. If they were, then it probably would have made sense to reject entry for everyone on the bus, but this is the way it is being handled, regardless of the country you are planning to visit.
If you are already in road transit through perhaps Asia, despite these bans it's quite possible (depending on the country), that once you hit the border they will require a 14 day self-quarantine in the country you have just travelled from. So I guess the good news is that you will eventually gain entrance into the country if you are willing to undergo the self-quarantine period; at least that was the feedback given to the tour operator after passing through into Vietnam.
If you have upcoming travels then no doubt you are aware that many countries have suspended visa on arrival, as well as visa waivers for many Asian and European travellers. If you you are in doubt then it's best to contact the airline or travel company you are travelling with, failing that visit the embassy website of the country you are planning to visit and if you are able to contact them, do so.
For those of you travelling to Vietnam and are from the UK, I found this tripadvisor link quite handy to keep track of the people that have passed through the border and how:
Eventually and inevitably these bans will loosen, but any European nation will need to be at the tail end of the curve in terms of peak infection rate before any nation would consider making such changes. I think to say this will change within a month would be incredibly optimistic, but here's to hoping!
If you would like to follow my journey, please feel free to take a look at my videos documenting my travels