What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The mid-autumn festival lands on September 10th 2022, and is celebrated throughout Asia. Globe Aware volunteers in Vietnam during this month will be lucky enough to experience this special harvest celebration, also known as the “children’s festival.”


What is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and how is it celebrated around Asia?

29 Jul 2022
PYUSHA CHATTERJEE
Lifestyle Asia

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival is celebrated across East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, especially those with Chinese communities, but what does it really entail?

Falling on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month (as per the Chinese lunar calendar), it is observed for a few days (mostly three) around the main day, wherein the city streets are decorated with bright and colourful lanterns and dazzling lights. During this period, people typically celebrate by savouring delectable mooncakes — which, as their name suggest, represent the full moon. The snack also symbolises happiness and family reunions.

This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 10 September. Mooncakes aside, not everyone might know what the event is all about. 

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Thailand To Start Treating Covid Like The Flu From October

From October, Thailand will downgrade Covid to the same category as the flu virus. Thailand is re-asserting itself as a friendly destination for tourists and our Globe Aware volunteers.


Thailand To Start Treating Covid Like The Flu From October

By VINICIUS COSTA
Travel Off Path
August 13 2022

In a new development even the most optimistic didn’t see coming, Thailand will outpace the vast majority of Asia, and even the Western Hemisphere, in treating Covid as an endemic disease. From October, the once ultra-strict country will downgrade the pathogen to the same category as the flu virus, effectively treating both the same.

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Thailand ends COVID registration for visitors, outdoor mask rule

Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors and it’s current outdoor mask mandate would be dropped as of July 1 except in crowded venues. Globe Aware volunteers should still pack masks for their volunteer vacation in case of changes in regulations.


Thailand drops registration for visitors, outdoor mask rule

Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors that was seen as onerous and a drag on the recovery for a tourism industry battered by the coronavirus pandemic

By The Associated Press
June 17, 2022

BANGKOK — Thailand is lifting a pre-arrival registration requirement for foreign visitors that was seen as onerous and a drag on the recovery for its ailing tourism industry.

The government’s COVID-19 center also said Friday that an outdoor mask mandate would be dropped as of July 1 except in crowded venues. The mask mandate was not controversial in Thailand and generally obeyed.

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Thailand To Launch New Vaccine Passport For Entry

Thailand has removed all testing requirements for vaccinated tourists, which includes Globe Aware volunteers. Entry procedures have been simplified and the country is planning to launch a new vaccine passport soon.


Thailand Plans To Launch New Vaccine Passport For Entry

Here we go again. After Thailand removed all testing requirements for vaccinated tourists, many believed it was finally prepared to abandon its infamously strict Covid policies. Although entry procedures have been simplified, those who had been expecting a full reopening to follow will be surprised to learn the country is, in fact, planning to launch a new vaccine passport soon.

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Globe Aware Makes Volunteering Easy, Safe and Fun

By Hyeyeun Jeon
The University Network

For students in high school and college, volunteering is beneficial in many ways.

Through volunteering, not only can you make meaningful impacts and learn to live as a part of a wider community, but also network with people from various career paths and improve your school applications.

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Thailand ends pre-arrival COVID test rule for foreign visitors

Travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers, vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need a test before traveling to Thailand starting April 1, health officials said Friday. Thailand is keen to restore its lucrative tourism sector, which took a nosedive when most arrivals from overseas dried up since April 2020.


Thailand drops pre-arrival COVID test for foreign visitors

Visitors vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need a test before traveling to Thailand starting April 1

March 18, 2022
The Associated Press

BANGKOK — Visitors vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need a test before traveling to Thailand starting April 1, health officials said Friday.

Visitors will still need to take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and a self-administered rapid antigen test on the fifth day in the country, said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesperson for the government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

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Vietnam reopening for foreign travellers on March 15

On March 15th, Vietnam will reopen for those international travelers who test negative for COVID 19 before their departure to the country. There are a few additional requirements Globe Aware volunteers should be aware of, email us at office@globeaware.com to learn more.


Vietnam to reopen for foreign travellers from March 15

TIMESOFINDIA.COM
TRAVEL NEWS, VIETNAM
Feb 19, 2022, 12:08 IST

Vietnam is planning to reopen for foreign visitors as early as March 15. The country’s tourism ministry has proposed this, and also decided to lift almost all of the travel restrictions

Vietnam is planning to reopen for foreign visitors as early as March 15. The country’s tourism ministry has proposed this, and also decided to lift almost all of the travel restrictions from mid March. This is not what was decided upon previously, and it is now reopening three months before expectation.

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Growing Demand for International travel to South East Asia soars

International demand for travel to Asia Pacific is rapidly increasing due to a relaxation of border restrictions across the region. Globe Aware offers volunteer programs in Thailand, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Cambodia and the Philippines for interested volunteers.


International demand for travel to South East Asia soars

By Linda Fox
14 February 2022


International demand for travel to Asia Pacific is rapidly increasing according to data from Skyscanner Travel Insight.

The company said the momentum followed the relaxation of border restrictions across the region.

Skyscanner said international bookings in January to destinations including Thailand and Singapore showed signs of pent-up demand.

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India relaxes entry norms for travelers, no testing or quarantine from next week

India has done away with Covid-19 testing and quarantine for fully vaccinated passengers from 82 countries, which include the US. Globe Aware volunteers can now consider booking a spring break in the beautiful city of Jaipur!


India relaxes entry norms for travelers from 82 countries, no testing or quarantine from next week

TNN
Feb 10, 2022

MUMBAI: India has done away with Covid-19 testing and quarantine for fully vaccinated passengers from 82 countries, which include the US and the UK. Under the new guidelines issued by the union ministry of health and family welfare on Thursday, India has also done away with its classification of `at risk’ countries as well. The new norms will come into effect from 00.01 hours on February 14.

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Thailand tourism industry hopeful with the return of Test & Go

With the reintroduction of the Test & Go program, fully vaccinated Globe Aware volunteers would be allowed to enter Thailand with a Day 1 and Day 5 PCR test. We are hopeful for a return to our programs in Surin and Chiang Mai from February and beyond.


Thailand tourism industry hopeful with the return of Test & Go

Neill Fronde
January 23, 2022
The Thaiger

With the reintroduction of the Test & Go program, that allows fully vaccinated people to enter Thailand with a Day1 and Day 5 PCR test, businesses in the tourism industry are hopeful for a more sustained growth in international travellers from February and beyond.

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