Could you provide tips on how to best experience the Tet celebrations in Vietnam?
Vietnam is quickly becoming a popular stopover destination for travelers making their way across Southeast Asia. But before you book that extended layover in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it's important to understand the visa requirements. This article will break down who needs a visa to transit in Vietnam and highlight some exciting experiences you can enjoy during your time in these vibrant cities.
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1. Who needs a visa to transit in Vietnam?
Apart from the countries on the visa exemption list, a Vietnam visa is required for all ordinary passport holders visiting the mainland of Vietnam. If you transit in Vietnam, you might belong to one of those cases:
1.1. If you are just stopping over in Vietnam for a few hours and plan to stay solely inside the transit area to wait for the next flight, you do not need a Vietnam transit visa. Both Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) provide comfortable amenities for transit passengers, including sleeping facilities and a variety of food and beverage options.
1.2. If your layover in Vietnam is more than 6 hours and you plan to leave the airport, a Vietnam transit visa is necessary. The most convenient option is a single-entry visa on arrival or e-visa, which is valid for one month and allows a single entry and exit. Applying online is recommended and typically takes 2 hours to 3 business days for processing. Ensure all information matches your passport to avoid delays and extra costs.
It is suggested that you apply for the visa at least one week prior to departure. Applying in advance is significantly cheaper than using the urgent service. For instance, a standard tourist visa costs $25-50 per person, while the 2-hour urgent option costs $250. If you apply for the visa on arrival letter, once your visa is approved, print the approval letter and present it at the landing visa counter in Vietnam to receive your visa stamp. The minimum visa validity is 30 days, during which you can enter and exit Vietnam once or multiple times, depending on your chosen visa type.
2. Worthy experiences when transiting in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
You can rest in the airport's lounge a while before your next flight. The Lotus Lounge offers many fresh food and drinks 24/7. Apart from those who have airline membership, it's accessible to all travelers for a nominal fee of approximately 30 USD. However, for layovers between 8 and 35 hours in Vietnam, consider venturing beyond the airport. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with a city tour easily arranged through the airport tour desk or local operators.
2.1. Hanoi
If you transit in Hanoi, there are numerous things to experience.
- Joining a Hanoi City tour: The distance from Hanoi airport to the city centre is 30km with 50 minute driving. A half-day city tour can cover some of the highlights around the President Ho Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Hanoi Old Quarter. The sites are not too far from each other, so it's convenient to visit.
- Visiting Viet Phu Thanh Chuong: Just 20 minutes driving from Noi Bai airport, this miniature northern village covers 8000m2. The complex showcases various traditional Vietnamese architectural styles, with meticulously restored and recreated constructions like communal houses, temples, and pagodas. You'll find intricate wood carvings and serene courtyards that transport you back in time. The short trip to the ancient complex would be more informative with a tour guide.
- Savouring authentic Hanoi food: The must-try delicacies in Hanoi are Pho, bun cha, and banh cuon, which you might see in the airport’s food court; however, the best places to taste them are in the Hanoi Old Quarter. For first-time travellers to Vietnam, some recommended restaurants are Banh Cuon Ba Xuan (16 Hoe Nhai Street), Bun Cha Dac Kim (1 Hang Manh Street), Pho Bat Dan (49 Bat Dan Street), Cha Ca Duong Thanh (6B Duong Thanh Street).
- Shopping: You're absolutely right! Hanoi offers a fantastic variety of shopping experiences, catering to all tastes and budgets. The shopping choice ranges from shopping centres (Trang Tien plaza, Vincom Ba Trieu, Lotte Mart) to shopping street (Pho Hue Street, Hoi Vu Street, Hang Gai Street, Ba Trieu Street) and not to be missed is the famous Dong Xuan market in the Old Quarter.
- Massage: In the Noi Bai airport, you will find some spas or automatic massage chairs. However, the choices are more varied downtown. You can easily find some good spa treatments in Midori Spa or La Spa Trendy.
- Playing golf: Van Tri Golf, Legend Hill BRG, and Hanoi Golf Club Soc Son all have quite new facilities that may pique your interest. They are within a 20 to 30-minute drive away.
2.2. Ho Chi Minh City
Transiting in Ho Chi Minh City, you definitely have a myriad of activities to choose from:
- Ho Chi Minh Downtown sightseeing: You can choose to visit a historical building in the city centre such as Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Museum, or Saigon Post Office. It is just a 30-minute drive from the airport. They are all open during the day except during lunch break.
- Visiting Cu Chi Tunnels: It will take you half a day to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is just a 1.5-hour drive from Tan Son Nhat Airport. The Cu Chi Tunnels offer you an amazing visit to the extended underground life of Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. You can visit the battle field and try out a shooting range. It is open 7 am – 5 pm daily.
- Tasting authentic Vietnamese food: There is a wide choice of food at the airport, but if you want to find something delicious and authentic, take a taxi downtown where you can savor a banh mi or any varied and amazing street food. Near the airport are a few safe choices, such as Pho Phu Vuong restaurant (339 Le Van Sy Street), Com Tam Ba Ghien (84 Dang Van Ngu Street), etc
- Shopping: Killing waiting time by shopping is a good choice because Saigon has many shopping centres like Takashimaya, Saigon Square, Bitexco and Ben Thanh market. You will definitely find a bargain in the markets, while in the modern shopping malls, you can shop for many luxury international brands.
- Massage: After a long travel, you may need a truly relaxing or rejuvenating treatment. Located on the 3rd floor of Saigon's Airport is a foot spa, and on the 2nd floor is a relaxing lounge. The Vietnamese traditional spa is situated in the domestic terminal.
- Playing golf: Tan Son Nhat Golf Course is one of the top golf courses in South Vietnam. If you are a golf lover, it is a great place to take some swings.
We hope this guide has answered some of your questions about Vietnam transit visas. If your travel plans include stepping onto the mainland, a transit visa, obtainable from your country's Vietnamese embassy or online, is necessary. However, if you're remaining within the airport's international transit area, you can bypass this requirement. Please comment below any questions related to Vietnam visa and travel, we are happy to answer any queries.
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