All you need to know about Vietnam Tourist Visa

It’s fortunate if you are on the top list of passport for visa free travel as many of you can enter Vietnam for a specific period of time without worrying about the visa procedure and fee, especially that now Vietnam visa exemptions are valid for up to 24 nationalities. For those who come from other countries, Vietnam visa is the first condition that you need to consider when planning for an overseas journey, whether you are interested in travelling Vietnam for purpose of tourism or business. This article elaborates the Vietnam tourist visa in varied aspects including visa exemptions, visas on arrival, electronic visas, visa procedures and transit visas. The visa policy changes year by year so we will continuously update in the articles and news section

I. Vietnam Tourist visa

Vietnam tourist visas allow you to visit the country with the purpose of tourism for up to 3 months (single entry or multiple entry). It can be renewed one time since your arrival in Vietnam. Whether you are given free entry visa or not, firstly you need to check your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Vietnam and have at least two blank pages so that visa and stamp can be pasted in

Vietnam tourist visas include 4 types available for almost all nationalities: 1 month single entry visa, 1 month multiple entry visa, 3 month single entry visa, 3 month multiple entry visa. Based on the duration of your stay and the number of entries back into Vietnam you can determine exactly what type of visa is appropriate for you. The visa fee can change unexpectedly so a rough idea of your arrival date and departure date will help to save a lot. The visa requirement varies among nationalities. In a few cases, you may need to present your flight tickets, hotel reservations, host’s contact, tour itinerary, etc ... Before continuing to read, you might want to check visa requirements for your nationality. 
Click here to check.

II. What nationality take free-visa to Vietnam?

Based on the unilateral and bilateral agreements on the Vietnam visa exemption policy between Vietnam and respective countries, there are 24 nationalities eligible for single entry visa exemption regardless of type of passport – ordinary, diplomatic, official passport.

- Brunei citizens staying in Vietnam within 14 days do not need to obtain visa

- These 13 nationalities are allowed to stay in Vietnam without visa up to 45 days: Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Belarus, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

- Citizens from Philippines are exempted Vietnam visa 21 days if showing return tickets

- Most ASEAN countries do not need visa if staying 30 days or less: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan

- Myanmar is now granted 14-day free visa (updated since March 2023)

- The country with the longest duration of visa exemption is Chile, whose visa exemption lengthens to 90 days.

With the visa exemption favour, you are only allowed to enter/exit one time. Multiple entry requires a multiple entry visa within 3 months. The next entry must be conducted at least 30 days after the previous exit. To ease these barriers of the visa exemption policy, you can apply for an appropriate visa prior to your arrival via the Vietnam embassy or consulate in your country. A better way is arranging a visa approval letter with an authorized local travel agency.

III. How to get Vietnam visa?

If you are not listed on the visa exemption list you must obtain a Vietnam visa to enter Vietnam. There are three ways to do that: Get Vietnam visa at the embassy in your country or get a visa on arrival. Choose the way which is most suitable for you.

1. Get Vietnam visa at embassy

Vietnam embassies and consulates are in more than 90 locations worldwide. Prior to arrival, visit a Vietnam embassy at your location to get a visa stamp to help you to enter Vietnam easily. Click here to see if there is a Vietnam embassy near you. Visas issued this way allow you to enter Vietnam through air, land crossing or sea port. However, if you find administrative formalities take too much time you have another two options below.

2. Apply visa on arrival

People whose countries that have no Vietnam embassy or consulate, don’t worry as you can get your visa on arrival. 

2.1. What is Vietnam visa on arrival?

Vietnam Visa on arrival means that on arrival you will queue to pick up a visa stamp for your passport at any of the Vietnam international airports. Vietnam Visa on arrival is the fastest and easiest way to get your Vietnam entry visa for normal passport holders with a purpose of tourism or business. Besides, visa on arrival is often used by individuals who intend to stay longer than the granted free-visa duration.

2.2. How to get Vietnam visa on arrival?

It has never been easier to obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival from your home. You can obtaining Vietnam visa via a legitimate Vietnam travel agency.

Numerous accredited agencies provide VOA service online, however it is advised that you work with those having authorized operator license. The Vietnam visa procedure is so easy that it just takes you 5 - 10 minutes to do and takes 2 working days as long as you have the passport information of all group members and a valid credit card in hand. The shortest time to receive a visa approval letter is 2 hours during working time on a weekday (GMT +7) as long as you request a rush from the travel agency. Any urgent cases on weekends should be contacted via hotline.

The Vietnam visa fee is separated into a visa service fee and a visa stamp fee. The fee you pay online for visa on arrival is visa service fee and does not include the stamping fee which must be paid in cash at the airport (USD25/person for single entry or USD 50/person for multiple entry). Before going to apply you can freely check visa service fee, which vary by nationality and depends on the type of visa you acquire. Click here to check visa service fee for free.

Generally, the process to get a Vietnam visa by this way includes 4 main steps.

- Step 1: Choose number of visas you need. Fill in the application form with the type of visa you need and all your personal information exactly as in your passport

- Step 2: Review information and make payment for services online via trusted payment gate.

- Step 3: Get Visa Approval Letter via email after 2 working days. You will then prepare the necessary documents such as a passport valid for at least 6 months, filled–in visa application form, two passport size photos and cash for visa stamp.

- Step 4: Show above documents and Visa Approval Letter to the immigration officers, you will do the custom clearance and get your visa stamped.

If you register for a group of people simultaneously all names will be mentioned in one letter. Some travel agencies might be flexible to separate your name in a private letter on request.

Once arriving in Vietnam you will reach the visa landing counter near the custom area for visa stamps. By reading the travel guidance in Noi Bai airport and travel guidance in Tan Son Nhat airport, you will easily find the direction from the plane's gate to the city centre. You will submit the documents to the visa officer then pay USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry regardless of length of stay. To finish the process the officer will call your name to hand back your passport which will already have your visa pasted and stamped. Remember to carefully check all the information and report to a custom officer immediately if there are any mistakes.

It’s suggested that you print the application form and fill it in prior to arrival to save time. If you forget about it the form is also at the immigration desk. Photos also can be taken for a few dollars.

Total time spent on waiting for your visa can vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours. In order to get priority especially when you travel with pregnant women or a big group, you can choose the fast track service when applying for your visa online. A few nationalities are required to submit other proofs of travel (itineraries, hotel address, flight details) which you should store on your phone. When using VIP fast track services you are assisted with luggage also. After collecting your luggage just head to the exit gate to take the most comfortable drive to your hotel.

Entry by visa approval letter is valid at some certain entry points (Ha Noi Capital, Da Nang City, Cam Ranh or Ho Chi Minh City). At land borders and sea ports, it's not valid. In this case, you will need to apply for a regular visa through the embassy or consulate in your country prior to arrival or apply for an e-visa.

3. Apply Vietnam E-Visa

Vietnam electronic visa also known as the Vietnam e-visa is an authorized travel document for a consecutive time with single entry, being issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department via electronic system. Either the visa on arrival or E-visa is enough for you to enter Vietnam legally. With the E-visa, you don’t need to queue to stamp at the airport. Moreover, it is valid at many land ports and seaports that allow foreigners enter and exit Vietnam by Vietnamese e-Visa. Till now, E-visa is currently applied to all nationalities and countries.

You can visit the Vietnam e-visa official website on the national web portal for immigration or Ministry of Public Security's Service Portal to apply. The process requires filling in an application form and paying a fee by credit card. Only negative of E-visa is that if your application is rejected you will not receive any refund.

When you submit your information remember to save the registration code to check on your E-visa status afterwards.

You will receive your Vietnam E-visa after 3-4 working days. E-visa is both applied for single entry and multiple entry and valid for maximum 90 days. Remember to save your registration code in order to check and print E-visa. Check your passport again prior to departure. You must have six month validity from the date you arrive and two blank pages so there is room for the visa stamp.

>> Read more: Vietnam E Visa Guide 2023 - Cost, Time, Procedure and Urgent Case

Firgure 1. Vietnam e-visa

IV. Visa renewal and extension

In case you plan to stay longer than the visa exemption duration or your visa has just expired you need to apply for a visa renewal/ visa extension which is available at either the Immigration Department in Hanoi (centre of North area), Ho Chi Minh (centre of South area) or Danang (centre of Middle area).

+ Immigration Department in Hanoi:
       Address: 44 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
       Phone number: 024 3825 7941
       Open time: 08:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 01:30 PM - 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday and Saturday morning

+ Immigration Department in Danang:
       Address: 7 Tran Quy Cap, Danang City
       Phone number: 0236 3822 381
       Open time: 08:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 01:30 PM - 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday and Saturday morning

+ Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh city:
       Address: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai
       Phone number: 028 3829 9398
       Open time: 08:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 01:30 PM - 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday and Saturday morning

Figure 2. Immigration department in Hanoi

V. Exception – It is a good news for you

We would like to announce good news for all nationalities as you will have a hassle-free entrance to Phu Quoc Island. According to Decree 80/2013/QĐ-TTg, since 10/03/2014, all individuals can enter Phu Quoc Island without visa and stay for up to 30 days (increased from 15 days in 2005). To be eligible for the Phu Quoc visa exemption you must have a passport with at least 6 month validity, a round trip ticket from Phu Quoc to another country rather than Vietnam or transit at a Vietnam airport without visiting the mainland. Tourists will need a visa to visit other parts of Vietnam if they do not have any other exemptions.

Figure 3. Phu Quoc Island

VI. Transit

Not to mention those who are granted visa exemptions, transit in Vietnam international airport does not require any visa as long as any passport holders stay inside the limited area to wait for the next flight. However, if you intend to get yourself a hotel or a short city tour, you need to obtain a visa on arrival.
Read more about transit visa on Transit in Vietnam – Visa required or not?

In short, Vietnam visa policy is not as complicated as you thought as long as you follow it step by step. Obtaining a Vietnam visa is as easy as pie whether you apply for the e-visa yourself or have a professional agency do it for you. During your application for a Vietnam visa feel free to ask Izitour any related questions.