Vietnam Visa – Requirements, Application, Types and Cost

Obtaining a Vietnam visa has become less cumbersome recently because the country has diversified the application process.

The resultant factor is that foreigners wishing to travel to Vietnam can now quickly obtain a visa in simplified ways they deem fit. 

Except your country does not need to apply for a Vietnam visa, you must obtain one before you journey into Vietnam.

Perhaps, you look forward to visiting Vietnam either now or in the future, be sure to use the guidelines made available in this article as a compass to a smooth application and travel.

So, while at it, let’s throw more light on this destination and why people love visiting there.

About Vietnam

Vietnam is an Asian country housing about 96 million people. 

It has close borders with China, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. 

How it successfully accommodated 96 million people Made it the 15 most populous country in the world.

Although it caters to such a large population, Vietnam still has a strong economy, and it’s still growing.

Furthermore, they fought many battles to be where they are today and have conquered even the poverty rate that once plagued them. 

The economy has peaked significantly since it became one of the largest oil-producing countries in Asia. 

Also, Vietnam is one of the highest exporters of agricultural products, especially cashew nuts. 

It is among the largest countries in the world that produce cashew nuts for other countries’ consumption.

Another money-yielding revenue for the Vietnamese government is tourism. 

Tourists from all over the world, even in Asia, visit Vietnam for recreational purposes only. 

In 2015, tourism added an extra 7.5% to the economic growth of Vietnam country. 

Moreover, many tourist sites in Vietnam are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To further explain the beauty of this country, traditional Vietnamese food spurred out of five essential taste elements which are sour, spicy, bitter, salty, and sweet. 

It is in line with the atmospheric elements of earth, water, air, fire, wood, and metal.

The common ingredients in traditional Vietnamese cooking include fresh shrimp paste, fish sauce, fruits, and veggies. 

Out of all the beautiful cooking styles known to the Vietnam people, the use of proteins such as meat was not rampant in the olden days of Vietnam.

You will enjoy the country as a foreigner because its people are warm and welcoming.

Who should get a Vietnam visa?

The Vietnam visa is for anyone who wants to travel to Vietnam for any purpose, except if you are from a visa-exempt country.

It does not matter if your purpose of traveling is for education, business, or exploring the country.

You must apply for a visa in line with the reason for your travel.

So, as a foreigner from a non-visa-exempt country, you must seek all the correct requirements specific to your travel and apply accordingly and on time.

As we said, there are different ways to apply for a Vietnamese visa and present requirements in line with the Vietnamese immigration rules and regulations.

Adhering to all these will make your application a smooth process, and soon you’ll be on your way to enjoying the beautiful country of Vietnam. 

Countries that can travel to Vietnam without a visa

There are a handful of countries where citizens can travel to Vietnam without bothering for a visa. 

Nevertheless, nationals of these countries can only stay in Vietnam for a short time.

These countries are:

• Denmark
• France
• Italy
• Russia
• Philippines
• Thailand 
• Japan 
• Chile
• Germany
• Cambodia
• Norway
• United Kingdom
• Myanmar
• Laos
• Brunei
• Singapore 
• Indonesia
• Spain

All the countries we listed above can travel and stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days and a minimum of 15 days, according to the Vietnamese immigration rules.

Ways to apply for a Vietnamese visa

There are three easy ways to apply for visas to this country.

Firstly, by applying through the embassy or consulate. 

Secondly, apply through the online portal for the e-visa.

Thirdly, by using the visa-on-arrival method. 

For clarification, most of these routes may not apply to everyone, so check with your country and know the best way to apply safely for your preferred Visa.

Vietnamese visa requirements

These are the requirements and what you must present to the embassy during your visa application process.

A Vietnamese visa application form correctly filled out and signed

Valid passport showing at least six months validity from the time of your travel

Evidence of your visa application form fee 

A recent 4 cm X 6 cm sized passport photograph in a white background without putting on eyeglasses. 

Other supporting documents may follow if the embassy deems it fit.

How to apply at the Vietnam embassy

Travelers that need to apply through the embassy or consulate must first

• locate the Vietnam Embassy in your country closest to you and make an appointment 
• Pay your visa application fee
• ask for any extra documents and fill them up correctly
• set a date for your interview with the embassy
• arrive early for your visa interview with all the necessary documents

 If your application is approved, you will hear from the embassy soon. If not, the embassy will still contact you to let him know their verdict.

How to apply for a Vietnam e-visa

The Vietnamese e-visa is just for selected country citizens. You do not need to appear at the embassy or consulate before getting your Visa. 

All you need is a device that is internet enabled, a steady internet, and a machine that can help you to scan your picture.

When you have all these in place, you can apply for this e-visa.

• Log into the verified online application portal.
• Fill in all the necessary information correctly, including your details
• Scan your passport photograph and attach it appropriately
• Go ahead and pay the mandatory e-visa application fee of $25
• Please save what you’ve done and go ahead and print it out

Please note that you must use the approved entry point if you are a holder of the e-visa.  

Aside from that, you may not be allowed into the country.

Visa on arrival for Vietnam

Eligible travelers that can enter the country with their Visa on arrival must enter through some designated airports.

After submitting the required documents to the immigration officer on duty, you obtain your Visa at the entry port.

Vietnam visa processing duration and time frame

Generally, a lot of work goes into processing and approving all travel visas, so before you make your move start applying on time in case you need to present extra documents.

Additionally, most travel visas may take 48 hours to be approved. Meanwhile, the in-person application may differ depending on the embassy and how fast they work.

The process for a visa on arrival may take up to four to five working days for you to get the approval letter.

Furthermore, single-entry visas stay duration can last up to three months if you’re lucky.

Multiple entry visas can have a stay duration of one year or one month at least.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Vietnam visa?

Vietnam visa fees differ depending on the number of entries involved. For example, a multiple-entry visa costs about $21, and a single-entry visa may cost $18. However, the agents you used may have an amount they charge for visa processing.

Can the embassy refuse me a visa to Vietnam?

Yes, the embassy can refuse you a visa if your documents and requirements are not adding up.  

The same can happen for your Visa on arrival. The immigration officer at the port of entry may stop you from entering the country and turn you back if they think you are not being truthful enough or there’s a shady business going on with you.

So, be as plain and honest as you can be while processing your visa application and during your interview session.

However, you can reapply if you got rejected before. All you need is to right what went wrong the first time and come back with all the documents required from you. You can still get your Visa even after a first rejection or denial.

What is the duration of a tourist visa in Vietnam?

Your tourist visa is a short-stay visa. As such, it lasts not longer than 30 days.

However, some circumstances demand that you extend your Visa a bit longer. But this does not apply to all short-stay visas in the country. 

How can I get a 5-year visa to Vietnam?

A 5-year visa means you must be applying for a resident permit and have stayed in the country for some time.

All things being equal, you can successfully apply and get a residential permit to Vietnam for five years if you have stayed in the country without breaking any law and provided the right documents.

Conclusion

Vietnam is a beautiful country with an interesting culture. Yet, applying for their Visa does not break your back.

So, if you wish to visit this country, you now know the ways and the routes you can use. 

But first, know what works and is obtainable in your country of origin concerning Vietnamese visas.