Vietnam tourist visa for foreigners

Vietnam visa has 2 main types, that is Vietnam tourist visa and Vietnam business visa. This article, vietnamvs.com would like to introduce to you Vietnam tourist visa.

Under visa exemption program, there are 16 countries where are permitted to enter Vietnam without a visa for a stay not exceeding 30 days.

If you are required a tourist visa for Vietnam, do not worry. The process of getting a visa is simpler than you think.

Validity of Vietnam tourist visa

Vietnam visa validity refers to the length of time you are permitted to stay in Vietnam. It is time period from expected date of arrival on the application form to visa expiration date as shown on the visa. The maximum validity of Vietnamese tourist visa is 3 months.

Note: the tourist visa can be obtained by businessmen for short business trip. There is not any problem at all when you do that because the customs officer never concerns about your real purpose of the trip.

Types of Vietnam tourist visa

Vietnam tourist visa can be issued on single and multiple entries. If you travel frequently with a multiple entry visa, you don’t have to apply for a new visa each time you travel to Vietnam. If you obtain single entry visa, your visa will automatically get expired right after you exit Vietnam.

Vietnam tourist visa procedures

Applying for tourist visa to Vietnam can be done in person or on-line depending on mode of transport you use to enter Vietnam.

Enter by bus or cruise

All visitors enter Vietnam by bus or cruise are required to obtain Vietnam travel visa at embassy/consulate before reaching the border. The requirements (which may vary slightly from embassy to embassy) you have to submit are as follows:

•      Original passport with minimum validity of 6 months

•       Visa application form (available at embassy office)

•      01 recent passport-sized photo

•     Vietnam visa fee

Some embassies encourage the applicants to send their visa application by post or email to avoid long queue. If you are unable to visit the embassy, contact the consular office in advance to check whether postal application is acceptable.

Processing time:  3-5 business days since the date of receipt of application. Expedited visa processing is available upon request.

The list of Vietnam embassies including contact information can be found on this page.

Enter by plane

The visitors arriving in Vietnam by air are able to get Vietnamese tourist visa either at embassy or on arrival. In this case, the Vietnam visa on arrival facility is usually recommended as it’s hassle-free, less time-consuming and cheap.

How Vietnam visa on arrival works?

1.       You fill out visa application form online.

2.       You pay visa processing fee using your credit or debit card (see Vietnam visa cost)

3.       We send you the approval letter via email after 2 business days or on the same day depending on you use normal service or urgent service (visa approval letter is travel document which gives you permission to check-in flight and get visa stamped on passport at airport)

4.       You hand over original passport, visa approval letter, completed entry-exit form, 01 passport photo and stamping fee to customs officer for getting visa stamp at arrival airport                                    

Important notes:

•      Apply for your tourist visa at least 01 week before intended date of travel to avoid unexpected problems

•      Check your passport validity before applying for the travel visa

•      Double check for accuracy of your visa application form before submitting

•      Check for error on your visa or visa approval letter as soon as it is issued

Contact us via email: vietnamvs.com@gmail.com or call us to hotline: +84 9 44 555 222 if you have questions about Vietnam tourist visa