! Starting August 15, 2023, Vietnam has introduced a new electronic visa system (E-Visa) for all nationalities:
- After obtaining an E-Visa, a foreigner can enter and exit an unlimited number of times (instead of a single entry) within 90 days (instead of 30 days), without having to go through the process of obtaining a new visa.
- Citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from the visa regime will be granted a temporary residence permit for 45 days (instead of 15 days) and may consider visa issuance and extension of temporary residence in accordance with the legislation.
Vietnam divides countries into 3 categories:
- Countries eligible for visa (Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Panama, Philippines, RF, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK);
- Countries that can issue E-Visa (all other countries in the world);
- Countries that can issue visa at the embassy (all other countries in the world).
Now there are 3 ways to get into Vietnam no matter what type of visa.
Visa-free entry to Vietnam is possible for a maximum of 45 days.
To enter the country you must:
- Possession of a passport that expires not earlier than 6 months from the final date of travel;
- availability of a return ticket;
- the traveler must not be on the list of persons banned from entering the country;
- purpose of travel - tourism, visiting relatives, business or transit.
At the border in the passport put a stamp with the date of arrival, it will be checked on the way back. When passing the control it is necessary to take with you a return ticket and hotel reservation.
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Electronic Visa (E-Visa). This type of Vietnam visa is applied for and issued online. The Vietnam e-visa is valid for 90 days with multiple entries;
Foreigners outside Vietnam who wish to enter Vietnam can
apply for an e-visa personally or through inviting/guarantee agencies and organizations;
List of airports that allow foreigners to enter and exit Vietnam with an e-visa.
Required documents to obtain an e-visa for Vietnam:
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival and has at least 2 blank pages;
- 1 passport-sized photo (photo requirements);
- Copies of the personal data page of your passport and an electronic photo;
- Credit cards for online payment for e-visa.
How do I get an E-Visa?
Fill in your details for EV through the official
website. Instructions on how to fill in the document can be found
here.
How far in advance do I apply for a Vietnam E-Visa?
Usually, you will receive your e-Vietnam visa within 3 business days, but we recommend applying for your visa at least 10-14 days before your scheduled arrival so that you have enough time if it takes longer.
Note: Vietnam Immigration does not process E-Visa applications on weekends (Saturday, Sunday) and Vietnam public holidays.
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Visa Entry:
There are two options to apply for a visa: on arrival and through the Consulate.
1) Visa processing on arrival:
- A valid passport.
- Invitation to Vietnam or Approval letter (it is mandatory to get it in advance).
- The completed questionnaire can also be filled out at the border, but it is better download and fill it out in advance.
- 1 4x6 photo.
- Hotel Reservations.
- A redeemed ticket for the return flight.
- Money to pay for the visa (payment is accepted in Vietnamese dong or US dollars).
For children, the following documents will be additional:
- Birth Certificate.
- Those traveling with one of the parents (or if one of them is absent - deceased, deprived of rights, etc.) need a notarized travel permit from the other parent.
- Those traveling with third parties must obtain permission from both.
Attention! Vietnam visa on arrival is not issued at land border crossings and seaports.
You can only get a visa to Vietnam on arrival if you will be entering through one of these
airports.
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There are 4 types of visas depending on the length of stay and frequency of visits to the country:
- Single entry visa for up to 1 month: you can enter Vietnam with this visa only once (maximum). Period of stay: 1 month.
- Multiple entry visa up to 1 month: you can enter Vietnam with this visa many times (maximum). Period of stay: 1 month.
- Single entry visa for up to 3 months: you can enter Vietnam only once (maximum). Period of stay: 3 months.
- Multiple entry visa up to 3 months: you can enter Vietnam with this visa many times (maximum). Period of stay: 3 months (85 days).
2) Visa processing at the Consulate.
In some cases, travelers prefer to apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Consulate. This is done according to the same scheme as the visa on arrival. The only difference is that the invitation letter replaces the so-called Visa Approval Code. To get it, you need to fill in an application form at the Consulate, and in return you will receive a form with the code.
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Vietnamese tourist visa (DL) is one of the most popular types of Vietnam visa. It is an official document or stamp that allows a person to enter Vietnam for the purpose of vacation and tourism.
Important! Tourist visa holders are prohibited from working or doing business while in Vietnam.
Standard documents to apply for a tourist visa by any method:
- Your current passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
- Passport-sized photos.
- A completed and signed Vietnam visa application form (if you are applying in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you can find the application form in their offices or on their website).
- Proof that you have paid the Vietnam visa application fee (settlement slip).
- Approval letter (if you are applying for a visa on arrival)
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Visiting Phu Quoc Island;
Tourists who visit Phu Quoc Island by direct international flight and stay there for up to 30 days do not need to apply for a visa in advance if the following conditions are met:
- the trip lasts a little over 30 days;
- the passport is valid for at least another six months;
- the traveler doesn't leave the island;
- there's a return ticket available;
- the guest arrives by international air or water transport from another country.
Important! If the rules of visa-free visit are violated, a fine will be issued for each day of delay.
If you need to transfer to Vietnam when flying to another country, you will not need a transit visa if several conditions are met: there is a ticket to a third country, the stay time does not exceed one day.
To import pets to Vietnam, the first step is to:
- issue an international veterinary passport. The document should indicate the health of the animal, its readiness for flight, the absence of parasites and vaccinations made.
- the animal must be vaccinated against the following diseases and viruses: plague, herpesvirus, calicivirus, leukemia and rabies.
- the vaccination certificate must indicate the name of the drug that the animal was vaccinated with, its manufacturer, the serial number of the vaccination, the date of vaccination and the end date of the vaccination.
When entering Vietnam, you must fill out a customs declaration if you have items to be declared.
Import of household and computer equipment (including laptops) to Vietnam is subject to mandatory declaration. All undeclared equipment will be allowed for export only if you pay duties or have a receipt for its purchase from local trade organizations.
Important! It is recommended to keep proof of all expenses incurred in the country during the stay.
Also, do not forget that there is a Vat Refund system, which allows you to return part of the cost of expensive purchases at check-out. Learn more about Vat Refund in Vietnam here.
Import is allowed without duty:
- up to 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco;
- up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 22 degrees or 1.5 liters of stronger alcoholic beverages, up to 3 liters of other alcoholic beverages or beer;
- up to 5 kg. tea, up to 3 kg. coffee;
- other goods for personal use with a total value of no more than VND 50 000.
Export is prohibited:
- of the national currency;
- art and antiques;
- jewelry and handicrafts without proper documentation.
Import / export of foreign currency.
Import and export of foreign convertible and national currency from Vietnam is not restricted, but it is necessary to declare any foreign currency in the equivalent of more than 5 thousand US dollars, as well as national currency in the amount of more than 15,000,000 VND. Gold with a total weight of more than 300 g is also subject to declaration.
What is prohibited to import and export?
Drugs and medicines containing narcotic drugs without a medical prescription for their use (sanctions for drug importation are extremely high, up to the death penalty);
- firearms;
- pornography;
- printed products, CDs, audio and video recordings that offend local traditions;
- alive wild animals, stuffed turtles, corals, rare plants.
There are no restrictions on the number of such items, but they must be declared:
- Foreign currency in the amount of more than 5,000 USA dollars.
- Vietnamese currency in the amount of more than VND 15,000,000.
- Gold which is weighing more than 300 grams.
- Gold and jewelry are not for personal use.
- Videotapes, CDs, and DVDs (they can be temporarily withdrawn upon entry for verification and then returned).
Fruit removal.
Officially, there are no customs bans on the export of fruit from Vietnam, but theoretically some restrictions can be set by the veterinary and phytosanitary control service: export only in plastic containers.
Since the Customs Service doesn’t regulate in any way how fruit can be transported on board the aircraft. This is all within the competence of the specific airline you are flying with. Usually, fruit isn’t checked in luggage, but is transported in hand luggage in any convenient packaging (plastic container, bag, backpack), unless other rules are established by the airline.
How to cross streets in big cities
Traffic is crazy in Vietnam. In Hanoi and Khomyshyn, crossing the road will not be easy.
Cross with the locals: especially if you are crossing the street for the first time in Vietnam, try to notice the locals, follow them and copy their pace.
When you find yourself in the middle of the road, keep walking and don't stop.
Remember that sidewalks are used not only by pedestrians, but also by scooterists who want to avoid traffic jams.
Getting around the city by taxi
The most efficient way to get around in big cities is to use the Grab or Gojek apps. Like Uber, Grab and Gojek are taxi companies that allow you to "order" rides on scooters and cars. This is a very simple and cheap option for those on a budget. Rides are booked through your mobile phone (you may need to buy a local SIM card for this), and the cost of the trip is fixed. The app allows you to pay for your ride with a card or cash.
Beware of scams
Vietnam is known for its tourist traps and scams, so we've listed some of the most common ones below so you can recognize and avoid them:
- Taxi scam. Taxi scams are a common occurrence in Vietnam, especially in touristy places. Some taxi drivers take advantage of tourists' ignorance by driving them in circles to increase the fare or by charging exorbitant prices. To avoid getting scammed, use a trusted taxi service or a taxi app like Grab. Always ask for the fare before getting into a taxi and make sure the meter is on.
- Fake tours and tickets. Beware of cheap tours or tickets. Some tour operators may offer low prices, only to take you to fake attractions or make you pay additional fees once you are on the tour. To avoid this, research the company in advance and read reviews from other travelers.
- Money exchange scams. Some currency exchange offices may advertise favorable exchange rates, but actually give you less money than you should get. To avoid this, always check the exchange rate in advance and exchange money only in reliable exchange offices or banks.
- Motorcycle rental scams. Motorcycle rental scams are common in Vietnam, especially in popular tourist destinations. Some rental companies may ask for an inflated deposit and then claim damages that were already on the motorcycle or even steal it. To avoid this, rent a motorcycle only from trusted companies and take photos of it before and after the rental.
Napkins are not free
You may be used to a waiter bringing you an unlimited number of napkins and you don't have to pay, but in Vietnam, this is not the case. Iced tea or jasmine tea is free as soon as you order from the menu, but each napkin costs 2000 or 3000 dong. Waiters even linger at your table and count the number of napkins used.
Book train tickets at the station
Always buy your ticket at the train station, not at the hotel. Your hotel will charge you a "basic" service fee of VND200,000. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.
Buses with sleeping places
If you plan to travel from city to city and are on a budget, sleeper buses are a good solution. The individual seats are similar to beds, allowing you to fully stretch your legs and recline to a lying position. Traveling by these buses from Hanoi to Sapa, from Hoi An to Nha Trang and from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City will cost about $12 per trip.
Sources:
1. https://www.holidify.com
2. https://thetravelista.net
3. https://forevervacation.com
Viet Nam