Vietnam Tourist Visa: Requirements & How to Apply

Do you want to visit Vietnam for leisure or business traveling? A visa to Vietnam is essential. Let me guide you on how you can procure one depending on the purpose of your visit. The most popular visa type is a tourist visa, valid for 15-30 days and can be extended, on special request, up to a period of three months.
 

Requirements for Vietnam Tourist Visa Application

• Your passport
- shows your nationality,  full name (order not important), Date of Birth in this format: DD/MM/YYYY
- valid for 6 months before your date of arrival to Vietnam
- has no less than two blank pages for the visa stamp.

• Your date of arrival should be clearly stated, and you must not arrive before the said date

• Your photograph is required upon arrival at the Vietnam airport
 - Photo size 4 x 6 cm or 2 x 2 inches
 - Solid, plain white background with no shadows
 - Remove headdress that covers your face
 - Face the camera, keep a neutral expression, eyes open, and do not smile

Note:
• Children have to be photographed in the same way
• Infants can be made to lie down for a visa photo
• The application can be submitted online stating the duration of the visa.

 

How to Apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa?

There are three criteria.
• A visa on arrival (applicable to 150 countries)
• Submit your visa application at a Vietnamese embassy abroad
• Online e-visa application (single entry visa for a period of one month, applicable to nationals of 80 countries)

See more about Vietnam Visa Application
 

Visa on Arrival

It is a process of procuring a preapproved visa through a visa approval letter. The travel agency in Vietnam will check at the departure airport and pick up the stamped visa at the international airport upon your arrival. Visa-on Arrival is only applicable for air travel. For entering Vietnam through land or cruise travel you need to have a full visa before you enter. For pre-approved visa, you need to contact private agencies, as no official sites offer the visa on arrival service.
 

Countries Eligible for Vietnam Visa on Arrival:

 
Country Days
Japan 15 days
Malaysia 30 days
South Korea 15 days
Thailand 30 days
Indonesia 30 days
United Kingdom 15 days
Spain 15 days
Sweden 15 days
Singapore 30 days
Russia 15 days
Philippines 21 days
Norway 15 days
Italy 15 days
Germany 15 days
Finland 15 days
France 15 days
Denmark 15 days
Belarus 15 days
 

Visa Type

 
The Vietnam visa is divided into 21 types but the first six types are widely used and the most popular is the Vietnam tourist visa.
 
Visa Type Description Category
DL Tourist
1-month single entry visa;
1-month multiple entry visa;
3 months single entry visa;
3months multiple entry visa
DN1, DN2 Business
1-month single entry visa;
1-month multiple entry visa;
3 months single entry visa;
3 months multiple entry visa
DH Student/Internship You need to come with a tourist visa them apply for a student visa after you enroll in a course. There are agencies that help
DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4 Investor 5 years, 5 years, 3years, and 12 months respectively
LD1 - LD2 Working/Employment This is valid for 2 years and can be extended following proper procedures
NG Diplomatic 12 months
LV1, LV2 Working with Vietnam authorities/parties Maximum of 12 months
LS Lawyer Maximum of 5 months
NN1 Delegates invited by the government of Vietnam the Secretary-General, President, the President of the National Assembly or the Prime Minister Maximum of 12 months
NN2 Delegate invited by a prominent member of the standing party Maximum of 12 months
NN3 For members on diplomatic mission international representatives of organizations. UN representatives, office of intergovernmental organizations and their spouse and children below 18 years. House helps area also included Maximum of 12 months
NN4 People on diplomatic mission, consular, international organizations affiliated to the UN. Families Maximum of 12 months
HN Meeting and conference Maximum of 12 months
PV1 Journalists residing permanently in Vietnam Maximum of 12 months
PV2 Journalist of short-term residence Maximum of 12 months
TT Dependents of LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1-LD2 visa holders.  Non-Vietnamese spouse or children. Maximum of 12 months
VR Family visit or other purpose Maximum of 6 months
EV Electronic Visa Maximum of 30 days
 

Visa Fee

 
Type of Visa Service Stamping Fee
Single entry - 1 month 18 USD 25 USD
Multiple entry - 1 month 23 USD 50 USD
Single entry - 3 month 28 USD 25 USD
Multiple entry - 3 month 43 USD 50 USD
Multiple entry - 12 month
(US passports)
60 USD 135 USD

See more about Vietnam Visa Cost
 

Visa Processing Time

The visa processing time is subject to public holidays. However, the normal time is about 5 working days for the visa’s applied through the embassy. The visa on arrival letter takes 3-5 working days. In emergency cases, an approval letter can be obtained in a couple of hours also.

It is easy to procure a Vietnam tourist visa. Keep enough time in hand and plan your trip. Just keep the procedures in mind. You are travelling from one country to the other. Keep your papers and documents in hand so that you can show them to concerned authorities without delay. Be sure to replace them in your bag and keep them safe. Travel safely and enjoy the natural beauty and culture of the place.

- Last updated on Apr. 14, 2021 -
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