Vietnam Visa Guide 2021 - 7 important steps when applying for Vietnam Visa

Vietnam - a small and beautiful country is situated in the center of the Southeast Asia region. This S-shaped country has brave beauty during the war and the attractive beauty in the time of peace. Vietnam is in the progress of integrating and developing cultural and economic exchanges. By applying the open Visa to Vietnam policies, expanding the list of visa-exempt countries or extending the time of residence for foreigners, Vietnam is aiming to be the most attractive destination in the region. If you are planning to discover Vietnam and wonder about the Vietnam Travel Visa, this article will help you to answer the question:” How to get a Visa for Vietnam”

I. Which nationalities are required to apply for the Visa to Vietnam

1. Do you need a Visa for Vietnam?

Before traveling to Vietnam you should know that is your nationality required to apply visa to Vietnam? This is the first important step in the progress of preparing your Vietnam travel. Just imagine that you are a traveler who comes from the Vietnam Visa Exemption country and has a short time journey to Vietnam,  you only finish reading the below table from Vietnam Visa guide article. That is enough!

Whether you are traveling to Vietnam for business or pleasure, you should also be aware of the above Vietnam Visa requirements for foreigners. It will help to save your time preparing a plan to Vietnam. 

2. Some exceptions of Vietnam Visa

The tourists or the businessmen who hold British National Overseas passports are not exempted from visa to Vietnam requirement, included Vietnam Visa on arrival. They must have approval visas to enter Vietnam.

The tourists or the businessmen who enter Vietnam to register visa exemption, the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit as the unilateral visa-exempted person. Otherwise, they must have an approval visa to enter Vietnam.

No Vietnam Visa is issued for 60 days per time with APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) 

Phu Quoc Island is the only destination that has the Vietnam visa exemption requirement if the foreign tourists who entry into Vietnam through an international border gate and stay at the island no longer than 30 days. In case if the foreigners had gone through one of the international border gates of Vietnam before traveling Phu Quoc Island, they also use such exemption. If the holder of foreign passport want to travel to another province of Vietnam, The local immigration department has responsibility for issuing the Vietnam Visa on the spot

3. The difference between Tourist Visa and Business Visa

How are Vietnamtouristm visa and Vietnam business Visa categorized?

The number of foreigners entering Vietnam is increasing. This sets new requirements in the policy of Visa to Vietnam which are in keeping with the integration process.

Nowadays, foreigners entering Vietnam for various reasons, with each entry purpose having a corresponding visa. Before 2015, Vietnam visas for foreign citizens had been symbolized as A, B, C, D with number 1,2,3,4 behind. for different purposes of their visit. All old signs of Vietnam visa categories were replaced by the others which are more simple and clear. The all-new signs are based on the New Immigration Law issued on June 16th, 2014 and applied on January 1st, 2015 on entry, exit and immigration for foreign visitors in Vietnam.

The number of visas as the newest regulation is up to 20 signs and the more important thing about the Vietnam visa is that the visa or the purpose of the visa is NOT converted. According to current regulations, the location of the visa sign is at the top right of the Vietnam visa.

Whether you are planning to Vietnam for business or pleasure, you need to learn about the category Vietnam visa. This will help to have careful preparation before you apply for Vietnam Visa. Within this article, we will show clearly the classification of the Vietnam Tourism Visa and the Vietnam Business Visa

Besides, there are 13 remaining Vietnam visas for other purposes included: SQ, TT, PV1, PV2, HN, DH, NN1, NN1, NN2, NN3, NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4. With traveling and working purposes, you should remember all signs on the above table. Actually, Sign “VR” is not included on the Vietnam Tourism Visa but you can both travel Vietnam and visit with relatives residing there

II. Your travel itinerary will decide the kind of entry visa to Vietnam

A foreigner is permitted to enter Vietnam for tourism or business up to 90 days from the date of the first entry. The staying duration may be continuous or several times of visits depending upon whether your Vietnam visa is the single or multiple entries. Actually,  your choice of single or multiple entry Vietnam visa depends on your travel itinerary. 

1. Single Entry visa to Vietnam - For an uninterrupted stay

Once you leave Vietnam, you can not enter Vietnam again without getting the new Vietnam Visa. This has occurred when you had applied the single entry visa to Vietnam before. For example, if you apply for the 3 months single entry visa, you are allowed to enter and exit Vietnam once only within 90 days since your pre-registered arrival date.

Vietnam single entry visa fee

2. Multiple Entry Visa to Vietnam - For the many stays in one or more countries

As long as the total length of the staying time does not exceed the validity period of the visa which is applied from the date of first entry. If you have applied the Vietnam multiple entry visa before, you are allowed to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times within the staying duration since your registered arrival date.

Vietnam multiple entry visa fee

Vietnam tourist visa for US citizens
- 6 months and 12 months multiple entries tourist Visa are applied for US citizens only.
- 3 months of staying are maximum for one entry. It means the US tourists will have to get a Vietnam visa run each 90 days with the Vietnam tourist visa.
- For US citizens, who want to stay in Vietnam for 6 months or 12 months without wishing to exit or do a visa run is suggested applying for the Vietnam business visa.

If you travel or work in Vietnam without going out of this country during your visa period, a single entry visa is an economical choice. But a multiple entry visa will be the most suitable choice for those who wish to enter in and out of Vietnam many times during their Vietnam visa period.

III. Decide the best way to apply Vietnam visa

The advantages and the disadvantages of ways to apply for Vietnam Visa

Applying for a Vietnam visa is the first issue you should think before entering this S-shaped country. As citizens from most countries must register a visa to Vietnam in advance, figuring out how to get a visa for Vietnam is often a big deal in every visitor’s plans. Before entering any of Vietnam’s borders, choose one of the ways of getting a visa to Vietnam to fit your plans perfectly.

You should know the advantages and disadvantages of every way to make your final decision. The below analysis will show you more information

Name of Entry Gate which is good for Vietnam E-visa

International airports (by airplane)
1. Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi city, Vietnam
2. Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
3. Cam Ranh international airport in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam
4. Da Nang international airport in Da Nang city, Vietnam
5. Cat Bi international airport in Hai Phong city, Vietnam
6. Can Tho international airport in Can Tho city, Vietnam
7. Phu Quoc international airport in Phu Quoc island, Kien Giang province, Vietnam
8. Phu Bai international airport in Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam

International land-crossing border
1. Mong Cai border gate in Quang Ninh Province (border with China), Vietnam
2. Friendship or Huu Nghi border gate in Lang Son province (border with China), Vietnam
3. Lao Cai border gate in Lao Cai province (border with China), Vietnam
4. Nam Can border gate in Nghe An province (border with Laos), Vietnam
5. Cau Treo border gate in Ha Tinh province (border with Laos), Vietnam
6. Cha Lo border gate in Quang Binh province (border with Laos), Vietnam.
7. Lao Bao border gate in Quang Binh province (border with Laos), Vietnam.
8. Bo Y border gate in Kon Tum province (border with Cambodia and Laos), Vietnam.
9. Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province (border with Cambodia), Vietnam.
10. Xa Mat border gate in Tay Ninh province (border with Cambodia), Vietnam.
11. Tinh Bien border gate in An Giang province (border with Cambodia), Vietnam.
12. Song Tien border gate in Tien Giang province (border with Cambodia), Vietnam.
13. Ha Tien border gate in Kien Giang province (border with Cambodia), Vietnam.
 

International seaports (by ship)
1. Hon Gai port in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
2. Hai Phong port in Hai Phong province, Vietnam.
3. Nha Trang port in Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province), Vietnam.
4. Da Nang port in Da Nang city, Vietnam.
5. Quy Nhon port in Quy Nhon city (Binh Dinh province), Vietnam.
6. Vung Tau port in Vung Tau city (Ba Ria Vung Tau province), Vietnam.
7. Saigon port in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.

(Source from The Vietnam Immigration Department) 

After reading carefully the pros and cons of three ways of applying for Vietnam Visa, have you chosen your best options? Please follow this article for the fifth step!

IV. The required documents to prepare before applying visa to Vietnam

If your nationality is not on the Vietnam visa exemption list, you need to prepare the sufficient documents before applying for Vietnam visa. Keeping the most necessary documents is an important step that helps you save the moving time and eliminate the inconvenient procedures when getting Vietnam Visa.

1. The differences between the Vietnam tourist visa and the Vietnam business visa.

The Vietnam tourism Visa or the Vietnam business Visa? Your visa is showing the reason you are entering Vietnam (in case you need a visa). You actually need the tourist visa in case you go into Vietnam for traveling but you also need a business invitation letter in case you are traveling Vietnam to set up some serious business issues.

The Vietnam tourism Visa is approved when you wish to travel for leisure or visit family and friends. Also, you can travel on the tourist visa for attending recreational classes, for the music event or sports-related and even for medical treatments.

The Vietnam Business Visa is approved when you can attend business or other business-related conventions, conferences, events. You can negotiate contracts and quotations, do trade, work for Vietnam company and carry out business purchases. You can even interview and hire staff during your staying duration with a business visa.

2. The required Documents needed for Vietnam E Visa

Vietnam E-visa means Vietnam Electronic visa (online visa) which you can do all the procedures online from submitting your application and the necessary documents until you get the E-visa for Vietnam. Planning for a Vietnam trip whatever your purpose is a business visa or tourist visa, the procedure will be the same but the required documents will change according to the purpose.

Official Website for applying Vietnam E-Visa

a. Who are qualified for Vietnam E-visa?

Vietnam is currently issuing a pilot E-Visa system for citizens from 46 countries and nations. You can see the above list for qualifying your nationality.

The legitimacy of Vietnam E-visa is 30 days

The Vietnam E-visa is issued for a single entry visa and for both traveling and working purposes. 

b. The required documents needed before applying Vietnam E-visa

3. The required documents needed for getting a visa from a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in your home country 

a. Who should get Vietnam visa at Embassy or Consulate

The citizens come from the countries which have a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate

The visitors are still in their home country and have so much time before entering Vietnam

The people who are ready to pay the higher Vietnam Visa Fee in order to keep the peace in mind of having a visa all set before coming to Vietnam.

b.  The required documents needed for getting a visa from a Vietnam Embassy or Consulate

4. The required documents needed for applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival

a. Who should get the Vietnam visa on arrival

The citizens who come from the country have no Vietnam Embassy or Consulate or live far from the Vietnam Embassy in the home country.

The foreigners plan the Vietnam trip in the last minutes

The people want to get a Vietnam visa as cheap as possible

b. The required documents need for getting Vietnam visa on arrival

V. How to apply Visa to Vietnam

As I mention above, whatever purposes you enter Vietnam, the getting visa process is the same for all visitors 

1. Getting Vietnam E-visa process

Vietnam government is now launching the official immigration website. You do not need to register through an agent website anymore, which will save you a few troubles.

Step 1: Accessing the Vietnam E-visa website.

Step 2: Fill out the online form fields, very self- explanatory.
            - Upload a passport-sized photo

Upload your passport’s data page

Fill out your personal information, travel dates, address, etc.

Step 3: Verify the exact information

Step 4: Go to payment link and settle

Step 5: After 3 working days, check the status and make sure that it was already approved

Step 6: Click the print visa button. You must bring the printed Vietnam visa with you when checking in the flight to Vietnam

2. Getting Vietnam visa at embassy or Consulate process

Step 1: Prepare the required documents

Step 2: Access the Official Vietnam Embassy website to fill in electronically the Vietnam visa application form online, and print it out. You can print the blank PDF form via the website and write down by hand

Step 3: You can apply in person at Vietnam Embassy or mailing your materials

Step 4: 

Register all required documents at the Visa counter, pay the visa fee and get a promissory note from the Embassy staff. The processing time from 2-7 working days depending on the kind of visa

If you send your materials to the Embassy via mail, remember to add in a few days on either end to account for the time your application takes to get there and back

Step 5: Get directly the visa at Embassy or pay more the postal fee attached envelope having the address for receiving the Vietnam visa by post

3. Getting Vietnam visa on arrival process

Step 1: Prepare all of your required documents

Step 2: 

For Travelers: Choose the reliable Vietnam Visa Agency, fill the application form, send the scan of required documents, pay the visa service fee. They will submit and do the remaining procedures for granting a letter of approval for a Vietnam visa on arrival.

For Business: Send the required documents to the business partner for being supported to grant a letter of approval for a Vietnam visa on arrival.

Step 3: Waiting two days and more for receiving the letter of approval via your registered email

Step 4: Remember print the letter and pack it with required documents on your luggage

Step 5: The only points for issuing Vietnam Visa on arrival are 5 international airports in Vietnam. So you have to take the flight to travel to Vietnam. After landing, You should come to the arrival counter, wait in line for the name called, show the original required documents and pay the visa stamp fee in cash only

VI. Read some important tips when applying for Vietnam visa

Keep in mind the 30 days starts from when your visa date is valid, NOT from when you enter the country.

Top recommendation Agencies for a Visa on Arrival:

Vietnamvisa-Easy

Vietnam Visa Govt
Vietnam E visa
Vietnam Immigration and Visa Services
3. The maximum of staying duration for Vietnam tourist visa on arrival is up to 3 months and for Business visa on arrival is up to 12 months

4. Please note two main points when applying Vietnam visa for children:

Children under one- year- old: not required photo

Children under 14 years old: They may not fill another application form, they only need to apply their personal information (full name, date of birth, 2 passport 4x6cm photos) with their parent’s application.