Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. The country is an amalgamation of the ancient and the modern, the old and the new. Buddhist sanctuaries and colonial architecture can be found right next to sleek high rises and charming cafes. 

Vietnam attracts people from all over the world with its stunning mountains, rice fields, bustling cities, picturesque river towns, and not to mention its delicious food which is considered by many to be one of the best cuisines in the world. 

Hanoi, Vietnam’s glittering capital is an unforgettable introduction to Vietnam with its lively atmosphere, unique museums, ancient pagodas, and bustling streets. The city is also the gateway to the lush green mountains and forests in the north as well as the iconic Halong Bay.

The southern city of Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it is popularly known comes alive with its buzzing streets, thriving cafe culture, and stunning colonial architecture.

For an escape from the bustling city life, take a trip out into the world-famous Sapa rice fields or the mangrove forests and rivers of the Mekong Delta. Another town you cannot miss is ancient Hue with its temples, tombs, and pagodas.

Beach lovers can head to the picture-perfect beach towns of Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, and Nha Trang. 

Next up comes the captivating river town of Hoi An with its well-preserved ancient architecture that makes the town feel like it came straight out from a fairytale. Nearby, you can find Vietnam's most prominent Cham sanctuary ruins at My Son.

Travel to Vietnam

Before visiting Vietnam, guests are required to obtain either a Vietnam visa on arrival or a Vietnam E-Visa. 

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Yes, before traveling to Vietnam, visitors must apply for a Vietnam visa unless they are from one of the 24 countries exempted from visa requirements (check table below to see if you are from one of these countries).

Vietnam offers visa exemptions ranging from 14 to 90 days to citizens of 24 countries. To see visa exemptions for diplomatic passports and other passports, please click here or check the table below.

List of exempted countries:

Note: All nationals traveling directly to Phu Quoc island can travel visa-free for 30 days around Phu Quoc only.

Please note: Family members or offspring of Vietnamese residents are permitted to remain in the country without a visa for 6 months or half a year provided they show papers demonstrating their qualification. Check this link for a full list of the prerequisites.

Under the new immigration regulations effective July 1, 2020 (Law No. 51/2019/QH14), Vietnam visa is classified into around 21 main types by the purpose of visit- DL, DN1, DN2, NG, DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4, LS, DH, LV, LD1, LD2, HN, PV1, TT, SQ, etc.

Vietnam visa type by the purpose of visit

1. Tourist visa (DL)

According to the new regulations, holders of Vietnam tourist visas that are valid for 30 days will only be given a 30-day temporary residence stamp and that they may extend their visa if they wish to stay for more days within the country. 

There are three ways to apply for a Vietnam tourist visa.

1. Getting a Vietnam visa on arrival – recommended for those traveling to Vietnam by air.
2. Getting a Vietnam visa through an embassy.
3. Getting a Vietnam electronic visa or e-Visa.

2. Business visa (DN1, DN2)

The second most sought-after visa for Vietnam is the business visa. It is divided into: 

• DN1 visa – Granted to foreigners to work with other enterprises and organizations with legal status according to Vietnamese law.
• DN2 visa – Granted to outsiders who come to Vietnam to offer administrations, build up a business presence, or perform different exercises under worldwide deals to which Vietnam is a part.

Vietnam Business Visas are divided depending on the duration of stay and the number of entries. 

• 1-month single-entry visa
• 1-month multiple entry visa
• 3 months single entry visa
• 3 months multiple entry visas.

There are two different ways to apply for a Vietnam business visa:

1. Apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival
2. Apply for a Vietnam consulate visa.

3. Student/internship visa (DH)

Vietnam student visa is issued to those who are studying at an undergraduate or graduate course in Vietnam. 

Usually, this visa is arranged upon arrival in Vietnam. You can enter Vietnam on a tourist visa, then apply for a change of visa status at the Immigration Office after registering for the course. You can also get a student visa through an agency like BDATrip.

4. Investor Visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)

Vietnamese Investor Visas are visas issued to foreign investors in Vietnam.

• DT1 - Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with the contributed capital of 100 billion VND or more or investing in industries and trades eligible for investment decided by the Government of Vietnam. Valid for up to 5 years.
• DT2 - Granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of under 100 billion VND, or investment in the business sector in the field of investment supported by the Government of Vietnam. Valid for up to 5 years.
• DT3 - Granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of under 50 billion VND. Valid for up to 3 years.
• DT4 - Granted to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of less than 3 billion VND. Valid for up to 12 months.

5. Work visa (LD1 – LD2)

A Vietnam work visa is granted to foreign nationals who come to work in Vietnam, like teaching, consultant, professional, etc. It is categorized into:

• LD1 – Granting foreigners to work in Vietnam with work permit exemption papers, unless otherwise provided for by treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
• LD2 – Issued to foreigners who have a Vietnamese work permit. This visa type is valid for a maximum term of 2 years. In case you want to stay in Vietnam longer, you need to apply for a temporary residence card with a maximum value of LD 02 years.

In order to apply for a Vietnam work visa, you need to request your company in Vietnam to apply for an LD visa approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Please note:

• You are required to have a work permit or written confirmation that does not require a work permit.
• If you do not have a work permit or a document stating that you do not have a work permit, you will have to apply for a business visa with the company you will be working with.
• Applications for Vietnamese labor visas do not require criminal records.
• You are required to pay two types of fees for a work visa: a fee for approval of a work visa and a stamping fee at the Vietnamese Embassy or Vietnamese port.

6. Diplomatic visa (NG)

A Vietnam Diplomatic visa is issued for: 

• Individuals from a designation visiting Vietnam at the behest of the Vietnamese government or government authorities.
• Department faculty in Vietnam
• Individuals who work with office individuals or are visiting them for a brief period.

There is no charge for a diplomatic visa to Vietnam except if it has been chosen so by the Vietnamese consulate and the candidate's nation of origin. 

To apply for the Vietnam conciliatory visa, the candidate needs to present an authority letter from a government office, department, or consulate to the concerned organizations in the candidate's nation. A diplomatic visa for Vietnam is valid for a year.

Vietnam visa types by the length of stay and validity

Under this criteria, a Vietnamese visa is categorized into:

• 1-month single entry visa
• 1-month multiple entry visa
• 3 months single entry visa
• 3 months multiple entry visa
• 6 months multiple entry visa
• 1-year multiple entry visas

There are 3 methods to apply for a visa to Vietnam

1. Vietnam visa on Arrival
2. Vietnam E-Visa
3. Vietnam visa at the Vietnamese Embassies or Consulates

Apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival

What is a Vietnam visa on Arrival (Vietnam visa online)?

The Vietnam visa on arrival (Vietnam landing visa, Vietnam air terminal visa, or Vietnam visa on appearance) is a valid document required to gain entry into Vietnam. It is only for travelers entering Vietnam by air. To get a visa on arrival travelers must have a Letter of Approval issued by the Vietnamese government.

Why apply for a Vietnam visa online?

Applying for a Vietnam visa online is faster, easier, and more cost-effective.

• Fast: Get your visa within 02 – 04 working hours or within 2 - 3 working days.
• Simple: 100% online with clear guidelines and simple visa application procedures
• Low cost: Cheaper and more cost-effective than other types of visas.

Documents required for a Vietnam visa on arrival

• Passport: A passport with a minimum of 6 months validity at the date of arrival and blank pages for visa stamps.
• Photo: Two passport-sized measured photographs (4x6 cm) with a white background and no glasses.
• Application entry/exit form: Available at the airport terminals or downloadable from our site.
• Stamping Fee: Pay with money (by cash), either Vietnamese Dong or US Dollars, upon appearance - $25 for single-entry and $50 for multiple-entry.
• Approval Letter: Print 2 copies of the letter in color.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival?

STEP 1: Fill in the application form with correct information. 

STEP 2: Confirm the information in the form and pay the required fee.  

STEP 3: Receive the approval letter within 2-3 business days and print it 

STEP 4: Get your visa stamped upon arrival in one of four Vietnam international airports.

How much does it cost to apply for a Vietnam visa on Arrival?

To get your Vietnam visa on arrival, you are required to pay two fees: 

1. The Approval Letter fee:  Paid on the website after applying for the approval letter.
2. The Stamping Fee: Paid in cash at the Vietnamese air terminal in either Vietnamese dong or U.S. dollars. It costs $25 for a 1-month / 3-month Single Entry visa and $50 for a 1-month / 3-month Multiple Entry visa.

Vietnam visa on arrival fee

Apply for Vietnam E-Visa

What is Vietnam's E-visa?

Vietnam offers an e-Visa to travelers who want to visit the country. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days with a single entry point. You can use the e-visa to enter Vietnam either by air, sea, or land. As of July 2020, Vietnam's e-Visa is accessible to nationals of 80 countries.

You can apply for e-Visas here Vietnam e-Visa Application.

Documents required for a Vietnam E-visa 

• Valid passport with minimum six (6) months validity
• Photograph of your passport in .jpg format
• A 4x6 passport photograph in .jpg format with white background, and without glasses
• An international credit or debit card
• A working email address
• Temporary address in Vietnam
• Point of entry and exit dates and passage

How to apply for Vietnam E-visa?

Step1: Apply for e-Visa on a Vietnam visa 

Step 2: Follow the steps and fill out all the necessary information and upload your documents.

Step 3: Confirm the information and submit the form.

Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD.

Step 5: Receive the registration code via email 

Step 6: Within 3 days you’ll receive an email regarding your e-visa.

Step 7: Enter your registration code on the provided link and download the pdf file.

Tip: Remember to save your enlistment number – you will require it to check and download your visa later on.

How much does it cost to apply for a Vietnam e-Visa?

The e-Visa costs 25 USD. 

How long does it take to get a Vietnam e-Visa?

It requires 3 business days to obtain your Vietnam E-visa.

What are the conditions for granting Vietnam e-Visa?

• Outside Vietnam foreigners
• Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity
• The person should not fall into the cases of suspension from entry as prescribed in Article 21 of Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, residence in Vietnam.

List of ports that permit outsiders to enter and leave Vietnam by e-Visa

Vietnam e-Visas is acknowledged at all of the global air terminals in Vietnam, including the centers at Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho City, and Phu Quoc Island. 

Here is a list of the qualified port of passage:

List of countries that allow issuing of Vietnam E-visa 

Citizens from the following countries are eligible to apply online for a Vietnam e-Visa.

Apply for Vietnam Embassy Visa

What is a Vietnam embassy visa?

Vietnamese Embassy visa is a pre-approved visa issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department which allows applicants to collect their stamped visa at the consulate or embassy. 

Documents required for a Vietnam embassy visa

• Valid passport with minimum six (6) months validity
• An application form downloaded from the website of the embassy with which you are applying for the visa
• A sponsor letter from a Vietnam-based company is required for those who are applying for a Vietnam business visa.

Note: The required documents for getting a visa at the Vietnam embassy/consulate may vary depending on the embassy/consulate with which you wish to submit your applications.

How to apply for a Vietnam embassy visa?

A Vietnam embassy visa can be applied for in person or by post by the candidate or anybody on his/her benefit at the embassy or consulate. 

Step 1: Download the application form from the website of the embassy with which you are applying for the visa.

Step 2: Fill in the application form and submit it at the embassy or consulate.

Step 3: Pay the required visa fee.

Step 4: Come back to the Vietnam embassy again to get the passport and visa stamped.

Please note: Call or email the embassy or consulate before visiting the office. If the application form is not available on the embassy website it can be taken right at the front desk of the embassy. 

How much does it cost to apply for a Vietnam Embassy visa?

Visa charges will rely upon the sort of visa for which you are applying.

How long does it take to get a Vietnam Embassy visa?

It will take around 5 days to get a Vietnam embassy visa. 

Worldwide travel services reserve the option to demand that a skilled state organization (the Vietnam Immigration Department, or VID) affirm the section, exit, or travel of vacationers as expressed in Article 13 of Decree No. 92/2007/ND-CP. This announcement subtleties the usage of some of the Articles of the Laws on Tourism, including guidelines concerning the rights and commitments of global vacationer organizations. Global travel services, hence, can lawfully demand the VID's help with affirming visa Approval Letters for their traveler customers. 

Article 13. Rights and obligations of international travel enterprises

1. A global travel endeavor has the accompanying rights:
   1. To appreciate business independence and assume liability for the travel industry business exercises;
   2. To demand an able state office to support the passage, exit, or travel of vacationers;
   3. To have their legal the travel industry business exercises ensured by the State;
   4. To take an interest in the travel industry advancement exercises; participate in expert affiliations;
   5. Different rights accommodated by law.
2. A worldwide travel endeavor has the accompanying commitments:
   1. To set up, register, and direct its business as per law;
   2. To utilize local area experts who have global vacationer's guide's cards to direct unfamiliar sightseers and notice guidelines on the work of workers;
   3. To advise the commonplace level state office charge of the travel industry of the substitution of its movement business manager within 30 days after such substitution;
   4. To screen and make full and exact measurements on the number of vacationers to whom it has given the travel industry administrations;
   5. To guarantee the conditions for, an interest of, sightseers as per the finished up arrangements;
   6. Different commitments are endorsed by law.

Vietnam visa exemption

Vietnam Visa exemption is allowed to:

1. Residents of Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Laos for visits of 30 days maximum.
2. Residents of the Philippines for visits of 21 days maximum.
3. Residents of Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, and Finland for visits of 15 days maximum.
4. Residents of Brunei for visits of 14 days maximum.
5. Residents of France holding legitimate strategic or official identifications for visits of 90 days or a few visits of a half year maximum.
6. Residents of Chile holding legitimate discretionary or official international IDs for visits of 90 days maximum.
7. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) part economies for visits of 60 days maximum.
8. For the individuals who travel to Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam: Foreigners and Vietnamese nationals bearing unfamiliar identifications who enter Vietnam through a worldwide line door and afterward travel to Phu Quoc Island and stay in Phu Quoc under 15 days will likewise be allowed Vietnam visa exclusion. Identifications should be substantial for 45 days. In the wake of showing up in Phu Quoc Island, if guests need to make a trip to different regions or stay on the island for over 15 days, the movement office will be liable for giving visas directly on the spot.

National Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10

Identified with the passage, exit, and home of outsiders in Vietnam, the Standing Committee of Vietnam National Assembly gave a National Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 on 28 April 2000. The statute incorporates 7 parts and 26 articles expressing explicitly who is liable for what as far as Vietnam visa issuance, and who can get a visa to enter Vietnam, and for how long.

Of the 26 articles, the accompanying chosen articles will assist you with seeing how and why a travel service can legitimately help you in getting a visa Approval Letter.

Article 2.

1. Vietnamese offices and associations, Vietnam - based unfamiliar offices and associations just as global associations, Vietnamese residents, and outsiders legally dwelling in Vietnam may welcome outsiders into Vietnam.
2. Offices, associations, and people that welcome outsiders into Vietnam will need to guarantee consistency with outsiders' entrance purposes, guarantee monetary matters, and help out the state bodies to settle emerging issues for outsiders.

Article 5.

1. Offices, associations, and people that welcome outsiders into Vietnam will send their composed solicitations to the passage and leave the executive office of the Ministry of Public Security or the consular office of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
2. A composed solicitation will be answered within close to 5 working days after the receipt of the solicitation.

Article 6.

1. Outsiders applying for passage will be allowed visas at Vietnam's worldwide line doors in the accompanying cases:
   1. They enter for burial services of their family members, for visits to their sick family members;
   2. They withdraw from nations where Vietnamese conciliatory missions and additionally offices are not accessible;
   3. They enter for visits under projects coordinated by global visit endeavors of Vietnam;
   4. They enter to offer dire specialized help for programs, projects; to give emergency treatment to genuinely sick people, mishap casualties; to give salvage to survivors of catastrophic events and plagues in Vietnam;
   5. For other critical reasons.
2. The exit and passage of the board organization of the Ministry of Public Security will give visas as endorsed in Clause 1 of this Article.

Vietnam Public Holidays in 2022

• January 1- Western New Year's Day
• February - Vietnamese Lunar New Year
• 21 April - Hung Kings Temple Festival
• 30 April - Reunification Day
• 1 May - International Labor Day
• 19 & 20 August - Vietnam Public Security System Foundation Day
• 2 & 3 September - National Independence Day

Please note: The Vietnam Immigration Department is closed during public holidays.