Your passport to adventure
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PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
Visas are required for many nationalities of travellers to Vietnam, except for nationals of about 24 countries, who are exempt from obtaining a visa. Those who require a visa have several options available to them. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy for you.
We are always available to answer questions and provide info, but please note that obtaining the correct visa for visiting any of our destinations, and carrying a valid passport is the responsibility of the traveller. The best way to ensure you have accurate, up-to-date visa information is to contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country.
In the guide below, you will find:
Visas for Vietnam can be obtained in one of three ways: e-Visa, visa on arrival, or visa in advance from your Vietnamese consulate or embassy.
Nationals of some countries can apply and pay for an e-Visa online instead of obtaining a visa on arrival or in advance. An e-Visa application will generally take about 3 working days to process, but it's safer to apply well in advance before you travel. An e-Visa will be valid for 30 days from the date of entry.
This is a good option and provides reassurance for cautious travelers that their visa is already in place, plus protection against last-minute rule changes by the Vietnamese authorities which may impact on visa-on-arrival options. It does not save you much time on arrival though.
Visit e-Visa for more information and to check if you are eligible for an e-Visa, and to apply. You will need the following in order to apply for an e-Visa:
Be sure you save the registration number that you are given after submitting your application. You will need it to access the visa after it has been processed. You may download it after three working days from e-Visa.
Print our 2 copies and take them with you when you depart for Vietnam.
Please note: Not all countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa. Please confirm that you are eligible for one. Citizens of countries that are eligible include Australia, Canada, China, India, the UK, and the USA.
Travellers from many countries can obtain a visa on arrival in Vietnam. These visas are generally valid for either one or three months, depending on the type you choose. This is a simple and quick way to obtain a visa and many of our travellers do it this way. Our representative meets you before you get to the passport control desks, so can advise you of the process and often help you find the quickest queue.
You have to complete an online application before travelling, in order to obtain a visa on arrival in Vietnam. You will receive a Visa Approval Letter, which you must take with you; a visa will be stamped on your passport on arrival. Visit Vietnam Visa in order to apply for the Visa Approval Letter.
Holders of this kind of visa are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of 5 international airports in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City.
Important: This option is only valid for travellers arriving by air, NOT overland or via ship/boat.
Countries whose nationals may obtain a visa on arrival include Britain, the EU, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
*Important: nationals of some countries are not able to obtain a visa on arrival in Vietnam. Visas must be obtained in advance. Please confirm if your country falls into this category.
You can also obtain a visa from the Vietnamese consulate or embassy in the country of your residence. This is the most time-consuming and expensive of the three options, but is the only route available for some nationalities, and is also suitable for people who want the peace of mind of having the visa stamped in their passport before they start travelling.
Applications must be made to the Vietnamese consulate or embassy in your country. Please contact them to determine the exact details of what is required to apply for your visa, as these may differ for each country. As a general guide, you will need:
You may want to use a visa agency to assist with the process, and they will ensure you complete the right form(s) and fill them in correctly. They will charge a fee for this service, though. You will be without your passport for anything from one week to a month or even more, depending on processing times at the embassy. This option is not suitable for last-minute travellers.
A valid passport is required in order to acquire a visa for Vietnam. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you return home (not six months after you leave home to start your holiday). Please also ensure that your passport has enough free pages for visa stamps (two blank pages are generally enough unless you are visiting other countries on your tour as well).
Visa information for selected regions
USA nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also suitable for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnam Embassy in Washington for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
UK citizens do not require a visa for Vietnam. This applies for stays of up to 15 days and provided that their arrival date does not fall within 30 days from the exit date of their last stay in Vietnam with visa exemption. This policy is valid until June 30, 2021. Please ensure that you have a valid passport with sufficient blank pages. If you intend to stay in Vietnam for more than 15 days, please apply for a tourist visa before you leave. You can contact the Embassy of Vietnam in London for assistance:
Australian nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also eligible for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
Canadian nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also suitable for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Embassy of Vietnam in Ottawa for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
Citizens of EU countries are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also eligible for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnamese consulate or embassy in your particular country for assistance.
Indian nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also eligible for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy in New Delhi for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
Chinese nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are also eligible for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
South African nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in Vietnam (please see the procedure above). They are not eligible for e-Visas. Alternatively, they may apply in advance. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Pretoria for assistance or to apply for your visa in advance:
Visa information is correct at the time of publishing. However, visa information is subject to change at any time by the local authorities and it remains the traveler's responsibility to ensure that they travel with the correct visa.
Encounters Travel accepts no liability if you are not able to enter the country because you do not have the correct visa or are not able to obtain one on arrival. It is highly recommended that you verify information specific to you with your embassy or consulate before confirming travel plans.
This 2-week Vietnam and Cambodia tour visits the regional highlights which have drawn tourists for many years, including Hanoi, Halong Bay, colonial Hoi An, the Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat. We also include 2 overnight home-stays.
Type
Days
Price
Small Group
16
From
$2945
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