Vietnam is a stunning destination in Southeast Asia, with a rich history and culture. For travelers, there are several visa options available, including visa exemptions, e-Visas, and visas on arrival. Additionally, flights to Vietnam are available from major cities worldwide, and travelers can also reach Vietnam by train, bus, or boat. This guide provides a straightforward overview of visas and transportation for those planning to visit Vietnam.
Visa Exemption
The temporary residence period will be extended from 15 days to 45 days for citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam. This change will come into effect on August 15, 2023.
VIETNAM VISA EXEMPTION
| Area | Country | Term of residence | |
| Asia | Thailand | Up to 30 days | |
| Malaysia | Up to 30 days | ||
| Singapore | Up to 30 days | ||
| Indonesia | Up to 30 days | ||
| Cambodia | Up to 30 days | ||
| Laos | Up to 30 days | ||
| Philippines | Up to 21 days | ||
| Myanmar | Up to 14 days | ||
| Brunei | Up to 14 days | ||
| South Korea | Up to 45 days | ||
| Japan | Up to 45 days | ||
| Kyrgyzstan | Up to 30 days | ||
| Area | Country | Term of residence | |
| Europe | Russia | Up to 45 days | |
| Sweden | Up to 45 days | ||
| Denmark | Up to 45 days | ||
| Finland | Up to 15 days | ||
| Norway | Up to 45 days | ||
| UnitedKingdom | Up to 45 days | ||
| France | Up to 45 days | ||
| Germany | Up to 45 days | ||
| Spain | Up to 45 days | ||
| Italy | Up to 45 days | ||
| Belarus | Up to 45 days | ||
| South America | Chile | Up to 90 days | |
| Central America | Panama | Up to 90 days | |
TIP: All nationalities traveling directly to Phu Quoc Island, located in Kien Giang province, Vietnam, can visit the island for 30 days visa-free. To do this you will need to show an outbound ticket on arrival in Vietnam.
Notes on visa exemptions:
- Spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens are allowed to stay in the country without a visa for six months and must show papers proving their eligibility. For full requirements, please visit this link.
E-Visa
Travelers can apply directly for e-Visas here: Vietnam e-Visa Official Website
Vietnam’s E-visa is valid for up to 90 days (come into effect on August 15, 2023), takes three working days to process from receipt of documents and payment, and costs 25 USD. You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country’s eight international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang, as well as 14 land crossings and seven seaports.
Vietnam’s e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau passports), Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama (updated: 90-day visa-free entry for all citizens of Panama), Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Salomon Islands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Western Samoa.
Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese, who hold valid permanent or temporary residence cards, visas, and visa exemption certificates, can enter Vietnam in accordance with the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam without having to obtain prior approval from relevant Ministries, sectors, and local authorities or undergoing pre-clearance procedures at the Immigration Department. ( In accordance with directions stated by Permanent Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh in the Government Office’s Document No. 450/VPCP-QHQT dated January, 18th, 2022) until further notice. For further information, please check at Vietnam Immigration Department Website.
What is Vietnam’s e-Visa?
Vietnam’s e-Visa is one of several visa types offered by the Vietnam Immigration Department to foreigners entering the country. The e-Visa is valid for 90 days (come into effect on August 15, 2023), and single entry only. The e-Visa costs 25 USD for card payments. It requires three full working days to process. Vietnam’s e-Visa is available to nationals of 80 countries.
How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa:
Step 1: Prepare the required materials:
- One 4×6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses
- One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit
- Debit or credit card for payment
Step 2: Click this link or access www.immigration.gov.vn and go to ‘E-visa Issuance’ then click on the link for ‘Outside Vietnam foreigners’.
Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form.
Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided.
Step 5: Within three working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, you can also run a search for your e-Visa at this link.
Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety.
TIP: Travelers with an e-Visa can go directly to immigration counters at their point of entry and do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters.
Where to Download Your Vietnam e-Visa
After applying for your e-Visa online, you’ll need to wait three working days for your visa to be released. After three days, you may search for your visa at at this link.
Enter your registration code, email, and date of birth to gain access to your visa. Download the .pdf file and print your e-Visa in two copies for safety when traveling. If three working days have passed and your visa is still unavailable, email Vietnam’s e-Visa Support at this page.
How to Use Your e-Visa in Vietnam
Your e-Visa is valid for entry at any of 33 international checkpoints within the country, including eight international airports. For the full list of airports, seaports and border crossings where the e-Visa is accepted, please click here.
Upon arrival in Vietnam, submit your passport and your printed e-Visa at the immigration counter.
TIP: Keep your printed e-Visa to show on departure.
Common Questions about e-Visas
– Can I get an extension on my 90-day e-Visa?
Yes, but this can only be done from within Vietnam.
– Can I enter Vietnam after the entry date on my application?
Your visa is valid from the start to end dates specified. You can enter the country any time within those dates.
– Do I need to queue at the Visa on Arrival counter in Vietnam?
You do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters. You can bring your printed e-Visa and passport directly to the immigration counter.
Visa on Arrival
If you are planning a multiple-entry visit or a stay of more than 30 days, you will want to apply for a visa on arrival. To do this you’ll need:
- A 4×6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses
2. A filled-out visa application form
3. A passport or substitute ID valid for six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam
4. Payment (25 USD to 50 USD) for visa fees, and
5. A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you are picking up your visa at the airport)
If you are near a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you can submit your photo, application form, passport, and visa fee in person. This website will guide you through the process.
If you are unable to reach a Vietnamese embassy, or are short on time, there are trusted services online who can provide you with a valid Letter of Approval for a fee. Bring this letter and together with a visa application form and your other documents to the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport when you land.
TIP: You will need to pay your visa stamp fee in USD or Vietnamese Dong on arrival at the airport.
Apply for Visa on Arrival through the travel agent
This is an alternative way to get your visa for Vietnam. There are many online travel agents where you can apply online for your visa.
Customers will have to deal with a travel agency who will forward the applications over to the immigration office, the rest of the conditions need to be verified and pre-approved by Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad.
Note: Visa on arrival can be used for air travel only. If you are arriving by land or cruise, you are required to contact the local embassy to obtain a full Visa before you go.
What is the “approval letter”?
The “Visa approval letter” is a document (approved by the Immigration Office) that allows you to enter and exit Vietnam for a given time period. With the approval letter, you can pick up your visa upon arrival at one of the three international airports in Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang City – Cam Ranh Airport and Da Nang).
How to apply
You need to submit your application form online with one of the travel agents providing visa-on-arrival service, pay the service fee.
Within 3 – 5 working days, you will receive an approval letter – which you show at Vietnam airport and collect the visa stamp.
Upon arrival at Vietnam’s airport in Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, or Ho Chi Minh Airport, expect to fill in a simple form, present your approval letter, passport, 2 passport photos, and pay the stamping fee. You will receive the visa stamp into your passport issued by the Immigration Office.
The stamping fee is now 25 USD for a single entry and 50 USD for multiple entry.
Please note that the wait time at the airport can be long. You will have to wait in line from 15-30 minutes to get your visa stamp, though the traffic depends on where you are flying from and on what day.
Flights to Vietnam
Latest Updates about International Flights to Vietnam.
Currently, there are 20 countries offering international flights to Vietnam including Cambodia, Hong Kong (China), Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Laos, China, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, USA
Airlines in Vietnam, which are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Pacific Airlines, are offering international flights to other countries, including United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines, Australia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and India…
Also, international airlines already start to flight to Vietnam again with the following current flight frequencies:
Japan: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways
- Tokyo – Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh: flight everyday
South Korea: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines
- Seoul – Hanoi: around 9 flights per week
- Seoul – Ho Chi Minh: flight everyday
Taiwan: China Airlines, Eva Air, Starlux
- Taipei – Hanoi: around 7 flights per week
- Taipei – Ho Chi Minh: around 10 flights per week
Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Asia
- Singapore – Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi: flight everyday
Malaysia: Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia
- Kuala Lumpur – Hanoi: flight everyday
- Kuala Lumpur – Ho Chi Minh: 7 flights per week
Thailand: Thai Smile, Thai Airways
- Bangkok – Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh: flight everyday
Qatar: Qatar Airways
- Doha – Hanoi: 5-6 flights per week
- Doha – Ho Chi Minh: 5-6 flights per week
UAE: Emirates
- Dubai – Hanoi: 4-5 flights per week
- Dubai – Ho Chi Minh: 4-5 flights per week
All international and domestic flights in Vietnam have resumed normal.
How to travel from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Latest Updates about Domestic Flights in Vietnam
Latest All domestic flights in Vietnam have resumed normal.
Flight to Vietnam
There are 22 airports in Vietnam: 11 domestic and 11 international. The three main gateways are Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (HAN), Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Da Nang International Airport in Danang (DAD).
Tan Son Nhat and the Da Nang airport have domestic terminals within walking distance from the international terminal. Hanoi’s domestic terminal is a short ride from the international terminal.
Most countries have direct flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Travelers can also fly directly into Da Nang from destinations around the region.
Getting to Vietnam by Bus or Train
New routes and services are making it easier every day to reach Vietnam from neighboring countries of China, Laos, and Cambodia. Travelers entering Vietnam this way will want to make sure they have their visas ready beforehand, as there are no Visas on Arrival at land crossings within Vietnam.
China
There are direct trains between Hanoi (the only point of rail departure for China within Vietnam) and Beijing via the Dong Dang border, with stops at Nanning and Guilin. From Hanoi, the train departs every Tuesday and Friday at 6:30 pm with a total traveling time of 42 hours. You can book your tickets from Hanoi in advance through reputable online services such as Bao Lau or SinhTourist.
Laos
There are local bus companies in Laos touting cheap fares to Vietnam, but we recommend using an international bus service running from Savannakhet or Vientiane to Hanoi, Hue, Vinh, or Da Nang. These direct lines will help you avoid the difficulties that sometimes arise with local bus agents. It’s also possible to get a bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, but the ride can run up to 24 hours, much of it on rough roads.
Cambodia
A number of public buses and express shuttles ply the route between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City every day, via the Moc Bai border. Modern buses outfitted with air-conditioning make for a more pleasant trip, so try to find one that looks well maintained or spring for one of the modern express shuttles such as Sapaco Tourist or Mekong Express. The ride is usually six hours long. Be sure to have your visas for Vietnam ready before you reach the border.
Getting to Vietnam by Boat
For those looking for a fun route, a boat trip through the Mekong Delta makes for an enjoyable and scenic entry into Southern Vietnam. Tour agencies in Phnom Penh and in Vietnam can arrange boat trips from Cambodia into the country. You can expect to pass through one of two crossings — Vinh Xuong or Tinh Bien — along the way. Trips usually end in Can Tho, about 170 km from Ho Chi Minh City.
Sources: vietnam.travel, baochinhphu.vn
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