DO I NEED A VISA TO GO TO VIETNAM?

While pottering around the wild landscapes and beautiful coastlines of Vietnam can bring a sense of inner peace, navigating the Vietnam visa requirements and regulations before a trip can be a real headache. To take some of the pain out of the planning process, here’s our comprehensive guide to the entry requirements for Vietnam in 2024.

Since August 2023, the immigration has finally set up an online platform from where almost all nationalities can apply online for an E-Visa Vietnam, saving time and money and visas are offered in 1 and 3 month, single and multiple entry.

No more covid test and you can visit without a Covid test or any proof of vaccination . Applying for a Vietnam tourist visa become much easier in 2024, with a government appointed portal to apply for an E-Visa. Here’s what you need to know about the entry requirements and getting a visa to enter Vietnam.

Who needs a visa to visit Vietnam?

Residents from a number of countries have visa exemption status for tourist visits to Vietnam. These generally fall into visa free entry for citizens of following Asian nationals for periods of 14 to 45 days visa exemption to enter Vietnam;

Nationals of Southeast Asia citizens, including Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, can stay for 30 days without a visa.

Citizens of the Philippines are the anomaly, which grants visa-free travel to Vietnam for 21 days.

Citizens of South-Korea and Japan can enter and stay for 45 days without needing to apply for a visa advance.

Citizens of Brunei and Myanmar can stay visa-free for 14 days.

Note → Visa free means citizens of above countries can travel and enter Vietnam and receive visa free upon arrival. If Following citizens wish to stay longer, they can simply apply for a longer stay visa for up to 3 month.

Do European travelers need visa for Vietnam?

If you are holding passport of one of the following countries, then there is a good news for you, according to the resolution 128/NQ-CP, effective from 15.Aug.2023 – Extending temporary stay duration from previous 15 days to 45 days – citizens of 13 European countries are exempted from visa requirements, meaning, they can enter Vietnam and receive 45 days upon arrival at any international borders and airports.

Citizens of Germany, Italy, France, Spain, UK, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Belarus, can travel visa-free for 45 days.

What Countries are eligible for Vietnam Visa Exemption?

Following is the list of countries that are eligible to Enter Vietnam without a need to apply for a vietnam visa → Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

Vietnam visa exemption→ Notes

→ The essential 30-day gap between 2 entries with visa exemption has been lifted according to the new visa policies applied since August 2023. So, being said, once your free visa duration about to end, simply exit and re-enter and enjoy the new visa free duration.

→ The visa-free stay starts from the date of entry.

→ Your passport must be valid for at least for 6 months from the date you enter in Vietnam. And, remember to check if your passport has at least 2 black page for the immigration stamp.

How to get Vietnam Visa if your country is not in the visa waiver / Exemption list?

If your country isn’t mentioned in the visa exemption list (Vietnam visa waiver ,or visa free), then, it means, you’ll need to apply for an e-visa and travel with an electronic visa. To apply, you’ll need to browse the government appointed visa website and fill out the related forms, upload your photo and pay the visa fee.

To apply and get an e-visa approval, you’ll need between 3-7 working days.

The alternative ways are to apply through the vietnam embassy / consulate in your home country, or apply it through a travel agency based in Vietnam.

Vietnam Visa for US (American) citizens

How to apply a Vietnam visa for US (United states) Citizens →

US citizens planning to visit Vietnam required to apply for a valid E-visa beforehand. Please note that American citizens are not eligible to receive a Vietnam Visa on arrival.

American passport holders, citizens of USA, can now easily apply for an e-visa through the government visa website, the visa fees are varies based on the length of stay, for the 1 month visa, the visa fee is US$25 and US$50 if you apply for a 3 month stay. Visas issued at single and or multiple entry.

Vietnam visa rules for Phu Quoc Island, what are the rules?

International travelers visiting Phu Quoc island, Vietnam’s palm-fringed island in the southern most – can stay for up to 30 days visa-free. This exemption applies even if you are not eligible from a visa-exempt countries. However, you should only enter Phu Quoc by air and upon arrival you’ll receive a 30 day visa. Proof of exit flight is also required.

Your passport must be valid for more than 6 month.

How much does a Vietnam visa cost?

Remember to apply through the official government visa portal, the visa prices are US$25 for the single entry and US$50 for the multiple entry. However, some travelers may fail to apply on the government website and choose to apply with a travel agent based in Vietnam, agents are offering urgent visa application for 1-2 days and sometimes within a day (if you’re lucky), and they charge anything up to US$100 or even more.

Top tips when applying for a Vietnam Visa

Whether you apply online or in person at the Vietnam embassy, or paying an extra to an agent to take care of your Vietnam Visa, the practicality is that your passport should be valid for at least six months and beyond after your intended date of EXIT from Vietnam. You can enter through any international check-point and airport on the exact date and or on or after the date of entry you declare once you applied for the visa, but you still should leave Vietnam by the expiry date printed on your e-visa.

You need to enter Vietnam exactly at the border, or airport you declared once you applied the visa, while exiting Vietnam from the different point will not be a problem at all.

Overstaying your visa results of paying fine and in some cases being blacklisted from the next entry. So, if you overstay, make sure you clear your visa status and the best way to do this, is to refer personally to the immigration office in Hanoi, Saigon or anywhere else in Vietnam and follow it up.

Foreigners with an e-visa for Vietnam are allowed to Enter  and Exit Vietnam via following crossing, check-points and international airports →

13 International Airports → Noi Bai (Ha Noi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang, Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Can Tho, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Phu Bai (Thua Thien Hue), Van Don (Quang Ninh), Tho Xuan (Thanh Hoa), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh), Lien Khuong (Lam Dong)

16 Land Border Crossing → Tay Trang (Dien Bien), Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), Huu Nghi (Lang Son), Lao Cai, Na Meo (Thanh Hoa), Nam Can (Nghe An), Cau Treo (Ha Tinh), Cha Lo (Quang Binh), La Lay and Lao Bao (Quang Tri), Bo Y (Kon Tum), Moc Bai and Xa Mat (Tay Ninh), Tinh Bien and Vinh Xuong (An Giang), Ha Tien (Kien Giang)

13 Sea Border Gates → Hon Gai & Cam Pha (Quang Ninh), Hai Phong, Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa), Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), Chan May (Thua Thien Hue), Da Nang, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), Vung Tau (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), Ho Chi Minh City, Duong Dong (Kien Giang)

Can I extend my visa in Vietnam?

Vietnam e-visas are NOT being extended, however, if you wish to stay in Vietnam for a duration beyond your visa validity, the only option is to leave country, exit and apply for another e-visa and follow the same process as you did once you applied for your first visa. Visas are available for 1 and 3 month stay in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, there are way too many incorrect information over internet saying you can extend your e-visa, the true answer is that YOU CAN NOT extend an e-visa based on the new regulation applied since 15.Aug.2023