Visa Options if You Are Planning a Leisure Trip to Vietnam

Planning to visit Vietnam this year? Then you are going to experience a trip mixed with scenic landscapes and bustling cities. You will have to start your trip planning by applying for a visa, such as a Vietnam tourist visa, for the country. 

This works like your travel permit. However, Vietnam doesn’t just offer one travel permit for the country. So, you need to understand the different visa options that the country offers to its tourists before you apply for one. 

Vietnam eVisa

Planning for an international trip can involve a whole lot of stress. This is exactly why most tourists of today tend to choose this option for their exploration. An eVisa or an electronic visa can be applied for from anywhere. Getting a Vietnam tourist visa online comes with an added layer of convenience, which is sought after by most travelers. 

Most countries are eligible to get this type of visa, and you can also check the list of eligible countries before you start applying for the permit yourself. The process involves a few simple steps, which follow: 

Fill in the application: Visit the portal for the visa application. Pick the application form and fill it out with accurate details about yourself and your trip. 

Upload documents: Add scanned copies of all the necessary documents like a valid passport (one with two blank pages and 6 months validity from the day of your return from the country), recent passport-sized photograph, bank statements, travel itinerary, return tickets, and anything else directed by the authority. 

Wait for approval: Pay the application fee through your debit or credit card. After this, you will be required to wait for 3 to 5 working days for the application to be processed. You will get the letter of approval in your email. 

Remember to get a few copies of it and bring them with you to the airport. However, if you face any delay then you will be required to contact the Helpdesk for further assistance. 

This one comes with a maximum validity of 90 days and can be both single entry and multiple entry. This is exactly why it is mostly applied by frequent travelers. This way, you can enter the country multiple times within the validity period without feeling any need to get a new visa. 

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Although most travellers do not opt for this option, Vietnam does have a visa option that can be applied for once you reach the country. Vietnam Visa on Arrival is mostly applied for by tourists who are visiting the country on short notice. These people prefer not to wait for the required visa application and processing, and try to get things on the go. 

To get this visa, you will be required to:

Step 1: Apply online for a pre-approval letter.

Step 2: Receive the letter in your mail and prepare the Vietnamese visa application form. 

Step 3: Present the letter, application form, valid passport, 2 passport-sized photographs and the fee required for the process to the officer in charge of the Vietnam Visa on Arrival counter at the Vietnam International Airport. 

However, remember that you will be required to get sponsorship from a tour operator in the visa approval letter if you are getting this for your leisure trip. On top of that, you should also remember that this type of visa is only available in airports like Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.  

Traditional Tourist Visa  

This is the oldest form of visa application and has been there ever since Vietnam opened its doors to international travelers. This Vietnam tourist visa is applied either through the Vietnamese embassy or consulate and involves you physically visiting the place.  

The steps for applying for this visa are:

• Visit the consulate or embassy located near you. 
• Reach the counter for the application process. 
• Fill out the application form and bring necessary documents like a valid passport, bank statements, travel itinerary, recent passport-sized photograph, and other things directed by the authority. 
• Pay the fee towards the visa application. 

Approval Time & Validity

After this, it will take around 7 to 10 days for the application to get approved. Once it gets approved, the visa will be automatically stamped on your passport and you will just have to collect that from the embassy in person. 

This visa has a 30-day validity. However, you only get to make one entry and exit after getting this visa. 

Special Entry Rules for Travelers Arriving by Land or Sea  

Travellers who are visiting Vietnam are also required to follow the same rules that are set for individuals traveling by flight. Individuals who are visiting the country by land are required to produce a valid passport during their visit. 

Other than that, they are also required to get a visa in advance, like that in case as an eVisa or a Vietnam Visa on Arrival with a pre-approval letter filled out in advance. Next, they are also required to fill out the immigration form depending on the border crossing. On the other hand, any traveler who is visiting the country by sea will be required to get a single entry visa for easily cruising between the ports in Vietnam. 

Most importantly, remember that Vietnam does issue a Vietnam Visa on Arrival for travelers who are arriving by sea. So, instead they will be required to get a loose-leaf visa. This one is issued on a separate paper and not stamped on your passport like other visas. 

Visa-Free Entry

Well, there are a few nationalities that do not require any of the above-listed visas. Instead, they just need to use their passport, and that is enough for them to enter the country.  

27 countries fall in the visa-waiver list for the country. However, they are only allowed this privilege on a fixed number of days. Some of these countries and their length of stay are:

• Belarus: 45 days
• Cambodia: 30 days
• Denmark: 45 days
• Brunei: 14 days
• Finland: 45 days
• Kazakhstan: 30 days
• France: 45 days.
• Italy: 45 days
• Germany: 45 days.
• Kyrgyzstan: 30 days
• Chile: 90 days
• Indonesia: 30 days.
• Myanmar: 30 days
• Malaysia: 30 days
• Japan: 45 days.
• Panama: 90 days
• Laos: 30 days.
• Russia: 45 days
• Sweden: 45 days
• Mongolia: 30 days.
• South Korea: 45 days
• Spain: 45 days
• Norway: 45 days.
• Thailand: 30 days
• Philippines: 21 days.
• Singapore: 30 days.

Tips for a Hassle-Free Visa Application

A visa application can seem like an easy process. However, it is still common for people to make a few mistakes during the process. These, in the end, create more issues in your application process and sometimes might also result in delays. Some of the things that you can do to eliminate all issues are:

Add proper details

The form fill-up step holds a lot of importance in the whole process. This is the step where you are required to add all accurate details related to yourself and your trip. So, naturally making any mistakes during this will definitely result in delaying the process. Check the form multiple times before submitting. 

Apply in advance 

Well, even after doing everything in the right manner, there’s still a chance that your application might get delayed. To be safe, apply for the visa at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance. This way, you get more time to effectively deal with any delays and eliminate any last-minute stress. 

Ready to know the different options for a Vietnam tourist visa? 

Planning a leisure trip to Vietnam starts with applying for the visa. But before one needs to understand the different types of visas offered by the country, like the Vietnam Visa on Arrival, eVisa, and traditional visa. This way, by understanding the basics, you get to simplify the rest of the path. 

However, if you still face any issues, then you will be required to contact the Helpdesk to effectively deal with the issue.