A Vietnamese visa is an official travel document issued by Vietnamese authorities, allowing foreign travelers to enter the country.
Electronic Visa (E-Visa)
Most visitors to Việt Nam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Việt Nam, tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days.
This can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad. Otherwise, you can get a visa at the border gates if you are invitees of some Vietnamese competent organs or you are travelling on a package tour organized by Vietnamese travel companies. To apply for a visa, the requirements are as follows:
Entry permit form
This can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another.
- Fill out the application form : https://evisa.gov.vn/
- Two photos (4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm)
- Original passport
- Visa fee.
You should send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address).
It is easier to get your visa from a Vietnamese travel agency, with these information below requested :
- Full name
- Birthday and place of birth
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Number of your passport
- Entry and exit dates
- Country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates
Vietnamese overseas are required to provide more information:
- Year and reason to leave Việt Nam
- Leave Việt Nam by means
- Full names and addresses of relations in Việt Nam
Important Notes
E-visa holders already in Vietnam may apply for a new visa if sponsored by a Vietnamese authority, organization, or individual. All foreign visitors must comply with Vietnamese laws during their stay.
Visa Exemption
As of February 6, 2009, Vietnam has signed 56 visa exemption agreements with 55 countries, with 54 currently in effect. Check the official visa exemption list for details on which countries qualify.
|
Order |
Country | Date of entry into force |
Categories of passports covered |
| 1 | Argentina | 13/11/1999 | Diplomatic passports, official passports |
| 2 | Albania | 1/10/1956 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports, Group Passports for official mission |
| 3 | Algeria | 02/01/1995 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 4 | Afghanistan | 26/2/1988 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 10/7/1999 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports for Vietnamese citizens
Diplomatic Passports, International Passports with “official” seal for Bangladesh citizens |
| 6 | Belarus | 24/11/1993 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 7 | Brazil | 12/2/2005 | Diplomatic passports |
| 8 | Brunei | 1/11/1997 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 9 | Bulgaria | 1/6/1966 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports; Group Passports or Ordinary Passports for official mission |
| 10 | Cambodia | 30/11/1979 | Diplomatic and Official passports; Diplomatic and Official Lassez-passezs |
| 11 | Chile | 25/6/2005 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 12 | China | 15/3/1992 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports, Ordinary Passports for official mission |
| 13 | Cuba | Currently in force | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports, Ordinary Passports for official mission, Seaman’s Passports for Vietnamese citizens
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports, Service Passports or Maritime Passports for Cuban citizens |
| 14 | Czech | 13/2/2000 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 15 | Dominica | 29/9/2007 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 16 | Ecuador | 29/9/2007 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 17 | France | 1/7/2005 | Diplomatic passports |
| 18 | Hungary | 1/8/1993 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 19 | India | 23/3/1995 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 20 | Indonesia | 19/9/1998
4/12/2003 |
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports
Ordinary Passports with valid periods of at least 6 months |
| 21 | Iran | 1/6/1994 | Diplomatic passports |
| 22 | Iraq | 1/12/2001 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 23 | Japan | 1/5/2005 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 24 | Kyrgyzstan | Currently in force | Diplomatic passports, Official passports, Ordinary Passports for official mission |
| 25 | Laos | 17/7/1977
05/3/2004 |
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports, Ordinary Passports for official mission,
Ordinary Passports with valid periods of at least 6 months |
| 26 | Malaysia | 25/11/2001 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports, Ordinary Passports |
| 27 | Mexico | 4/2/2002 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 28 | Moldova | 23/5/2003 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 29 | Mongolia | 6/2/2000 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 30 | Montenegro | 1/9/2000 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports, Special passports |
| 31 | Morocco | 19/12/2004 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports, Special passports |
| 32 | Mozambique | 9/2/2009 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 33 | Myanmar | 11/8/1998 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 34 | Nicaragua | Currently in force | Diplomatic passports, Official or Service passports |
| 35 | Pakistan | 2/3/2007 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 36 | Panama | 4/11/2002 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports for Vietnamese citizens
Diplomatic passports, Official passports, Special Passports, Consular passports |
| 37 | Democratic People’s Republic of Korea |
01/10/1956
01/4/1966 |
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports; Group Passports for official mission
Ordinary Passports for official mission |
| 38 | Peru | 2/6/2006 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports for Việt Namese citizens
Diplomatic passports, Special passports for Peruvian citizens |
| 39 | Philippines | 19/02/1997
16/2/1999
|
Diplomatic passports
Official Passports, Holders of Ordinary Passports having an invitation to join ASEAN activities organized by ASEAN Secretariat or Governmental agencies Ordinary Passports with valid periods of at least 6 months, together with return air tickets or air tickets for leaving the country |
| 40 | Paraguay | 26/10/2008 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 41 | Romania | 1/12/1956 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports; Group Passports or Ordinary Passports for official mission |
| 42 | Russia | 20/2/1994 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 43 | Serbia | 1/9/2000 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 44 | Singapore | 10/5/1997
01/12/2003 |
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports
Ordinary Passports with valid periods of at least 6 months, together with return air tickets or air tickets for leaving the country |
| 45 | Slovakia | 10/8/1992 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 46 | South Africa | 23/6/2007 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 47 | Republic of Korea | 13/1/1999 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 48 | Sri Lanka | 19/9/2003 | Diplomatic passports, Official passports |
| 49 | Thailand | 10/5/1997
9/7/2000 |
Diplomatic Passports, Official passports
Ordinary Passports |
| 50 | Tunisia | 20/1/2009 | Diplomatic Passports, Special passports |
| 51 | Turkey | 1/10/1998 | Diplomatic Passports |
| 52 | Ukraine | 6/12/1993 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 53 | Uruguay | 15/6/2008 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
| 54 | Venezuela | 17/11/2006 | Diplomatic Passports, Official passports |
All visa related questions can be found here : https://evisa.gov.vn/faq
Customs Regulations
Vietnam’s customs procedures are straightforward and efficient. All travelers must complete an arrival and departure declaration when entering or leaving the country.
Duty-Free Allowances
Visitors can bring in the following items duty-free:
- Alcohol: Up to 1.5 liters of liquor (over 22% alcohol) or 2 liters (below 22% alcohol).
- Tobacco: Up to 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 500 grams of raw tobacco.
- Other goods: Personal items worth up to VND 5,000,000 (~$200 USD).
If you carry more than these limits, you must declare your goods and pay duties per Vietnamese law.
Currency & Payment in Vietnam
The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Paper notes: 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100 VND.
Currency Exchange & Payments
Foreign currency and traveler’s checks can be exchanged at banks and licensed exchange offices.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are widely accepted, especially in major cities and tourist areas.
Vietnamese Dong can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival.
For more information on sponsoring or inviting foreigners to Vietnam, applications can be submitted through the official electronic system.
Note
Some foreigners may not be eligible for an E-visa (per Article 8 of Vietnam’s immigration law). In these cases, they must apply through the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For detailed visa policies and updates, visit the official Vietnamese Immigration website.
