Essential Information on Vietnam Tourist Visa for Travelers

Vietnam is a beautiful S-shaped land with many famous and captivating landscapes. Each city, each region has destinations attracting millions of tourists from all over the world. But first, you will need a Vietnam tourist visa before exploring this beautiful country. Let Asia King Travel guide you through the visa application process by the article below!

Vietnam is a beautiful country with friendly people. Source: Luu Huong

What is a Vietnamese Tourist Visa

Vietnam tourist visa (abbreviated as DL) is issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism purposes only. It does not permit foreigners intending to work during their stay. Foreigners can choose between applying for an entry letter or an e-visa.

Vietnam tourist visa is ONLY for tourism purposes. Source: Vietnamvisavoa

A tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days. The number of entries allowed (single or multiple) depends on the specific visa type. Visa exemptions may apply based on bilateral agreements.

Single Visa and Multiple Visa

To better understand Vietnam visas, knowing more about single-entry and multiple-entry visas may be helpful. Most countries worldwide have regulations for these two distinct types of visas. Travelers can only apply for one visa type per trip.

Your visa type will dictate how many times you can visit Vietnam. Source: Vietnamnet

Single-entry visa: restricts you to one entry into the country under a validity period. Once you leave the country, you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter.

Multiple-entry visa: grants you unlimited times of entries within the visa's validity period. In Vietnam, each stay is limited to a maximum of 30 consecutive days.

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Types of Vietnam Tourist Visa

E-Visa

• A type of Vietnamese visa issued electronically.
• Travelers from all countries and territories can apply for an e-visa directly through the Vietnam Immigration Department web portal.
• The current regulation allows for EV validity to be 30 or 90 days.

 Applying for a Vietnamese e-visa is the most common and fastest way nowadays

Entry Letter

• A document for foreigners participating in tours organized by international travel agencies in Vietnam.
• The travel agency will be responsible for applying for visas for foreign tourists. 
• Tourists will receive their tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam.
• The validity period for visas is typically 30 or 90 days.

Travel agencies will take care of tourists' entry letters

Visa on Arrival

• An alternative and convenient way to get a visa upon landing in Vietnam.
• Travelers must fill out an online application form before the trip to get permission to enter the country.
• This visa typically permits a single 30-day stay but individuals can modify it to meet their needs.

Visa on Arrival is an alternative way for anyone struggling with the common visa application process. Source: Vietnamvisavoa

Vietnam Tourist Visa Requirements

Tourists when applying for a Vietnam visa must meet the following requirements. Their passports must be valid for at least 6 months and contain at least 2 blank pages. They are eligible to enter according to Vietnamese law. Furthermore, they must provide evidence of their intent to visit for tourism. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need:

• Visa application form.
• Passports with more than 6 months in valid and 2 blank visa pages.
• Two 4x6 centimeters portrait photos of the applicant, clear frontal face. Photos were taken under 6 months.
• Hotel or Accommodation booking evident.
• Round-trip plane ticket.
• Traveling schedule.

Please make sure your visa application is complete and accurate. Source: Times of India

Step-by-Step to Apply Vietnam Tourist Visa

Procedures for e-visa

• Step 1: Access the Vietnam Immigration Department website and enter the information required for an e-visa application. Complete all required fields on the visa application form accurately. Upload a passport photo and a portrait photo.
• Step 2: Pay the e-visa fee via international payment methods or a bank account.
• Step 3: Check the e-visa application results. Use the electronic application code to check the application status. If approved, download and print documents to receive the entry visa for Vietnam.

The website has clear instructions

Procedures for Entry Letter

• Step 1: International travel agencies in Vietnam will facilitate the visa sponsorship process for foreign tourists. Native immigration authorities will assess applications.
• Step 2: After receiving the entry letter, travel agencies will forward it to the tourist to obtain a tourist visa as per the previously registered information.
• Step 3: Tourists opting for visa collection at the embassy should present their passports. If they register at the border gate, they will receive their visas during the immigration procedures.

Procedures for Visa on Arrival

• Step 1: Complete the online Vietnamese Visa Application and pay the service fee, similar to applying for an e-visa.
• Step 2: You will receive the visa approval letter and immigration declaration form via email within 2-3 working days. You need to print out both documents and complete the declaration form in full.
• Step 3: On arrival at a Vietnamese International Airport, go to the Visa on Arrival counter. Present your visa approval letter, completed immigration declaration form with a photo, and passport. Pay the stamping fee to have your visa affixed to your passport.

Visa fees and processing time

The fee for a Vietnam tourist visa depends on the visa type you choose. A single-entry visa costs USD 25, while a multiple-entry visa costs USD 50. This fee applies to both e-visas and visa entry letters. Extra fees may apply for additional services.

Prepare your Vietnam tourist visa application in advance to avoid any rush. Source: Vietnam Legal

The processing time to get a visa will also differ based on the method and may be influenced by Vietnamese and international holidays. E-visas generally take 3-5 working days to process, while visas collected at the airport may take 5-7 working days.

Visa Exemption

Visa-free entry is granted to citizens of certain countries based on bilateral or unilateral agreements with Vietnam. The duration of visa-free stays varies depending on the specific agreement, usually 30 or 45 days.

Travelers exempt from visas do not need to pay visa fees or go through the standard visa application process. Currently, citizens from 22 countries are eligible for visa-exempt entry to Vietnam.

Visa-free countries: Brunei, Myanmar, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Belarus, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy. (Only valid to 14th March 2025 for non-South East Asia countries.)

Southeast Asia's reciprocal visa exemptions make multi-country travel more accessible. Source: MFAIC Cambodia

Extend Vietnam Tourist Visa

At present, Vietnamese regulations do not permit extensions for tourist visas. These certificates have a specific validity period and you cannot renew them. To extend your stay, you must leave the country and apply for a different type of visa that aligns with your purpose of visit.

Staying for more than 3 months for tourism seems unreasonable. This regulation aims to strictly manage foreigners’ entry, exit, and stay in the country. It also maintains public security and prevents illegal activities.

Avoid individuals claiming they can extend your visa without official confirmation, it is likely a fraud. Source: travelobiz

Conclusion

Don't let visa complications hold you back from dreaming of a Vietnam holiday. Start your journey today with Asia King Travel’s help. Contact us now to get any information about your tourist visa and make a perfect trip!

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