Vietnam Tourist Visa

Updated on Aug 15, 2023 | Vietnam e-Visa

A Vietnam tourist visa is something you should keep in mind if you are planning a vacation there because failing to obtain one could seriously jeopardize your trip.

Due to this, we would like to assist you by providing complete information regarding this sort of Vietnam visa, including:

  • What does a Vietnam tourist visa entail?

  • Who is eligible to travel to Vietnam without a visa?

  • types of Vietnam tourist visas?

  • Wh

    Visa requirements for visitors to Vietnam?

  • How to obtain a tourist visa for Vietnam, costs, and processing times

  • How is a tourist visa for Vietnam extended?

Let's get into a little more detail now.

What is a tourist visa for Vietnam?

One of the most common forms of Vietnam visas is the tourist visa (DL). It is a formal document or stamp that grants permission for travel and leisure purposes into Vietnam. Some travelers sometimes refer to it as a travel visa, visiting visa, or vacation visa.

Holders of tourist visas are not permitted to work or conduct business while they are in Vietnam.

Vietnam Visa Online is an electronic travel authorization or travel permit to visit Vietnam for a period of time upto 30 days for travel or business purposes. International visitors must have a Vietnam Visa Online to be able to visit Vietnam . Foreign citizens can apply for an Vietnam Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Vietnam Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.

READ MORE:
Vietnam e-Visa (Vietnam Visa Online) is a required travel authorization for travelers visiting Vietnam for business, tourism or transit purposes. This online process for electronic Visa for Vietnam was implemented from 2017 by the Government of Vietnam, with the goal of enabling any of the future eligible travelers to apply for an e-Visa to Vietnam. Learn more at Online Vietnam Visa.

Who can visit Vietnam without a tourist visa?

In accordance with bilateral and unilateral agreements, several nations are free from the Vietnam tourist visa requirement.

The following situations qualify for Vietnam tourist visa exemptions (waivers):

  • Belarus (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Brunei (no tourist visa needed for up to 14 days in Vietnam)

  • Cambodia (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • Chile (no tourist visa needed for up to 90 days in Vietnam)

  • Denmark (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Finland (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • France (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Germany (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Indonesia (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • Italy (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Japan (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Kyrgyzstan (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • Laos (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • Malaysia (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • Myanmar (no tourist visa needed for up to 14 days in Vietnam)

  • Norway (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Philippines (no tourist visa needed for up to 21 days in Vietnam)

  • Panama (no tourist visa needed for up to 90 days in Vietnam)

  • Russia (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Singapore (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • South Korea (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Spain (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Sweden (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

  • Thailand (no tourist visa needed for up to 30 days in Vietnam)

  • United Kingdom (excluding BNO) (no tourist visa needed for up to 15 days in Vietnam)

No tourist visa is required for those who arrive in Phu Quoc directly from another nation, remain there for no longer than 30 days, and then depart from Phu Quoc for another nation.

Vietnam Visa Exemption countries

As of January 2022, regular passport holders of 25 countries DO NOT need a visa for Vietnam. Here is the full list of Vietnam visa-free countries:

No.

Country

Maximum visa-free duration

Applicable purpose of visit (if any)

1

Chile

90 days

Entries that do not include remunerated activities

2

Panama

90 days

Entries that do not include remunerated activities

3

Cambodia

30 days

Not mentioned

4

Indonesia

30 days

Not mentioned

5

Kyrgyzstan

30 days

Not mentioned

6

Laos

30 days

Not mentioned

7

Malaysia

30 days

Tourism, attending press, conference/coverage, official duty, visiting relatives, business negotiation, investment, sports, or attending seminars or conferences

8

Singapore

30 days

Entries that do not include remunerated activities

9

Thailand

30 days

Not mentioned

10

Philippines

21 days

Not mentioned

11

Brunei

14 days

Not mentioned

12

Myanmar

14 days

Visiting only

13

Belarus

15 days

Not mentioned

14

Denmark

15 days

Not mentioned

15

Finland

15 days

Not mentioned

13

France

15 days

Not mentioned

17

Germany

15 days

Not mentioned

18

Italy

15 days

Not mentioned

19

Japan

15 days

Not mentioned

20

Norway

15 days

Not mentioned

21

Russia

15 days

Not mentioned

22

South Korea

15 days

Not mentioned

23

Spain

15 days

Not mentioned

24

Sweden

15 days

Not mentioned

25

United Kingdom (Not applicable to BNO)

15 days

Not mentioned

 

Types of tourist visas for Vietnam

Previously, there were 5 different categories of tourist visas for Vietnam:

  • One-month single entrance, 

  • one-month multiple entry, 

  • three-month single entry, three-month multiple entry, 

  • and one-year multiple entry visas are all available (for US Passport holders).

However, after Covid, only a 30-day single entry form of a tourist visa for Vietnam is available. As soon as the issuance of other tourist visa categories resumes, we'll keep you informed.

Vietnam's visa rules for tourists

Make sure the following before applying for a tourist visa for Vietnam:

  • Your passport contains blank pages and is still valid for at least six (6) months after the day you entered Vietnam;

  • Depending on how you applied for a visa to visit Vietnam, your hardcopy or digital copy of your visa photo;

  • A fully filled-out application for a tourist visa to Vietnam (on paper or online); and visa fees.

How can I obtain a tourist visa for Vietnam?

There are two ways to obtain a Vietnam tourist visa, which are as follows:

  • applying for a tourist visa to Vietnam both online, and 

  • at the embassy or consulate of Vietnam

1. Apply for a tourist visa for Vietnam online

There are two types of online applications for Vietnam tourist visas: Vietnam e-visas and on-arrival tourist visas are both available.

1.1 Request a Vietnam e-visa.

This type of Vietnam tourist visa is only available for citizens of 80 countries, consisting of: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders, not applicable to Chinese e-passport holders), Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, 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, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Salomons Islands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Western Samoa.

Why apply to us?

  • Fast and reliable processing: Depending on your preference, processing times range from 4 working hours to 2-3 working days.

  • All-included package price. No unforeseen fees.

  • 24/7 assistance.

REQUEST A VIETNAM E-VISA

 

READ MORE:
Foreign nationals without a valid working visa or temporary residence card who will be working with or for a company in Vietnam, attending a meeting or negotiation, or signing contracts will be granted a short-term business visa to Vietnam. Learn more at Vietnam Business Visa.

1.2 On arrival, apply for a tourist visa for Vietnam (VOA)

When applying for a Vietnam tourist visa on arrival, applicants must first submit an online application for a letter of approval before going to the airport to get their visas stamped.

Before Covid, this type of tourist visa for Vietnam was available for almost travelers, entering Vietnam via any of the 8 international airports of Vietnam (consisting of Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in HCMC, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang City, Can Tho in Can Tho City, Lien Khuong in Da Lat and Phu Quoc on Phu Quoc island).

But currently, we can only help certain travelers to get this type of visa for Vietnam valid for up to 25 days under the package to be detailed herein.

Our Vietnam visitor package includes coverage for: 

  • Letter of approval for a tourist visa to Vietnam,

  • and travel insurance for Vietnam.

Important information about this arrival-day tourist visa package:

  • The acceptance letter for the tourist visa to Vietnam takes 5 to 7 business days to process.

  • The US stamping charge must be paid at the airport in Vietnam.

  • By the time your visa expires, you must depart Vietnam.

  • Certain nationalities and countries that issue e-visas for Vietnam are not supported by this package.

2. Request a tourist visa at the Vietnam embassy.

Since the Covid 19 outbreak, this method of applying for a tourist visa has been suspended and has not yet been reinstated.

You might choose to apply at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate near you if you are not qualified for an eVisa, visa on arrival, or if you prefer to have the visa already in your passport when you enter Vietnam.

In this situation, you must locate the closest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate (you can see a list of Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates here) and then deliver the necessary paperwork there in person or via mail.

The procedure you might have to follow is as follows:

  • For advice on how to prepare the necessary documents, follow the steps they suggest and pay the costs, get in touch with the embassy where you plan to apply for the visa.

  • Prepare all the papers as instructed

  • To submit the necessary paperwork and make the required payment, go to the embassy.

  • Return to the embassy to pick up the passport and visa.

How may a Vietnam tourist visa be extended?

A Vietnam tourist visa cannot currently be extended in Vietnam. Many tourists decide to perform a visa run in order to stay in Vietnam after it expires.

The fee and length of processing may change based on the embassy or consulate.

 

READ MORE:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Vietnam Visa. Get answers to the most common questions about the requirements, important information and documents required to travel to Vietnam. Learn more at Frequently Asked Questions for Vietnam E-Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the process for obtaining a tourist visa for Vietnam the same at all Vietnamese embassies?

No. The process, necessary paperwork, turnaround time, and cost of obtaining a tourist visa at a Vietnamese embassy can differ from one embassy to another. If you wish to obtain the visa in this manner, kindly get in touch with the embassy directly for information.

What documentation must I provide when applying for a tourist visa to Vietnam upon arrival?

You must give us the following details in order for us to submit an approval letter for a Vietnam tourist visa (also known as a Vietnam travel visa):

  • Full name on your passport

  • Your birth date

  • Your nationality as per your passport

  • Your passport number

  • Dates of travel. They don't have to be precise; probable ones are acceptable.

My spouse is British and I am Canadian. Can we obtain a Vietnam tourist visa for a year?

You can't, sorry. Only US passports are currently eligible for a one-year tourist visa. You can only apply for a 1 or 3-month tourist visa if you are from another country.

Sponsor for Vietnam tourist visa: I cannot obtain a Vietnam e-visa. How can I obtain a travel visa for Vietnam?

A tour must be booked through a tour operator who will be in charge of your presence in Vietnam if you are not qualified for an electronic visa for Vietnam. We can also support you. Please feel free to reach out to us.

Can I get a tourist visa and work in Vietnam?

Not at all. While on a tourist visa, you are not permitted to work in Vietnam. Additionally, you will get into a lot of difficulties if you are discovered working illegally. As a result, you are warned against doing so.

Find a company prepared to request your work visa if you wish to work in Vietnam.

READ MORE:
Citizens of 80 countries are eligible for Vietnam Visa Online. The Vietnam Visa eligbility must be met to obtain the visa to travel to Vietnam. A valid passport is required for entry into Vietnam. Learn more at Tourist Eligible Countries for Vietnam Visa.


Check your eligibility for Online Vietnam Visa and apply for Online Vietnam Visa four (4) - seven (7) days in advance of your flight. British citizens, Australian citizens, French citizens, Spanish Citizens, Dutch Citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for Online Vietnam Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our Vietnam Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.