By now, you likely know that you need an entry visa to visit Vietnam. If you didn’t, I am here to inform you. I will try to explain how this often tedious process works as simply as possible.
First, we need to determine the type of trip you are taking—specifically, whether you will enter Vietnam only once or if you plan to travel through neighboring countries and return. The visa type will vary depending on the number of entries and the duration of your stay.
What are the ways to obtain a visa for Vietnam?
There are several ways to obtain a Vietnam visa.
- The first option is to send your passport to the Vietnamese embassy in your home country and wait an average of 5 business days for it to be returned with the official visa sticker. This process involves sending your physical passport by mail.
- There is also a visa exemption option: no visa is required and no fee needs to be paid if your stay is shorter than 15 days.
- We have another quite simple option: the visa on arrival.
Finally, there are also options for electronic visas and visas with a letter of invitation. Let’s review all the types.
Visa for Vietnam 2020
The Vietnamese government is becoming quite strict regarding visas, residence permits, and the entry and exit of tourists and foreigners, especially for long stays. A few years ago, it was relatively easy to obtain a 3-month visa for Vietnam, but regulations for long-term stays are changing as of July 1, 2020, and the visa exemption may disappear (though it remains in effect until June 30, 2021). Let’s take a look at the current state of affairs regarding visas for Vietnam.
Types of Visas for Vietnam
There are several visa options for Vietnam depending on the length of your stay.
Visa Exemption
If you are a Spanish citizen and will be in Vietnam for less than 2 weeks, you should know that there is a visa exemption for stays of less than 15 days. The documentation required to process the visa exemption is as follows.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry.
- Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages.
- You must have an onward flight or a hotel reservation abroad (if you plan to leave Vietnam by land) for a date no later than 15 days from the time of entry into the country.
- The visa exemption process means you do not have to pay any fees. Immigration officers will stamp your entry into the country free of charge.
Extending your visa-exempt stay for an additional 15 days
You can extend your stay in Vietnam for two more weeks if you entered under a visa exemption but later decide to stay in the country for a month. There are many agencies in the country that can handle the process, which takes an average of 4 business days. This procedure does have a cost, currently $40 (payable in local currency), and you will also need to leave your passport with the agency. You can take advantage of those days to travel around the area.
Electronic Visa for Vietnam
The electronic visa (e-visa) allows for a single entry and exit with a stay not exceeding 30 days. You can apply for the visa online if you are entering Vietnam through one of the main airports, as almost all of them accept the e-visa. If you plan to enter through a less-traveled border crossing, check if that checkpoint accepts online visas before applying. You can process your e-visa through the official Vietnamese government website. The process takes 3 business days and costs $25.
Vietnam Visa with Letter of Invitation
The visa on arrival can be obtained without issue once you land in Vietnam. However, you will need a previously processed letter of invitation. This letter authorizes you to obtain the visa upon arrival at your destination airport. The process is simple and much more economical. You will only need to fill out the entry form, provide a passport-sized photo, and pay the corresponding visa fee. This fee varies depending on the number of entries and the duration of the stay, although as of July 2020, it will only be possible to obtain visas with a maximum duration of 30 days.
How to Obtain Your Letter of Invitation
The letter of invitation to obtain your Vietnam visa can only be processed by a travel agency authorized by the Vietnamese government. At OneMoreDestination.com, we can handle the processing of the invitation letter for your entry visa. This service costs $15, which is in addition to the visa issuance fee. If you plan a trip with us, the cost of the invitation letter is on us.
This fee is paid directly at the Vietnam airport in cash, either in US dollars or Vietnamese dong. If you bring euros, you may encounter issues or be subject to an unfavorable exchange rate. I recommend bringing dollars for this transaction.
Note: The letter of invitation is only valid for air travel. If you plan to enter from Laos or Cambodia by land, this option is not valid as visas are not processed at land border crossings. In this case, you must have a previously issued visa.
Remember to check your passport: it must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into the country. If this requirement is not met, airport immigration will not process the visa, and you will automatically have to take the first flight back home.
