Where To Apply For Visa To Vietnam?

The beautiful peninsular country of Vietnam awaits your curious eyes. Are you very hyped up to visit Vietnam, but don’t know where to start? Worry not, we are here to help you to apply for Visa to Vietnam. 

There are many ways that you can choose to apply for a Visa to Vietnam. While the most convenient method is electronic-Visa or e-Visa, many tourists get their Visa through the Vietnam embassy too. The Vietnam consulates and embassy have all the provisions to help you get a Visa to explore Vietnam. 

The quintessential landscapes and the rich history and culture make Vietnam one of the most visited Southeast Asian country. Vietnam is the perfect amalgamation of street food cuisine combined with stunning scenic views. Still not clear on where to apply for Visa to Vietnam? Let’s read on ahead to find out more! 

What are the different ways to apply for a Vietnam Visa?

If you’re interested in traveling to Vietnam for business or recreational purposes, you need to get the appropriate Visa. Choosing the correct Visa type for travel is important. The only difficult aspect of the whole process is the application process for Visa.

Many people get confused and don’t know which way to go to get their Vietnam Visa. While the process for applying for a business Visa and tourist Visa is the same, there is some difference in the documents attached. 

Let’s go over each method in detail so that you can decide on which method to apply for a Vietnam Visa. 

Electronic Visa before Departure

Citizens of first-world countries or developed nations like the UK, USA, Ireland, and most of Western Europe can apply for an e-Visa to visit Vietnam. This e-Visa is usually valid for 30 days.

The application for an electronic Visa is fairly easy. You can do the entire process online from the comfort of your home. Electronic Visa for Vietnam is popular among regular businessmen and tourists.

The e-Visa process is simple. However, there are specific entry and exit points that you have chosen at the time of applying. Additionally, electronic Visas are valid only for single entry trips. 

The processing time of the e-Visa for Vietnam is also why it is preferred over the other methods. It takes around three working days for your Vietnam Visa application to be processed. There is a one-time payment that you need to make at the time of the application, which will not be refunded if your Visa application is rejected. 

If you’re a safe traveler and want to plan your trip to Vietnam, then you would want everything in place before you leave. This is where the electronic Visa for Vietnam comes into place. By applying online for an electronic visa, you’ll be getting your Visa approval before you depart to Vietnam. 

Visa on Arrival through Travel Agency 

Another preferred method by independent travelers or frequent flyers to Vietnam is Visa on arrival. You can employ the help of third party agents like a reputed travel agency or a tour operator who can guide you through the process of Visa on arrival. 

Typically your third-party agent will be based in Vietnam. They will issue you a visa approval letter, which will allow you to board your flight to Vietnam. The agent will have their commission and service costs, and the amount varies depending on the duration of your stay.

When you choose to go by the Visa on arrival method, you don’t bother with the hassle of the application process. You employ the help of agents to take over the application process and charge you a nominal fee for it. 

It might seem like a good option, but the costs can keep on stacking up. This is especially true as you have to pay money two times. First time to the travel agent and the second time when you arrive in Vietnam. The separate fee you pay the second time is after the Vietnam immigration has stamped the Visa on your passport. 

So, if you go to see, the costs are just adding up when you opt for Visa on arrival method. Additionally, the Immigration Control at Vietnam will only accept USD as the currency for the stamping fee. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that Visa on arrival is only valid at the following international airports in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, and Nha Trang. 

Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate

If you have a lot of time to plan your trip to Vietnam, then this method might be the one or you. Applying through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate takes the most time to process your visa application. 

Vietnam visa processing takes around seven working days. Visa is the most important thing or the only thing you need to travel to Vietnam. However, if you rush the process, you might not get your application approved. Moreover, this will affect your travel plans drastically. 

Although, you can apply as early as six months in advance for a Vietnam visa. This makes your travel plans more efficient as you don’t have to wait until the eleventh hour to rush things. You will get your visa approvals well before you travel to Vietnam. 

So, if you have your travel plans laid out perfectly and want them to pan out well, this is the best option. You can apply for a Vietnamese visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, which has offices in your country.

The application fee usually varies depending upon the country. Therefore, it is advisable to check regarding that directly with the Vietnamese embassy, or consulate to which you are giving your application to. You can apply for a Vietnamese visa through email, post, or in-person.

What documents do you need for your Vietnam Visa application?

Before you apply for a Vietnamese visa, there are certain documents and passport validity that needs to be in order. Let’s go over the basic requirements that you need to process your visa application for Vietnam.

• The first thing you will need is your original passport. Make sure your passport is valid for six months from the date of entry into Vietnam. If you want a loose-leaf visa, then a copy of your passport is also sufficient.
• Two passport size ID photos of size 4x6cm or 2×2 inches. Make sure you are not wearing your prescription glasses in the photo. 
• Documents like application letter if you have opted for the Visa on arrival. 
• You should have adequate visa stamping fees in USD if you have applied for Visa on arrival. Make sure you have this before boarding your aircraft to Vietnam.
• If you’re applying for a business visa to Vietnam, then you will require a letter of support from your company or sponsor agency in Vietnam. 
• Take care to have all Visa application forms like NA2 form for Visa application at the embassy and other entry/exit forms for Visa on arrival. 

To Sum Up

We hope we have helped to address the main concerns when it comes to applying for a Vietnamese Visa. The underlying application process of all three methods is the same.

The mode that you choose depends on the type of Visa that you want (travel visa or business visa). Moreover, the way you apply for Visa also depends on how much time you have before you depart.

Make sure you keep all the required documents ready and have extra money for the stamping fee of your Visa. Hope you have a great experience visiting the land of the ‘Ascending Dragon’!