Vietnam visas Overview

Many visitors to Vietnam will have to obtain an entry visa to our country before they arrive. In almost all cases the process is very straightforward.

In the majority of instances, you will be able to get these at land border crossings or at airports. At other times they will need to be obtained before leaving your country of residence – see below.

If you are obtaining your visa at any land border:

Remember to have an original copy of the approval letter of visa on arrival with you. As well, you should have a several passport photos with you, taken recently and of a good likeness. You will need to pay for the visa stamping in US$.

If you are applying for your visa before leaving for your trip:

You will be doing so with the relevant embassy in your country of residence. Your consultant at Chapi Tours will be able to help you with this process.

Try not to leave your visa enquiries to the very last moment. This can prove to be very costly and at times may be irresolvable.

Is an entry visa required for Vietnam?

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Vietnam for a maximum stay of 15 days: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy (plus nationals of a few Asian and Scandinavian countries). 

NB: This visa exemption is only for single-entry arrivals from the 1st July 2015 to the 30th June 2016 which is a test period being offered by the Vietnamese Government. The Vietnam immigration authorities have yet to confirm if the exemption will be extended for travel from 1st July 2016 onwards and we will update this information as soon as we are aware of the situation.

For all other nationalities and anyone staying longer than 15 days, a visa is required. Your visa must be arranged in advance of travelling to Vietnam. Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States require a visa to visit Vietnam. The standard tourist visa is a single entry visa that allows you to travel in Vietnam for up to 90 days from the date of your entry.

All other nationalities should check with the Vietnamese Embassy in their country of residence or with our consultant.

Can the visa be arranged on arrival?

Yes, you can!

• If you are arriving into Vietnam by air, Chapi Tours can arrange an approval letter of visa-on-arrival for you. Preparations for this must be made in advance of travel. Scan copy of the visa letter is workable
• If you arriving into Vietnam at a land border, such as when travelling into Vietnam from Cambodia along the Mekong River, you must obtain your visa in advance of your departure from the Vietnamese Embassy – you cannot use the visa on arrival authorisation service if you do not have an original copy of the approval letter of visa on arrival.

What is required to arrange the visa?

• Approval letter of Visa-on-arrival: Please click here for more details of how to apply via Chapi Tours.
• The Vietnamese Embassy: If you apply your via at Vietnamese Embassy, you must deliver your passport to the Embassy, collecting it no sooner than five working days later. You can post your passport and application form to save you the journey (it is essential you use a recorded delivery service) and the embassy will also return your passport and visa by post if required, although they charge an additional fee per person to cover the cost of the recorded delivery.

You will need one clear page (per visa) in a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your