Vietnam Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

To enter Vietnam, a passport valid for at least one month after the visa expiration date is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.

Passport Visa Note

Make sure your passport has not been damaged in any way or you may be refused entry.

Visas

Visas for Vietnam are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except:

1. Nationals of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, who may visit without a visa for up to 15 days (inclusive of dates of entry and exit). This waiver program is valid from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019.

2. Nationals of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK may visit without a visa for up to 15 days (inclusive of dates of entry and exit). This waiver program is valid from 1 June 2015 to 30 June 2021.

For visits of up to 30 days, you can get an e-visa online before you travel. For visits of more than 30 days, visas must be obtained from the nearest Vietnamese embassy.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Vietnam.

Types and Cost

Tourist visa: fees vary according to the type of visa and length of stay and are regularly adjusted. Please contact the nearest embassy for up-to-date fee information.

Validity

Tourist visas are valid for 30 days or 90 days from the proposed date of entry depending on the type of visa granted.

Transit

Visas are not required for passengers in transit, provided they have an onward/return ticket, are continuing their journey within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area of the airport.

Application to

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

There are also a number of agencies offering a visa on arrival. You apply and pay for a letter of approval online through a commercial company and collect your visa on arrival at the airport (not at overland border crossings). These agencies usually charge an additional service fee. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK advises against obtaining visas using this method however, as it cannot verify the validity of the visas.

Temporary residence

Foreigners can take up temporary residence if they are invited to work in Vietnam by an organisation there. You must give details of the type of work and duration before a visa and temporary resident permit can be issued.

Working days

Allow three working days for visa processing. For an additional fee, a next-day service is available.

Extension of stay

You can extend tourist visas for up to a month and the best way to do this is through a travel agent in Vietnam. Rates vary depending on the agent used. Do not overstay your visa.

This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Vietnam

Telephone: +84 (0)24 3936 0500
Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-hanoi
Address: , Central Building, 4th Floor, , ,
Opening times:

Mon-Thu 0830-1230 and 1330-1645; Fri 0830-1230 and 1300-1500

US Embassy in Vietnam

Telephone: +84 (0)24 3850 5000
Website: https://vn.usembassy.gov/
Address: , 7 Láng Ha Street, , ,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri: 0800-1700

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the USA

Telephone: (202) 861 0737 or 202 716 8666 (consular section).
Website: http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/
Address: Suite 400, 1233 20th Street,NW, Washington, 20036,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 1000-1200 and 1400-1700

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the UK

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7937 1912
Website: http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/
Address: , 12 Victoria Road, London, W8 5RD,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (visa section).