VIETNAM VISA REQUIREMENTS
All Vietnam destinations are open. No self-isolation is required.
Here are key points of the new guidelines: visa + travel insurance are now accepted for entry.
Simple entry requirements:
1. Proof of valid medical/travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment. Minimum cover USD10,000.
2. Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app(Apple/Google Play) which must be presented to enter all VN establishments.
3. Visitors are requested to self-monitor for 10 days from entry and to notify the nearest medical facility should they experience signs of COVID-19.
4. Surgical masks, social distancing, and sanitizing are required at all times. Children under two are allowed outdoors when accompanied by adults.
VIETNAM VISA EXEMPTIONS
Travelers from the following nations might enter visa-free, and remain for the demonstrated number of days. The full rundown of nations with visa exceptions is beneath.
To remain past this number of days, you might apply for a visa augmentation upon your appearance in Vietnam.
Notes on visa exemptions:
- Citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian Federation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Belarus entering Vietnam for a sojourn of 15 days, counting from the date of entry, regardless of their passport types and entry purposes, provided they meet all the conditions prescribed by Vietnam’s law.
- In addition, the policy on entry visa exemption for citizens of the above-mentioned countries shall be implemented for 3 years from March 15, 2022, to the end of March 14, 2025, and will be considered for an extension in accordance with Vietnam’s law. For further details of Resolution 32/NQ-CP.
VIETNAM ELECTRONIC VISA (E-VISA)
Vietnam's e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau passports), 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, Montenegro, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Salomon Islands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Western Samoa.
You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country's eight international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang, as well as 14 land crossings and seven seaports.
How to apply for Vietnam's e-Visa:
If you want to use our service to apply for an e-visa, kindly drop your personal information as below:
• Arrival date;
• Arrival airport/border;
• Exit airport/border;
• Religion;
• Intended temporary residential address in Vietnam;
• Passport scan copy (example is in attachment);
• Passport portrait (4*6 size, colored photo, white background, straight looking without glasses).
Price: 60USD include:
• 25 USD for stamping fee.
• 35 USD for service fee.
Process time: We apply for you, the result will be ready in 3-6 working days.
Special notes:
• At the moment e-visa system has received a large number of applications, therefore there could be a delay or refuse without any refund. We will inform and advise you the solution if any.
• If you are blacklisted, no refund is made even when you do not receive visa.
• Your arrival airport will be noted in the E-visa and you might not be able to use it in a different airport/border so please make sure you choose the right one.
• Please don't buy your flight ticket to Vietnam until you get your e-visa in hand. We have no responsibility for your flight ticket if there are any unexpected issues happening to your e-visa.
VIETNAM VISA ON ARRIVAL
If you are planning a multiple-entry visit or a stay of more than 30 days, you will want to apply for a visa on arrival. To do this you'll need:
- A 4x6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses
- A filled-out visa application form
- A passport or substitute ID valid for six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam
- Payment (25 USD to 60 USD) for visa fees
- A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you are picking up your visa at the airport)
CUSTOMS
The basic principle of customs policy in Vietnam is that visitors should enter and exit with the same goods and personal possessions with the following exceptions:
Cash amounts greater than US$ 5,000 should be declared upon entry or exit.
1. Souvenirs: Visitors are free to buy products in Vietnam for personal use. The exception to this principle is antiques. Antiques considered of "national interest" will be confiscated without refund or recourse. In general this applies to articles of ancient (over 50 years old) or religious nature. "National interest" is interpreted by an expert at the airport. In cases where a visitor is unsure of the acceptability of the export of any goods purchased, they can check with the Customs Office in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for prior ruling without risk of confiscation.
2. To avoid confiscation of goods not purchased, visitors must be sure an accurate description appears on the Customs Declaration form upon arrival. Particular note should be taken of antiques purchased in other countries in the region which might possibly be deemed of Vietnamese origin. Also, extra care should be taken to declare loose gemstones and jewelry.
3. Firearms, narcotics and other internationally prohibited goods are banned and those found in possession of such items are liable to prosecution. Items that you cannot bring into Vietnam include weapons, munitions, explosives and inflammables, firecracker of all kinds, opium and drugs, toxic chemicals, and cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society (pornographic seditious publications, films and photos), harmful child toys. If you break these rules you will be subject to Vietnamese law.
Medical Facilities
Over the counter prescription drugs are widely available in major cities, but it is best to bring frequently used medicines from home. It is also recommended that visitors bring a basic travel first-aid kit with band-aids, anti-infection creams, mosquito repellant, and the like. There are several medical clinics in Hanoi, Danang and Saigon staffed by foreign medical personnel.
Safety
Vietnam is widely acknowledged to be one of the safest destinations in the world. In almost all cases the Vietnamese people regard tourists with the highest level of respect as guests in their country. However petty theft and pick pockets do exist in the larger cities. In other areas reports of these activities are almost unheard of. It is certainly not something to be concerned about but you should be aware of your surroundings.
You should therefore ensure that all bags have sturdy locks. Place all valuables, including passport and air tickets in the in-room safe at hotels or at the front desk. It is best not to bring expensive jewelry or watches to Vietnam. Do not carry unnecessarily large amounts of cash with you at any time.
Emergency Numbers
0 National Domestic Direct Dialing Access Code
00 International Direct Dialing Access Code
113 Police
114 Fire Brigade
115 Ambulance
1080 Directory enquiries
Vietnam Quick Facts
Population: 96.4 million
Capital City: Hanoi, population 7.6 million
Language: Vietnamese
Religion: Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity.
Currency: Vietnam’s official currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Notes come in denominations between 1,000 and 500,000 dong. Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted. Traveler's cheques are exchangeable in banks and credit cards are becoming more readily acceptable, especially in the major hotels and restaurants of Hanoi , Da Nang City, Hoi An City and Ho Chi Minh City. ATMs (Automated Teller Machine) are widely available in major cities and tourist hubs right across Vietnam.
Time: GMT + 7 hours
Electricity: 220V with two round or flat-pin plugs.
International Dialling Code: +84
The Lunar New Year
Tết Nguyên Đán, literally the ‘Festival of the First Day’ is the Lunar New Year period in Vietnam. Lasting 4-5 days, the vast majority of people simply refer to it as ‘Tet’.
Steeped in myth, legend, ritual and tradition, Tet is a symbolic period of rebirth and renewal; of joy and merriment; a time for homecoming family reunions and fulfillment of filial piety duties. Houses are spring-cleaned and spruced up with a lick of paint or whitewash. Ancestral graves are cleaned and repaired. New clothes are purchased. Friends are visited with token gifts and warm wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous and successful new year. Debts are repaid and outstanding matters are finalized in preparation for a fresh, new beginning for the coming year.
Vietnamese people enjoy a very close spiritual relationship with their ancestors. On New Year’s Eve, the head of the family will make offerings to the ancestors and invite them to return and join the family for Tet.
Tet Lunar New Year 2019: Feb 5 - Feb 7
Tet Lunar New Year 2020: Jan 25 - Jan 27
Ao Dai
Clothing of Vietnam is unique. One of the most popular Vietnamese traditional dress is the “Aó Dài” or “long tunic”, worn often for special occasions such as weddings or festivals.
Gastronomy
Cuisine of Vietnam is an integral part of its cultural heritage. Its cuisine is also influenced with practices of various religions and beliefs. The Vietnamese cuisine is often considered the richest food in the world.
Markets
In the Vietnamese countryside, there are three broad types of markets: a fair; an early morning market and an afternoon market. Rural towns will also usually have an all-day market. In the hamlets and villages, with available space always at a premium and for convenience sake, the early morning and afternoon markets may share the same location, differing only in the time of day and produce or goods purveyed. Most commonly, fresh produce in the morning and durable goods, household items, clothing, etc. in the afternoon.
