Vietnam visa requirements
If you want to apply for the Vietnam visa, you need to fulfil a number of requirements. These requirements relate to the purpose of the trip, the travel details, the passport, and the traveller's background. Read the entry requirements on this page thoroughly before you apply for a visa.
The travel purpose
An important requirement for the usage of the visa for Vietnam relates to the purpose of your trip to Vietnam. The electronic visa may only be used for specific travel purposes.
The e-visa may be used for tourist travel, like a holiday or to visit friends and/or family. Business trips are also allowed. With an e-visa, you may participate in business meetings and conferences. Moreover, this visa allows you to conduct journalistic activities or to invest in Vietnam. The visa may also be used to attend courses or short internships in Vietnam, as well as to give lectures in the country. Finally, the e-visa is suited for transiting through Vietnam or to do voluntary work. Please keep in mind that an e-visa allows you to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days.
If you want to live or work in Vietnam, or if you have another travel purpose which does not meet the requirements, you will need to go to the embassy to apply for another type of visa.
The travel details
Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to submit a visa application if you are situated in Vietnam. Also, you need to arrange a number of things before applying for your visa. You should book at least one accommodation in Vietnam, because you need to fill in its address in the application form.
Additionally, you should keep in mind that you are not allowed to enter and leave Vietnam wherever you wish. Your visa needs to be checked when you enter and when you leave the country, which is only possible at the following locations. You are not required to leave Vietnam at the same place as you entered the country. However, you already need to fill in where you will enter Vietnam and where you will leave the country in the application form.
Do you fly to Vietnam?
The arrival of your initial flight to Vietnam (not considering any domestic flights) as well as the flight you take to departure from the country must take place at one of the following airports: Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa), Can Tho International Airport, Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong), Da Nang International Airport, Noi Bai International Airport (Ha Noi), Phu Bai International Airport, Phu Quoc International Airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City).
Do you travel to Vietnam by car or bus?
If you travel to Vietnam by car or by bus, you may enter and leave the country via any of the following border crossings with a checkpoint: Bo Y, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, Ha Tien, Huu Nghi, La Lay, Lao Bao, Lao Cai, Moc Bai, Mong Cai, Na Meo, Nam Can, Song Tien, Tay Trang, Tinh Bien, Xa Mat.
Do you travel to Vietnam by boat or cruise ship?
In that case, you may enter and leave Vietnam through any of the following seaports: Chan May Seaport, Da Nang Seaport, Duong Dong Seaport, Hai Phong Seaport, Ho Chi Minh City Seaport, Hon Gai Seaport, Nha Trang Seaport, Quy Nhon Seaport, Vung Tau Seaport.
Passport requirements
All travellers who arrive in Vietnam need to possess a valid passport, regardless of whether they need a visa or not. This also applies to children. If travelling with a visa, you need to carry the same passport which was used for the visa application. In any case, the passport should be valid for at least 6 months when entering Vietnam. An emergency passport or a children’s passport may not be used for visa applications. However, a diplomatic passport is allowed. If your passport does not fulfil the requirements, you should apply for a new passport, and use the new passport to apply for a visa afterwards.
Nationalities eligible for a visa waiver
Travellers of certain nationalities do not require a visa for a short stay in Vietnam. A visa waiver applies to travellers with British, German, French, Spanish or Italian citizenship who stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 45 days. This means that nationals of these countries only need to apply for a visa if they intend to stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days. The visa allows travellers from these countries to spend up to 90 consecutive days in Vietnam. Irish travellers, among others, always have to apply for a visa, regardless of the length of their stay in Vietnam.
The background of the traveller
You must not pose a security risk to Vietnam’s national security or its inhabitants. If the immigration services consider a traveller to pose a potential security risk, they have the right to deny that individual entry to the country. To prevent unwanted travellers from entering the country, the immigration services perform a background check on all travellers who apply for a visa. This includes checking whether the individual in question has ever broken a Vietnamese law.
The likelihood of your visa being rejected is higher if you suffer from certain health issues. In that case, you are denied entry into Vietnam. If your health issues fall under the following categories, there is a higher chance of your visa application being rejected:
- Psychological issues, which may pose a danger to other people
- Serious infectious diseases
