How to get a Vietnam visa used to be a question that is easily answered. You just get in advance from an embassy and that was it. However, as tourism has started increasing, Vietnam has started to adapt. While this can be great news because it introduces cheaper and easier ways to visit Vietnam, the entry methods and rules can get more complicated every year. The good news is that we have been following these rules changes for the last few years so we will help you through all the options.
Do you need a visa?
Since the rules for a Visa in Vietnam are changing constantly, how sure you are that you need a Vietnam visa? Guidebooks are usually a good starting point, but considering how commonly rules are changing those guides usually, are out of date in just a few months. You can also check Vietnam’s Embassy website, however, there are parts even of the embassy that are not up to date. The best starting point is to assume that you will certainly need a visa. If you are from coming from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and most of Europe with the exception of a few countries, you will need a visa.
There are some exemptions for some countries where you can get a free visaless stay for several days. You can get a 15-day visa exemption in France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Norway, Italy, Belarus, Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. You can also get a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia. However, make sure you check all these details a week or two before you travel to Vietnam.
Should I use a vise exemption instead of applying for a visa?
If you are lucky to benefit from a visa exemption, you should still make sure if that is the right option for your type of trip since there are a couple of limitations for the visa exemption. Apart from the limited duration of 15 or 30 days, you cannot extend your visa at any circumstance. This is usually fine if you are on a pre-determined trip, like a 1 or 2-week vacation/holiday. However, if you are backpacking or on an open-ended trip through Southeast Asia, we recommend you get yourself a visa. Vietnam is the kind of country you will want to stay longer.
If you are looking to get an E-Visa for Vietnam, check out e-visa-Vietnam
Options to get a Vietnam visa
There are a few options you can choose from, here is a quick list of what they are.
- From a Vietnam Embassy in your country
- Using an online Visa company
- Using a travel agent while in Southeast Asia
- Vietnam embassy in other countries
- Getting an e-Visa
- Getting a Visa on Arrival
E-Visa
Since we can’t focus on all the options for getting a visa, we decided on the E-Visa method since we think it’s the easiest.
There is an online website that allows you to apply and register for an E-Visa before you travel to Vietnam. These services will support you throughout the whole process of the E-Visa process and help you get the visa as fast as possible.
