Before you start discovering the popular backpackers and beautiful Vietnam in South-East Asia, one of the first steps is to apply for a visa for Vietnam. Here you will find the information you need so that you can enjoy, relax or discover Vietnam prepared for you.
To travel to Vietnam it is required to have a valid visa. Applying for such a visa can easily be done online. You pay about € 50,- per person for this.
In the surrounding countries, Loas and Cambodia you can arrange the bus trip through your hostel or accommodation.
The required visa is valid for all inhabitants of the Netherlands (and Belgium) to enter Vietnam. If you travel with a group, a visa must be applied for for everyone (including children).
With a visa for Vietnam you may stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days (including the day of entry and exit).
Important: You can only use the visa once to enter Vietnam. For example, if you want to spend a few days in Pnom Phen (Cambodia) from Ho Chi Min and then go back to Vietnam, your already applied for visa is no longer valid and you have to apply for a new one.
If you want to stay longer than 30 days in Vietnam, which I can recommend, you have to apply to the embassy of Vietnam in The Hague. You can then opt for a 3, 6 or 12 month visa.
There are some prerequisites you have to take into account to travel to Vietnam. You need to know the exact arrival or departure date. Also, you do not need to have arranged your transport for your request, such as a flight, bus or boat. In addition, you also need to meet the following conditions to pass through the passport control of the immigration office:
The embassy of Vietnam warns: Do not use the visa on arrival anymore. There is still a lot of advertising with the visa on arrival, while the embassy strongly advises against it. The embassy can no longer guarantee that travellers with the visa on arrival will get past passport control without any problems.
You may only enter and leave Vietnam at one of the locations listed below. You have to mention this when applying for your visa for Vietnam. Your departure location does not have to be the same as your arrival location. View an overview here:
| Location name | Type |
|---|---|
| Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa) | Airport |
| Can Tho | Airport |
| Cat Bi (Hai Phong) | International Airport |
| Da Nang | International Airport |
| Noi Bai (Ha Noi) | International Airport |
| Phu Bai | International Airport |
| Phu Quoc | International Airport |
| Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) | International Airport |
| Bo Y | Border location |
| Cau Treo | Border location |
| Cha Lo | Border location |
| Ha Tien | Border location |
| Huu Nghi | Border location |
| La Lay | Border location |
| Lao Bao | Border location |
| Lao Cai | Border location |
| Moc Bai | Border location |
| Mong Cai | Border location |
| Na Meo | Border location |
| Nam Can | Border location |
| Song Tien | Border location |
| Tay Trang | Border location |
| Tinh Bien | Border location |
| Xa Mat | Border location |
| 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 |
From Kampot in Cambodia I entered Vietnam via the border location Ha Tien Vietnam. In the hostel it was easy to arrange the bus trip to Vietnam and online I had arranged a visa. The hostel arranges the tickets with the bus organization and all you have to do is make sure you get there on time. This might cost a little bit more, but you can be sure it is well arranged.
There are several agencies that can arrange a visa for Vietnam. I can't tell you which one is the best. I have arranged my own visa through VisumBuiteland.nl. I was very satisfied and when I had questions I was helped quickly and well. Take a look at one of the institutions below and see what makes you feel most at ease:
Please note that when applying, you will be asked to upload a recent passport photo and passport scan. And double check your details when applying. With these parties you can make the payment via iDeal, PayPal or Credit Card.
You can apply for a visa 24/7 from the Netherlands, but also from abroad. As long as you have access to the internet. It is logical that you do not know exactly when you will arrive, but try to apply as soon as you know when you will be there.
At some agencies you can request an urgent procedure for an extra surcharge. In most cases this is faster, but there is absolutely no guarantee that it will actually be arranged within 24 hours. Just do it on time if you can arrange it in advance and save the extra costs for an urgent procedure.
If you have any questions, send me an email. I will try to help you as best I can. If you have any questions about an applied for visa, ask your visa organisation or the embassy.
And check the official website to read the very latest information on travel advice for Vietnam before you leave.