Vietnam is a travel destination for millions of travelers each year. Statistics show, more than 15 million tourists visited Vietnam in 2018, which is more than double in comparison to 2014.

Vietnam attracts with its amazing diversity. It offers natural beauty, cultural heritage, delicious food (and coffee!) and dynamical cities. To top it off, locals are very friendly. No wonder it has landed on your bucket list ?

Since you are reading this I assume, you will sooner or later also travel to this amazing Southeast Asian country ?

But before you head to the airport, check immigration requirements – you might need a visa to enter the country. If this is so, read further ?

In this post, I am sharing all the information about the process for hassle-free border crossing.

e-Visa

Introduced back in 2017, e-Visa is a great way to enter the country. It’s easy to apply for and it will save you some time after landing. Since you’ll have a visa already, you’ll be able to continue straight to passport control.

E-Visa is single-entry only and valid for 30 days.

You will need to pay $25 for a tourist visa. No additional charge is applied at arrival.

You can apply for it via Vietnam’s government site: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt

Visa on arrival

This was my to-go option both times I visited Vietnam. It’s a straight-forward process, offering all visa types, including multiple entries (what I was applying for).

You apply online for an “approval letter”, which usually arrives in your email inbox in 2 working days. It costs from $6 to $20, depends on visa type you’re applying for. Then present a printed version at the immigration office on the airport in Vietnam, where you’ll collect your visa and pay for “stamping fee”. Yes, you’ll have to pay twice, but it’s not as awful as it sounds ?

I recommend you print visa application form at home and fill it before arrival to Vietnam (available here). It’s easier to fill this at home, then in the line for “visa stamping”.

A reliable and one of the cheapest “approval letter” provider is http://vietnamvisapro.com.

Note:

Before going further with visa on arrival keep data protection in mind. Not only you will receive the approval letter, but also others, who applied for it in approximately the same time. If you don’t want other applicants to see your name and passport number, apply either for eVisa or obtain it via embassy.

Visa via embassy or consulate

This was always my least favorite option – not just for Vietnam, but in general. I only used visa via embassy back in 2009, when citizens of Slovenia still needed a visa to enter Thailand. Since then, I try to avoid it.

My least favorite option or not, you might only be eligible to apply for a visa in this way.

To check the closest embassy, that could issue a visa, I always go to the domestic Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Slovenian readers can access it here. Get in touch with them and ask for detailed instructions for visa application.

Happy trip planning!

Thank you so much for reading!

Love,

P.S.: If you are traveling to Vietnam, don’t forget to try at least a sip of their coffee. Get ready and learn about their coffee types with my Vietnamese coffee guide.

Note: Post about Vietnamese visa does not contain affiliate links. Links posted here are my personal recommendation and I don’t receive any payment for this.

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