Vietnam Tourist Visa Unraveled: Your Expert Companion for Travelers

Vietnam is one of the countries that attracts many tourists around the world because of its magnificent landscapes and varied cuisine. However, one of the issues that visitors should be aware of before joining a trip to Vietnam is the procedure for applying for a Vietnamese Tourist Visa. In this article, Vietnam Motorbike Expert will help you better understand about this type of visa as well as issues related to the visa process to make your trip easier!

Overview about Vietnam Tourist Visa

For foreign travelers seeking to embark on exhilarating motorbike tours of Vietnam, securing a valid Vietnam Tourist Visa serves as the crucial initial step. A Vietnam Tourist Visa is a mandatory part of the entry process for all foreign tourists arriving in Vietnam.

This is a type of travel document that must be issued by the Immigration Department, allowing visitors to enter and explore the beauty of Vietnam. Depending on your nationality, you may be visa-free or require a visa before entering.

Since March 2022. The government has officially restored the visa policy. Also in May of 2022, visitors do not need a certificate of vaccination and COVID-19 testing to enter Vietnam.

Just do the simple Vietnam Tourist Visa procedure to be able to enter. In the following sections of this article, we will explain how to apply and how to get a Vietnam tourist Visa. Let’s find out!!!

Vietnam Visa Exemptions

Tourist visa is a mandatory procedure for tourists who want to enter a country. However, as stated above, depending on your nationality, you may be visa-free when entering Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has reached agreements with a total of 22 countries around the world on visa-free entry to Vietnam.

This means that you can travel to Vietnam for a certain period of time without a Vietnam Tourist Visa if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:

Please note that the above information does not apply to persons who want to extend their stay in Vietnam for longer periods. To extend the time, you can do the instructions yourself at The Immigration Department or search for agencies for a fee of $25 to receive an invitation letter. (3-month single entry).

Understanding Vietnam Tourist Visas

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries listed above, you must apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa in order to travel in that country.

Please remember that, since this is a tourist visa, you are absolutely not allowed to do business or work in any form during your stay. This section of the article will help you understand how to apply for Vietnam Tourist Visa:

Various Types of Vietnamese Visas

To know how to get a Vietnam Tourist Visa, you need to know how many types of Vietnam Travel Visa are available. There are a total of five types of Vietnam Tourist Visas. To apply Vietnam Tourist Visa, visitors can apply for one of the following five types:

• 1–month Single Entry.
• 1–month Multiple Entries.
• 3–months Single Entry.
• 3–months Multiple Entries.
• 1–year Multiple Entries (Only for US passport holders).

Requirements for Vietnam Tourist Visa

To ensure a smooth and successful application process for your Vietnam tourist visa, having all the necessary documents prepared accurately is crucial.

Here’s an overview of the required documents you should prepare:

• The passport of the person entering must be valid for a minimum of 6 months (not subject to prohibitions or restrictions on entry into Vietnam).
• The regulated Vietnam Tourist Visa application form is filled in with information (whether in hand or online).
• Passport photo (2 photos).
• Check back flight tickets.
• Confirm your hotel reservation.
• Invitation from Vietnam (if available)
• Vietnam Tourist Visa registration fee.

Methods for Visa Application

Currently, there are two ways to apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa. You can flexibly choose one of the following two ways to apply for a tourist visa:

• Option 1: Apply online.
• Option 2: Directly apply at the Vietnamese Embassy or Vietnamese Consulate.

Processing Time

The processing time of your Vietnam Tourist Visa takes about 2 – 3 working days since the application was accepted. However, for emergencies, your visa application can be processed within 4 – 8 hours. The duration of the visa may vary depending on the application. In addition, holidays can affect visa processing time, so you should apply early to avoid lack of time.

Online Application for Vietnam Travel Visa

E-Visa Application Process

One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get your Vietnam Tourist Visa is with an E-Visa. Currently, E-Visa is available in 80 countries and territories. This is an electronic document issued by the Vietnamese government with a 30-day expiration period. Here are some simple steps to apply for an E-Visa:

• Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents as described above and credit card or debit card. You must provide a temporary residence address, exit/ entry point in Vietnam.
• Step 2: Visit website https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn → Select E-Visa Issuance
• Step 3: Enter the printed papers and upload the necessary documents prepared as required, select “Tourism” in the “Purpose of Entry” section.
• Step 4: Check the information carefully.
• Step 5: Pay $25 E-Visa fee (This fee will not be refunded under any cases).

The usual Vietnam Tourist Visa application process takes 3 working days, you will receive the results via email provided. Visitors applying for an E-Visa can go directly to the entrance office instead of waiting at the entry office.

Visa On Arrival (VOA)

While a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the gate is an option for stays exceeding 30 days, travelers embarking on south Vietnam motorcycle tours are strongly advised to apply for a visa in advance. The application process for both VOA and E-visa requires the same documents, but securing a visa beforehand ensures a smoother arrival and avoids potential delays at the airport, especially during peak season.

However, the applicant then needs to be sealed at international airports in Vietnam such as Hanoi (Hanoi), Tân Sơn Nhất (Ho Chi Minh City) and Da Nang Airport (Da Nang City).

VOA’s process will be similar to the E-Visa process. However, you need to go through the VOA counter at the Vietnam airport. The airport staff will provide you with stamps and stickers after checking your documents. Besides, you need to pay for the stamp fee (can be in VND or USD) when using this service.

Applying for Vietnam Embassy Tourist Visa

In case you are unable to apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa online, you can take time to visit the Embassy or Consulate to make a visa application. The direct Vietnam Tourist Visa application is similar to an online visa application. To apply for Vietnam Tourist Visa at Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam, you need to:

Make an appointment with the Embassy in advance and actively contact for guidance on procedures and how to prepare the file.

Pay the fees and the necessary documents directly to the Embassy or you can also choose to send them by post.
Go to the Embassy to get your visa. In the case of mailing, you can also receive an approval letter through the mailing form.

Applying for a Vietnam Tourist Visa at the Embassy takes about 5 days from the date of receipt of your full application. In case you are unable to complete the procedures yourself and have problems with documents, you can contact a visa agency to complete these procedures in the fastest and easiest way.

Extending Your Stay in Vietnam

Visa Extension Process

Extension Vietnam Tourist Visa is a process that extends your stay in Vietnam longer than originally planned. The authority in Vietnam will give you permission to extend your stay in Vietnam with a new stamp, with a different departure date from the original scheduled date. Please note that this procedure is only carried out at the entry and exit control authorities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Overall, the steps of your Vietnam Tourist Visa renewal process are not too complicated. The extension period will be linked to the duration of the original visa type. You can extend from 15 days up to 6 months depending on the type of visa you originally chose.

For example, a 1-month tourist visa can be extended for another 15 days – 30 days. This is a charger based on your nationality. For instance, the renewal costs will range from $50 – $160/ month, up to $320 for 3 months.

Visa Renewal

For travelers in the case of Visa Exemption, you just need to simply apply for a visa extension to increase the number of days in Vietnam. Upon completion of the procedure, you will receive a stamp and one more sticker for your legal stay in Vietnam.

The foreign visitors can apply for a maximum extension of 3 months or upgrade their visa in a different way ( 1 month to 3 months/ single entry to multiple entries). The fee for a single entry visa is about $200 and multiple entries visa required $350 within 3 months.

Visa Run

Visa Run suitable for people who cannot renew their visa in the usual way or do not want to pay an excessive fee. The Visa Run form will be performed by participating in motorcycle tours through Vietnam like ho chi minh motorbike tour trail or ha giang loop tour through international gates, exits and reworking the visa application procedure upon entry into Vietnam.

This is also one of the most popular forms of extension of your Vietnam Tourist Visa. This option does not cost too much and allows you to renew your visa for up to 3 months. You can complete the Visa Run process through two forms: by air and by road.

In general, applying for a Vietnam Tourist Visa is quite easy if you are not sought or banned or restricted from entering Vietnam. Hopefully the information in the above article will help you with your Vietnam Tourist Visa application process. Please notice that the above information in this article is for informational purposes only. Please contact and update the latest and most accurate information at the Embassy of Vietnam when performing the visa application process to avoid errors. If you have any questions or concerns about motorcycle tours in Vietnam, contact the Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert via the hotline for immediate support!