Vietnam Visa and Passport Requirements

	Passport required	Return ticket required	Visa required
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
British	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No	Yes/1
USA	Yes	No	Yes

Passports: 

To enter Vietnam, a passport valid for at least one month after the visa expiration date is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport note: 

For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.

Visas: 

Visas for Vietnam are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except:

1. Nationals of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, who may visit without a visa for up to 15 days.

Visa note: 

Visitors requiring business visas need to supply a letter of introduction from the sponsoring business in Vietnam.

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Vietnam.

Types and cost: 

Single- and multiple-entry tourist and business visas are available. Fees vary according to the type of visa and length of stay and are regularly adjusted. Please contact the nearest embassy for up-to-date fee information.

Validity: 

Tourist and business visas are valid for 30 days or 90 days from the proposed date of entry depending on the type of visa granted.

Transit: 

Visas are not required for passengers in transit, provided they have an onward/return ticket, are continuing their journey within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area of the airport.

Application to: 

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

There are also a number of agencies offering a visa on arrival. You apply and pay for a letter of approval online through a commercial company and collect your visa on arrival at the airport (not at overland border crossings). These agencies usually charge an additional service fee. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK advises against obtaining visas using this method however, as it cannot verify the validity of the visas.

Temporary residence: 

Foreigners can take up temporary residence if they are invited to work in Vietnam by an organisation there. You must give details of the type of work and duration before a visa and temporary resident permit can be issued.

Working days: 

Allow five working days for visa processing. For an additional fee, an express service of one or two days is available.

Extension of stay: 

You can extend tourist visas for up to a month and the best way to do this is through a travel agent in Vietnam. Rates vary depending on the agent used. Do not overstay your visa.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Vietnam

Telephone: (04) 3936 0500Website: http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.ukOpening times: Mon-Fri 0830-1145

US Embassy in Vietnam

Telephone: (04) 3850 1500Website: http://vietnam.usembassy.govOpening times: Mon-Fri: 0830-1100 and 1300-1500

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the USA

Telephone: (202) 861 0737 or 2293 (consular section).Website: http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/Opening times: Mon-Fri 0930-1230

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the UK

Telephone: (020) 7937 1912Website: http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/Opening times: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (visa section).