Vietnam Visa

JW · Post by JW » Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:57 pm

A friend is going to Vietnam for a 5 days, does she require a visa. Tried contacting the embassy in Bangkok but no joy. Any help very much appreciated.

Post by **PeteC** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:20 pm

I'm not certain but...if she is from an ASEAN country I've read that there has been some visa requirement relaxation between member countries. Short stay I believe 10-30 days max. Don't take what I'm saying as ching ching...check some more. Pete

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:41 pm

Those from Nordic countries don't require a visa for a stay of less than 15 days. I think all other Europeans do.

Post by **Digger** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:48 pm

Europeans certainly need visa for travel in Vietnam.Embassy is short walk down wierless road to the south off Shukumvit.You have to take a 30 day visa for which there is a baht charge.You will need 2 photos but no proof of travel.Can take 24 hours but allow 48.Really no need to use visa service from travel agents as consulate is very welcoming and fast.Enjoy visit as it is a fabulous place.Digger

JW · Post by JW » Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:02 am

Thanks for that, not going myself (will in the future). The person is a Thai national and she has been told different variations, i think a trip to the embassy has to be her solution.

Post by **Heebio** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:46 pm

All SEA nationals do not require a visa to visit Vietnam on a tourist basis. Likewise Scandinavians....lucky them.

Brits, Frogs, Yanks and Aussies will, as far as I can make out, always require a visa, for obvious reasons.

Asked a local travel agent about the visa requirements. They could do it but it was going to take five days to a week to arrange and the cost was approx 3000 baht - not 100% about that though, it was a couple of months ago. She did however say that I DID require proof of travel.

If the embassy in BKK can arrange the visa in max 48 hours without any need to produce proof of travel, I reckon this would be the way to go.

Post by **linktolinh** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:58 pm

Hey did your friend find out the answer?

Thailand - Vietnam signed a agreement on immigration. VNese don't need visa to enter Thailand and the other way around with Thai.

All EU citizens need visa to Vietnam no matter how long will you enter the country.

Need more help on Visa? Buzz me I'm from Vietnam and I'm working for a travel agent

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:03 am

As an aside, Linh, can westerners get a visa on arrival in Vietnam? If so, how much does it cost and how long is it for? I thought you could get one at the airport.

Post by **linktolinh** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:14 am

Visa on arrival can be arrange if you have been guarantee by a Vietnamese company which has ligally informed immigration Dept about your arrival.

For example if you ask a travel agent in VN to fix the visa on arrival for you, you will send them your Passport details and they send you a guarantee form. Upon arrival you will pay 25$ and get your visa stamp at the airport.

You may pay the administration fee to the travel agent, around 5 - 10$

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:25 am

Thanks for that, Linh.
What I meant was if I was just wanting to travel or holiday in Vietnam, say for two weeks, do I have to have a visa before I arrive or can I get a "tourist visa" covering the two weeks when I arrive at the airport?
For instance, I can go into Laos and pay 1,400(?) for a 14 day visa on arrival, or Cambodia and pay 1,200(?) for a month. At least they were the prices a few years ago.
Or is it the case that you must have a pre-paid visa to enter?

Post by **linktolinh** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:15 pm

lomuamart wrote:Thanks for that, Linh.
What I meant was if I was just wanting to travel or holiday in Vietnam, say for two weeks, do I have to have a visa before I arrive or can I get a "tourist visa" covering the two weeks when I arrive at the airport?
For instance, I can go into Laos and pay 1,400(?) for a 14 day visa on arrival, or Cambodia and pay 1,200(?) for a month. At least they were the prices a few years ago.
Or is it the case that you must have a pre-paid visa to enter?

You can not have visa on arrival by your own

that's mean you can not apply for visa on arrival at the airport. But you can pick up your Visa on arrival at the airport and pay 25$ ( ~1200 bath) if you already been guaranteed by a company in Vietnam

in conclusion:
- Apply and get tourist visa stamped from VNese embassy in BKK
- Make a deal with a travel agent in Vietnam to get vissa on arrival

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:48 pm

A small correction: Those from Nordic countries don't require a visa to Vietnam is their trip is less than 15 days. No matter whether they are in EU (most are) or not (Norway.) I think this changed a year ago, I was told about this by a Vietnamese customs official when I visited the country a year ago.

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:32 pm

Oh well, Vietnam seems a pretty difficult country to visit if you're in the region and "on the spur of the moment".
I can walk into Thailand for nothing and get 30 days, pay nothing in Malaysia and get three months, go to Burma and get two days for 5 dollars. Go over the Friendship Bridge into Laos and get 14 days for 1,400 baht or into Cambodia via Aranya Prathet for 1,200 for a month.
Why's that Linh? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I would have thought that the restrictions would hurt your tourist potential?

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:44 pm

PS
I was only asking the question as at some point I'll go to a Thai embassy or consulate in the region and get my "marriage visa".

Post by **Heebio** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:04 pm

lomuamart wrote:Oh well, Vietnam seems a pretty difficult country to visit if you're in the region and "on the spur of the moment".
I can walk into Thailand for nothing and get 30 days, pay nothing in Malaysia and get three months, go to Burma and get two days for 5 dollars. Go over the Friendship Bridge into Laos and get 14 days for 1,400 baht or into Cambodia via Aranya Prathet for 1,200 for a month.
Why's that Linh? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I would have thought that the restrictions would hurt your tourist potential?

Three years ago I made the mistake of thinking you could enter the country without a visa. Was held under armed guard for four hours, charged 200 US to jump on the same plane I'd originally landed in, and deported back to BKK.

They kept an armed guard with me and held me separately from the other passengers in the departure lounge. Some of the looks I was getting....felt like Gary buckin Glitter. Once the other passengers had all gone through the gate I was frogged marched down the tunnel. As soon as the stoned faced goose stepper was out of sight of his superiors he broke into a big smile and apologised for all the hassle - he was a really nice guy just doing his job. Says a lot about the communist mind set and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people. Kinda almost made it worthwhile....almost.

Anyway, I reckon recent history and the geopolitics have a lot to do with the lack of visa flexibility, where most westerners are concerned. They want the tourist dollar but ain't gonna make entry as accessible as other countries in the region. As they slowly westernise, they'll learn to compromise....well, here's hoping anyway.