Vietnam Tourist Visa Mastery: How to avoid Scams

If you have a trip planned to Vietnam, don’t forget that you need plenty of time to apply for tourist visa in advance of entering! Before starting your trip to Vietnam, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the visa application procedure and remain vigilant against common scams involving immigration officials (we unfortunately fell victim to one such scam and learned our lesson the hard way). In this guide, we share all of the details of the Vietnam tourist visa application process to avoid being stressed days before your flight and to avoid paying lots of fees.

Last update: February 2024

Type of Tourist Visas in Vietnam

Visa Exemption

The Visa Exemption is a widely utilized option for tourists visiting Vietnam, primarily because it requires only a passport valid for over 6 months upon entry and a roundtrip ticket or one way ticket to another country, and best of all, it’s FREE! However, despite its convenience, this visa only permits a stay of up to 45 days. It’s important to verify if your nationality qualifies for this benefit before planning your trip.

As of August 2023, here are the 13 countries that are allowed to stay for 45 days in Vietnam upon entering the country:

1. Japan	6. Norway	11. Italy
2. South Korea	7. Finland	12. Germany
3. Russia	8. Sweden	13. Spain
4. Denmark	9. France
5. United Kingdom	10. Belarus

Tourist Visa (TR)

If you aren’t eligible for the Visa Exemption, The Tourist Visa (TR) is a great option for most people that would like to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days. This is what we did in 2019 (to visit Da Nang) and in 2023 (to visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).

You can apply for a single entry or a multiple entry visa. The Tourist Visa typically allows a stay of up to 30 days but you can request one for 90 days. It can’t be extended.

Single Entry Visa (SEV)

Single Entry Visa allows you to enter Vietnam once and can’t be extended at the moment.

• Validity: Valid for entering Vietnam within 3 months from the date of issue.
• Duration: Once you enter Vietnam, you can stay for either 30 or 90 days.
• Extension: Not possible.
• Price: $25 USD for 30 or 90 days.

Multiple Entry Visa (MEV)

Multiple Entry Visa allows you to enter Vietnam as many time as you’d like over a 6 month period for up to 30 days each time and can’t be extended at the moment.

• Validity: Valid for entering Vietnam within 3 months from the date of issue.
• Duration: Once you enter Vietnam, you can stay for up to 90 days.
• Extension: Not possible.
• Price: $50

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

It is not possible to show up at the airport and ask for a Tourist visa. You must apply for your visa before arrival or you might be refused the right to enter Vietnam and might have to leave the country.

How to Apply for Vietnam Tourist Visas

Visa Exemption

There is no application required for this visa if you qualify.

Keep in mind that you must provide the address of your hotel / airbnb once you enter the country. You might also be required to provide the following information:

• Proof of a return ticket exiting Vietnam within the validity of your visa.

Visa fee

FREE!

Tourist Visa (Single & Multiple Entry)

You need to apply for these visa online using the official e-Visa page. Make sure you only use the official Vietnam e-Visa page. There are many websites that will appear official but they are actually agencies that will apply for the same e-Visa but charge you more money. They aren’t necessarily a scam but they can be deceptive.

Important: It’s essential to apply for your visa at least a week before your scheduled trip. While e-visa applications are typically reviewed within 3 business days, it’s advisable to allow for some extra time in case follow-up actions are necessary.

Information Required

• Passport with an expiry date of no less than 6 months
• Portrait photograph (digital version)
• Permanent residential address
• Trip Expenses (how much you plan on spending)
• Trip Insurance (how would you insure yourself on this trip)

Visa fee

25 USD
Note: Fee is subject to change, so make sure to always double check on the official e-Visa page.

Tips for Visa Application

Here are our tips to ensure a smooth visa application process and approval

• Plan Ahead: Start the visa application process at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
• Check Requirements: Review the specific requirements for your chosen visa type and ensure you have all necessary documents.
• Be Honest: Provide accurate information during the application process to prevent any complications later on.
• Stay Updated: Always double check the latest information on your local Vietnam Embassy website as these policies do change from time to time.

How to Extend your Vietnam Tourist Visa

Unfortunately you can not extend your Tourist Visa in Vietnam while in the country. You can however apply for a multiple entry visa if you would like to extend your stay.

Common Scams and Deceptions

It’s unfortunately quite common to encounter scams or deceptions when obtaining your Visa in Vietnam as a tourist. Many of these scams involve issues with your application process and greedy immigration officials. Therefore, it’s crucial to double or even triple-check your application to avoid falling victim to these schemes. Here are some common scenarios resulting in an invalid application:

1. Missing Middle Name
2. Incorrectly placing your First name instead of your Last name (or vice versa)
3. Last-minute changes to your visa dates

If a greedy immigration official at your port of entry identifies these issues, they may demand that you obtain an updated visa. They have a right to ask for an updated visa but the scam is that they will charge a very high amount at their discretion and pocket the money. Unfortunately there’s often no other way to acquire a new visa while already in the country, particularly if you’ve arrived by air and are at the airport.

When Mrs. NN applied for her Vietnamese visa, she didn’t provide her middle name because they application form didn’t ask for it. Previously, this omission hadn’t posed an issue. However, during our visit to Da Nang, the immigration officer informed us her name was not complete and needed correction. Given the timing coinciding with Lunar New Year and his awareness of Mrs. NN holding an American passport, he offered to expedite the visa process for her, for an additional fee of $150 USD! Yes, this amounted to 6 times the cost of her visa at the time. Mrs. NN chose not to negotiate with the immigration officer, so we withdrew cash from the airport ATM, paid the fee, obtained the updated visa, and moved forward with our travels.

More recently, another friend fell victim to this scam. She needed to adjust the dates on her visa but couldn’t get the change processed in time before entering the country. Upon landing (also at Da Nang International Airport), she was also offered a similar service, for $150 USD.

Be careful and be prepared in advance in order to avoid these stressful scenarios.

Our Bottom Line

Navigating Vietnam’s tourist visa requirements doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding the different types of tourist visas available and following the application guidelines diligently, you can set off on your Vietnamese adventure with confidence and easily stay up to 3 months in this wonderful country.

While indulging in the delightful Vietnamese cuisine, exploring its rich history, or visiting its numerous sites, let your visa be the least of your worries as you immerse yourself in the wonders of Vietnam.

For more information and updates on Vietnam’s visa policies, visit the official website of Vietnam’s Immigration services or consult with authorized visa agencies in your country. We suggest the following pages that should hopefully stay updated with the latest information:

• Vietnam’s Immigration Website
• e-Visa Application page

Now that you have mastered the Vietnam tourist visa process, are you ready to plan your trip to Vietnam? See our detailed destination reports for Vietnam: Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Ninh Binh.

Of course, feel free to leave us a comment in the comments section below if you have any questions for us as we will be happy to answer any we can based on our own experience.