Foreign business persons wishing to visit Vietnam must apply for visa except those eligible for visa exemption in accordance with agreements signed between Vietnam and other countries.

Foreign visitors wishing to Vietnam must apply for visa except those eligible for visa exemption in accordance with agreements signed between Vietnam and other countries.

- Vietnam has signed agreements on visa exemption with 38 countries, including 10 APEC member economies (Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Thailand). These agreements mainly apply to diplomatic and official passport holders.

Especially, the agreements Vietnam signed with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand also waive visa requirements for ordinary passport holders. Under these bilateral agreements, citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand holding ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements for duration of stay in Vietnam not more than 21 days (for citizens of the Philippines) or not more than 30 days (for Indonesian, Malaysian or Thai citizens). Moreover, the agreement with China applies to ordinary passport holders on public affairs, providing that these ordinary passports stamped with "AB" marks are used for public affairs purposes .

- Vietnam applies visa exemption on reciprocal basis with Singapore, in which citizens of the two economies holding diplomatic, official and ordinary passports are exempted from visa requirements.

- Vietnam unilaterally waives visa requirements for Japanese citizens to enter Vietnam for tourist, visit and business purposes with the duration of stay not exceeding 15 days.

For more information , please visit:

http://www.vnimm.gov.vn/Indexe.asp

To apply for a visa, the applicant must submit:

- Passport or equivalent travel document; and

- One completed visa application form; and

- Two passport-sized photos.

The visa application may be lodged at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate closest to the applicant’s place of residence by the applicant or by an agent or by mail. A personal interview with the applicant is not required.

A visa can be issued at the port of entry when the business person:

• Coming from the countries where Vietnam has not established embassies and/or consulates; or

• Visiting in tour organized by Vietnam’s intentional travel agencies; or

• Entering to accord urgent technical assistance for projects or works in Vietnam; or

- Having other urgent reasons.

The maximum of processing time is not exceeding 05 working days upon receipt of necessary dossiers

There are two kinds of multiple visas:

- Multiple entry-exit visa valid for less than 6 months

- Multiple entry-exit visa valid for between 6 months and one year.

Validity of visa depends on the purpose of the applicant’s visit and usually varies from 15 days to 12 months. Visa is non-extendable.

- Single entry-exit visa: US$ 25

- Multiple entry-exit visa valid for less than 6 months: US$ 70.

- Multiple entry-exit visa valid for between 6 months and one year: US$ 100

Fees are generally payable in cash, though some Embassies and Consulates may accept check or money order.

Dependant family members may generally accompany the principal applicant. Except for children under 16 years who travel on their parent’s passport, family members should apply for an entry-exit visa in the same way as the business person.