(Image: Wikipedia)
What is visa exemption? How many countries can a Vietnamese passport travel without a visa? In case of temporary visa exemption, conditional visa exemption, visa issuance at the arrival airport.
What is a visa exemption?
Visa exemption (visa exemption) is the fact that a certain country allows a foreigner to enter and stay in that country for a certain period of time without having to go through visa procedures.
Currently, there are 54 countries and territories that exempt visas for Vietnamese citizens or just need to apply for a visa on arrival or an electronic travel permit (eTA), Anpha will share details below.
How many Countries can a Vietnamese Passport travel without a Visa?
For many reasons such as diplomatic relations, economic cooperation or attracting tourists... that many countries have policies:
Visa exemption for a certain period of time;
Conditional visa exemption or issuance of visa on arrival for Vietnamese citizens.
There are 21 countries that exempt visas for Vietnamese citizens for a certain period of time, specifically:
Countries in Asia:
Brunei: Temporary stay less than 14 days;
Myanmar: Duration of stay less than 14 days;
Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia: Temporary stay less than 30 days;
Kyrgyzstan: Irrespective of the purpose of entry;
Kyrgyzstan (former Soviet Union): No length of stay;
Singapore: The temporary stay is less than 30 days provided that there is a return ticket or a ticket to another country;
Indonesia: The period of temporary stay does not exceed 30 days and extension of temporary stay is not allowed;
Philippines: Temporary stay of less than 21 days, conditions for return air tickets or air tickets to other countries.
Countries of the Americas region:
Visa-free countries for Vietnamese citizens in the Americas region usually stipulate longer stays. Concrete:
Panama: Temporary stay less than 180 days;
Haiti, Ecuador: Maximum stay of 90 days;
Dominican Republic: Maximum stay of 21 days;
Turks and Caicos (a territory of the United Kingdom): Duration of stay for 30 days and condition that Vietnamese citizens have return air tickets;
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: To be admitted, Vietnamese citizens must present a valid passport, return air tickets and prove that they have enough money to pay for the trip.
Countries Of the Oceania region:
Cook Island: 60-day stay;
Niue: 60-day stay;
Republic of Barbados: 90-day stay;
Federated States of Micronesia: The duration of stay is less than 30 days.
Countries of the African region:
Togo: 7-day stay;
Zambia: 90-day stay;
Madagascar: 90-day stay;
Confederation of Comoros: Duration of stay 30 days.
In some cases, eTA is misunderstood as an eVisa. But in fact, an eTA is an electronic travel permit usually issued to citizens of visa-exempt countries as a type of travel document, which will link electronically to the passport of the visa exemption..
There are 2 countries that accept electronic travel permits (eTAs) for Vietnamese passports:
➤ Taiwan:
Vietnamese citizens (who have not yet exported foreign workers) with valid visas of: Japan, UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and European Schengen (including immigration cards) will be exempt from Taiwan visa for a maximum period of 30 days;
Need to register online to be considered for Taiwan eTA.
➤ Sri Lanka:
Duration of stay 30 days;
eTA Sri Lanka is issued for tourism or business purposes only, except in the following cases, eTA will not be issued:
Participation in conferences and seminars on media/journalists;
Participate in activities carried out by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) or INGOs (international non-governmental organizations);
Participation in meetings, conferences related to political parties or groups.
In addition to visa-free countries (visa exemption) for Vietnamese citizens as mentioned above, there are also other countries and territories that exempt visas for Vietnamese people but must have conditions to accompany or issue visas right
at the arrival airport without applying in advance.
Specifically, there are 31 countries that exempt visa conditionally or issue visas at arrival airports for Vietnamese citizens. Details of visa-free countries with conditions or issuance of visa on arrival for Vietnamese people by region are as follows:
Countriesin Asia:
➤ East Timor:
The visa issuance fee is 30 USD, the visa exemption period is 30 days;
Customs will issue entry visas to Vietnamese citizens right at East Timor airport;
To be granted a visa, Vietnamese citizens must present a round-trip air ticket to East Timor and a full cash amount of USD 100 (only need to be presented without submitting) for each entry.
➤ Japan:
Currently, Japan only exempts visas conditionally for Vietnamese tourists participating in tours of travel companies designated by Japan;
The procedure for applying for a 1-time visa in this case will be simplified and valid for up to 5 years.
➤ Republic of Maldives:
Issuance of visa at the airport upon arrival, the visa exemption period is 30 days;
Vietnamese citizens only need to show the return air ticket and proof
of hotel reservation, the immigration officer will stamp the visa exemption stamp on the passport;
The visa will be stamped "Employment Prohibited" with the aim of preventing illegal workers from entering this form of tourism.
➤ Nepal:
Issuance of visas at the border with a stay of 15-90 days;
At Kathmandu airport, Vietnamese citizens need to present 2 card photos (the same size as the one on the passport) and 1 blank page on the passport.
➤ India:
The cost of making an Indian visa is 60 USD, the validity is 30 days;
Vietnamese citizens are granted visas at 4 airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
➤ Iran:
The cost of an Iranian visa is 40 Euros, the stay period is 17 days;
Issuance of visas to Vietnamese citizens at Iranian border gates;
➤ Korea:
Visa exemption when flying directly from Vietnam to Jeju Island, 30-day stay period;
In case they want to travel to places other than Jeju, Vietnamese citizens need to apply for a visa at the Korean embassy in Vietnam.
➤ United Arab Emirates (UAE):
The maximum stay is 30 days;
Vietnamese citizens are exempt from UAE visa if:
Buy an Etihad or Emirates flight ticket to fly from Vietnam to Dubai or Abu Dhabi;
Or buy a stopover package (*) not older than 96 hours.
(*) Stopover: Short-term travel package for Vietnamese citizens with transit time in UAE.
➤ Tajikistan:
Visa issued at Dushanbe International Airport;
The maximum period of stay in the country is 45 days.
European Zone countries:
➤ Serbia is the only country in Europe that exempts Vietnamese citizens with visas from European Union countries and the US with a maximum stay of 90 days.
Countries of the Oceania region:
➤ Samoa:
Duration of stay 60 days;
Issue an entry visa at the airport.
➤ Tuvalu (small island nation located between Australia and Hawaii):
Duration of stay 1 month;
Issuance of visa at the border or visa exemption if Vietnamese citizens have arrived in the Schengen area.
➤ Tanzania:
Duration of stay 30 days;
Visa exemption if Vietnamese citizens have been granted/exempted visas in nearby countries.
➤ Palace:
Duration of stay 30 days;
Vietnamese citizens must prove their finances upon arrival at the airport.
➤ Marshall Islands: Issuance of visa at the border, maximum stay period of 90 days.
➤ Papua New Guinea: Visa issuance at the border, 60-day stay period.
Countries of the Americas region:
➤ Saint Lucia: Granted visa at the border, 6-week stay.
➤ Costa Rica:
The duration of stay is 30 days;
Visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens who have obtained visas to Japan, Korea, Canada, USA, Schengen area for the purpose of residence, work, study abroad or are residing in these areas.
Countries of the African region:
➤ Kenya: Visa issuance at the border, 3-month stay period;
➤ Mali: Issuance of visa at the border, maximum stay of 90 days;
➤ Djibouti: Visa issuance at the border, maximum stay of 30 days;
➤ Guinea-Bissau: Issuance of visa at the border, 90-day stay period;
➤ Somalia: Visa issuance at Somali airport, 30-day stay period;
➤ Mauritania: Issuance of visa at the border, maximum stay of 30 days;
➤ Cape Verde: Issuance of visa at the border, unlimited length of stay;
➤ Republic of Seychelles: Issuance of visa at the border, maximum stay of 60 days;
➤ Burundi: Issue visa at the border gate at Bujumbura airport and have a stay of 30 days.
What Documents do Vietnamese Citizens need when entering and exiting?
In addition to air tickets, the required documents for immigration procedures are passports and visas. However, Vietnamese citizens will be exempted or granted visas right at the airport until they arrive in the 51 countries that Anpha shared above.
Regarding passports, depending on the subjects and purposes of entry, Vietnamese citizens are required to have 1 of the passports such as: diplomatic passport, official passport, ordinary passport or travel document.
Note: The information on the passport must ensure the following:
Portraits;
Full name of the passport holder;
Date of birth of the passport holder;
Gender, nationality;
Symbol and number of entry documents;
Date, month and year of issue, passport issuing authority;
Date, month and year of passport expiry;
Personal identification number or ID number;
Titles and positions for diplomatic and official passports in accordance with foreign relations requirements;
Other information prescribed by the Government.
Source: nhandan.vn
Photo: Collected
Starting from August 15, 2023, Vietnam is introducing its easier-to-get passports. This is good news for citizens as this procedure will make the whole process simpler and more efficient. The new passports will also be safer with technical protection and counterfeit prevention, giving people more confidence when they travel abroad.
1. The updated Vietnam Passport samples
In accordance with Decree No. 31/2023/TT-BCA issued by the Ministry of Public Security, effective from August 15, 2023, Vietnam will have four types of passports:
The Vietnamese passport sample (utilizing simplified methods) has 12 pages and can be valid for as long as 12 months.
2. Who is eligible for the new Vietnam passport sample?
In line with the Immigration Law of Vietnam including Article 17 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens 2019 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15, this new passport is provided to the following individuals.
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*Note: Ordinary passports issued under simplified procedures cannot be renewed when they expire in Vietnam.
3. The general and technical specifications of the Vietnam new passports
In Clause 1, Article 2, Circular 31/2023/TT-BCA stipulates general and technical specifications of the Vietnam passports as follows:
The Vietnam passport is an essential document for Vietnamese citizens, serving various purposes such as travel, work, and visiting relatives abroad. Therefore, we hope this article has supplied you with enough information to get your new passport!
In case you want to get advice on Vietnam passport issuance, please do not hesitate to visit our website Vietnam-immi.Org or kindly contact us at +84.357.522.522!
Hanoi will simultaneously surprise, charm and chew you up. Founded along the Red River, Hanoi was named Thang Long (soaring dragon) by Emperor Ly Thai To in 1010. Over a thousand years of war, natural disasters and new administrations, the city grew from swamplands into the charismatic capital it is today. Take in details of the ancient architecture, battle the barrage of millennials on motorbikes and drink fresh bia hơi in the Old Quarter. Here are 11 must-see stops in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Soldiers stand guard the entrance of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
This commanding construction was built from 1973 to 1975 to house the embalmed body of Vietnam’s greatest political leader, Hồ Chí Minh. Visitors and Vietnamese queue for hours every morning to pay their respects to the cadaver, dressed in a khaki wardrobe and encased in a glass sarcophagus.
Admission: 35,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 11am, Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun (December to September) last entry at 10:15am
Address: So 1, Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh
One Pillar Pagoda
The unique one pillar pagoda in the middle of a lotus pond.
This Buddhist wooden pagoda was built in the middle of a lotus pond on a single stone pillar by the Emperor Ly Thai To in 1049. Archives suggest it was built in honor of the Goddess of Mercy, who answered the Emperor's prayers for a male heir. The structure is designed to resemble a lotus flower blossoming from muddy waters, a symbol of purity in Buddhist philosophy.
Admission: 25,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 11:30am everyday, and 2pm - 4pm, Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun
Address: Chua Mot Cot, Doi Can, Ba Dinh
The Old Quarter
At the top of Hoan Kiem Lake, Dinh Tien Hoang 'roundabout' is a great starting point for exploring the alleys of the Old Quarter.
Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter is a single square kilometre comprised of 36 streets. Since the 15th century, each street has been home to artisans and craftsmen who traded in the specific merchandise for which their street was named. Today, the charm of these streets still remains. Prepare to marvel as you wander from silver street to bamboo street, silk street to decoration street, all within a stone's throw of each other.
TIP: At night, head down to bia hơi corner (the intersection between Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen) to sample sensational street food and bargain brews.
Admission: Free
Hours: 7am to midnight
Address: North of Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi Opera House
The Opera House is at the edge of Hanoi's French Quarter, where a few colonial buildings have been well preserved.
Constructed at the turn of the 20th century, this beautiful colonial building is the largest theater in Vietnam. After nearly 100 years of operation, the Opera House was carefully refurbished in 1997 and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Today the venue attracts renowned performers, productions and musicians.
TIP: Culture lovers should book tickets to see 'My Village' at the Opera House. This impressive showcase combines acrobatics, traditional dance and music.
Admission: 300,000 VND
Hours: Check the website for performances
Address: So 01, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem
Vietnamese Women's Museum
This museum boasts a floor on textiles of ethnic groups, women's crucial role in wartimes and even their practices as mediums of the 'Mother Goddess' worship.
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is one of the most modern museums in Vietnam. Housing a series of excellent exhibitions presenting artefacts, costumes, crafts, memoirs,and photographs from the past 100 years, the museum reveals the pivotal role of Vietnamese women in their country's history and society.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 5pm, Tue-Sun
Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hang Bai Ward, Hoan Kiem
The Water Puppet Theatre
Live music is always performed alongside the puppeteering with traditional instruments and delicate vocals.
Dating back to the 11th century, water puppet performances are ideal for light entertainment and insight into Vietnamese folklore. Wading around in waist-deep water holding bamboo poles, puppeteers operate the lacquered wooden characters from behind a screen, reenacting scenes from rural village life.
Admission: 100,000 VND
Hours: 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, 8pm, 9:15pm every day, and an additional performance on Sundays at 9:30pm
Address: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
Hoan Kiem Lake
Turtle Tower rests at the centre of 'the Lake of the Restored Sword.
Legend says Emperor Ly Thai To was gifted a magical sword by a giant golden turtle who lived in the lake in order to defeat the Ming dynasty. Once victorious, Ly Thai To gave the sword back to the turtle who dove down to return the sword to the gods. Hoan Kiem Lake is admired for its beauty as well as insight into the daily life of Hanoians. Watch locals practicing their daily exercise and Tai Chi routines in the gardens by the water's edge.
Admission: Free to the general public
Hours: Open all day
Ngoc Son Temple
The Ngoc Son Temple, or The Temple of the Jade Mountain, is situated on a small tree-sheltered island on the north side of Hoan Kiem Lake. Connected by a stunning scarlet bridge, this classic Vietnamese structure was built in honour of the intellectual scholar Saint Van Xuong, and national hero General Tran Hung Dao. In 1884, the Confucian scholar made a series of renovations to the site, including adding parallel sentences (câu đối) or word puzzles to the walls.
Admission: 20,000 VND
Hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm, every day
Address: Hoan Kiem Lake
Temple of Literature
The main gate of the nation's oldest university, be sure to visit during lunch time to avoid crowds.
Built by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong during the Ly dynasty, the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu in Vietnamese) was erected in honour of the philosopher Confucius and his disciples in 1070. In 1076, it became home to Hanoi’s first university, Quốc Tử Giám. The site is one of the oldest in Hanoi and a national symbol of Vietnamese education and architecture. Today, the temple houses five court yards, records of Vietnamese scholars, and statues of turtles which are said to bring students good luck in their exams.
Admission: 30,000 VND
Hours: 8am - 5pm, from November until March; 7:30am - 6pm for the rest of the year, Tue-Sun
Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da
Museum of Ethnology
The gardens feature traditional structures, including the communal houses of the Bahnar or Giarai ethnic groups which can reach up to 30 metres high.
This amazing museum examines the everyday life of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. Designed by ethnic Tay architect Ha Duc Linh and French architect Veronique Dolfus, the museum hosts three main exhibition areas. Exhibitions display cultural costumes, handicrafts, videos and artefacts; while the outdoor space showcases impressive life-size replicas of ethnic architecture.
Admission: 40,000 VND
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, Tue-Sun
Address: Nguyen Van Huyen, Nghia Do, Cau Giay
Saint Joseph's Cathedral
The cafes by the Cathedral are a perfect spot to watch the bustle of Hanoi.
Saint Joseph’s Cathedral (also known as Hanoi Cathedral), was built on the site of the Bao Thien Tower, which was the most famous landmark in the capital during the Ly Dynasty. The architect was inspired by the Neo-Gothic style of the Notre Dame de Paris. When visiting, expect to see a multicultural crowd of worshippers and plenty of Vietnamese newlyweds having romantic photo shoots.
Admission: Free
Hours: 8am - noon, 2pm - 6pm, every day
Address: 40 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem
Source: Vietnam Tourism
84.357.522.522
