Photo: Collected
Vietnam visa is a kind of travel document granted by Vietnamese competent authorities, providing permission to travel to and enter Vietnam. Before traveling to Vietnam, visitors need to obtain a visa in case they are from visa-required countries. If you still have no idea whether or not you are required to get a visa to enter Vietnam, please check here.
Types of Vietnam visa
Categorized on where the visa is received by applicants, Vietnam visa can be divided into 3 types:
Vietnam E-visa
An electronic visa (E-visa) is one of visa types issued to foreigners by the Vietnamese Immigration Department via electronic system. Vietnam E-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry.
Sample of Vietnam eVisa issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department
Outside Vietnam foreigners who want to enter Vietnam can personally apply for E-visa or through the requesting agencies and organizations. E-visa fee is paid via electronic payment gateway as prescribed by the Immigration Department. The fee will not be refunded if the application is refused.
Conditions for being granted e-visa:
List of Ports that allow foreigners to enter and exit Vietnam by E-visa.
Below are the ports of entry that allow foreigners to enter and exit Viet Nam with e-visas:
Airports
1- Noi Bai Airport (Ha Noi capital);
2- Tan Son Nhat Airport (in Ho Chi Minh City);
3- Cam Ranh Airport (in the central province of Khanh Hoa);
4- Da Nang Airport (in the central city of Da Nang);
5- Cat Bi Airport (in the northern port city of Hai Phong);
6- Can Tho Airport (in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho);
7- Phu Quoc Airport (in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang);
8- Phu Bai Airport (in the central province of Thua Thien Hue)
9- Van Don Airport (in the northern province of Quang Ninh);
10- Tho Xuan Airport (in Thanh Hoa province);
11- Dong Hoi Airport (in the central province of Quang Binh).
12 – Phu Cat Airport (in the central province of Binh Dinh);
13 – Lien Khuong Airport (in Central Highlands province of Lam Dong).
Landports
1- Tay Trang International Border Gate in Dien Bien province;
2- Mong Cai International Border Gate in Quang Ninh province;
3- Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province;
4- Lao Cai International Border Gate in Lao Cai province;
5- Na Meo International Border Gate in Thanh Hoa province;
6- Nam Can International Border Gate in Nghe An province;
7- Cau Treo International Border Gate in Ha Tinh province;
8- Cha Lo International Border Gate in Quang Binh province;
9- La Lay International Border Gate in Quang Tri province;
10- Lao Bao International Border Gate in Quang Tri province;
11- Bo Y International Border Gate in Kon Tum province;
12- Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh province;
13- Xa Mat International Border Gate in Tay Ninh province;
14- Tinh Bien International Border Gate in An Giang province;
15- Vinh Xuong International Land and Waterway Border Gate in An Giang province;
16- Ha Tien International Border Gate in Kien Giang province.
Seaports
1- Hon Gai Seaport in Quang Ninh province;
2- Cam Pha Seaport in Quang Ninh province;
3- Hai Phong Seaport in Hai Phong City;
4- Nghi Son Seaport in Thanh Hoa province;
5- Vung Ang Seaport in Ha Tinh province;
6- Chan May Seaport in Thua Thien Hue province;
7- Da Nang Seaport in Da Nang City;
8- Nha Trang Seaport in Khanh Hoa province;
9- Quy Nhon Seaport in Binh Dinh province;
10- Dung Quat Seaport in Quang Ngai province;
11- Vung Tau Seaport in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province;
12- Ho Chi Minh City Seaport in Ho Chi Minh City;
13- Duong Dong Seaport in Kien Giang province.
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
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