Vietnam Visa for Indians

Vietnam has become a popular tourist destination in the last few years, with more and more people appreciating all the country has to offer. However, if you are someone who wishes to experience the sights and sounds of the Southeast Asian country, you will first need to apply for a Vietnam visa. You will not be able to access the country unless you have a valid Vietnam visa for Indians.

But you need not worry about getting your visa for Vietnam as the process is fairly simple. You can apply for a Vietnam e-visa for Indians or get it physically. Your visa is a single-entry visa and stays valid for 30 days from the date of commencement on your trip. You must always apply for a Vietnam e-visa for Indians as it means you save time.

There are a few documents you need to present when you apply for your Vietnam visa, and if you have these documents in place, you should have no problem getting your visa, allowing you to enter Vietnam and enjoy all the country has to offer.

Moreover, Indian passport holders are also eligible for a Vietnam visa on arrival. However, this visa on arrival is typically for individuals travelling with a recognised Vietnamese tour operator.

As we have already mentioned above, there are two ways in which you can apply for a Vietnam visa. You can either opt for a Vietnam e-visa for Indians or apply for your visa physically. As implied, both application methods have different procedures one needs to follow, and we will be elaborating on both for your convenience.

Applying for Vietnam e-Visa for Indians

The steps to apply for a Vietnam e-visa are as follows;

• Go to the official Vietnam e-visa application portal
• Click on apply
• Scan the information and photo page on your passport and upload these scanned pictures in JPG format.
• Provide your details and any details of your trip being asked for on your screen
• Pay the visa fees online through any of the e-payment models being offered.

You should hear back from the visa office in 5-30 days after the Vietnam Immigration Department receives your complete application form. If your visa is approved, you will be issued an approval letter stating the same. You can find this letter on the e-visa portal after your application has been approved. You need to enter your registration details, email address and date of birth to access this letter. Once you can access this letter, take a printout of the same. You must show this letter to the immigration authorities, pay the stamping fee, and get your e-visa stamped. The stamped e-visa will act as a Vietnam visa on arrival for Indians.

Applying for a Vietnam Visa Physically

If you wish to physically apply for your Vietnam visa, you can do so through the VFS office. The steps you need to follow for this application are as follows;

• Go to the VFS Global Vietnam Visa Application Centre closest to you with a visa application form and your valid passport
• Once at the centre, you will need to collect a token from the security official and wait your turn
• You will need to go to the counter you are called to when your token number is announced
• Submit your application to the VFS officer along with all the other necessary documents that are being asked for. Check that all the fields are filled on your visa application form and that they are filled correctly
• Pay the visa application fee and the service charge. You can pay your visa fees electronically, but the service charge needs to be paid in cash
• You can choose to get your visa couriered to you via courier or ask to be notified when it arrives at the Embassy and collect it from there.

Check where your closest VFS office is located and make your arrangements to get there accordingly. You may not find an office in your city, so if you need to travel to reach an office, keep some time in hand for your journey.

For Indians who wish to travel to Vietnam, the following are the visa types available to you.

• Vietnam Tourist Visa- If you are someone who wishes to visit Vietnam for a short period (holiday or tourism), this is the visa you need to opt for. You are not permitted to conduct business or take classes in Vietnam if you are in the country on this visa.

• Vietnam Business Visa- You can use this short-term visa if you are in Vietnam for a temporary business-related purpose like signing a contract, meeting an investor, or attending a conference. You are not permitted to take up employment if you are in the country with this visa.

• Vietnam Work Visa- If you are someone who wishes to carry out business in Vietnam or have found legal employment in Vietnam, you are eligible for this long-term visa.

• Vietnam Diplomatic Visa- If you are a government official or a foreign diplomat visiting Vietnam, you will be issued the Vietnam Diplomatic Visa. If you are travelling with family, they will also be granted this visa.

• Vietnam Student or Internship Visa- If you are a student who has gained admission to a Vietnamese institution or are a fresher with an internship in a Vietnamese company, this is the visa for you.

• Vietnam Investor Visa- This is a special visa granted to only those who will be investing their money in a business in Vietnam.

• Vietnam Transit Visa- If you will be landing in the Vietnamese airport only to catch a flight to a different country but need to be in a Vietnamese airport’s international transit area, you need to have a Vietnam Transit Visa.

If you are an Indian who wishes to visit Vietnam for any reason, from tourism to business, you must apply for a visa. If you do not have a visa before you can get to Vietnam, you still have the option to get it at the Vietnam airport, given that you have applied for a Vietnam e-visa for Indians. You need to determine which category of visa you require as that determines the actions you can perform in Vietnam to a large extent.

When applying for your visa, take stock of the documents you require to submit and have them ready with you in advance. This helps speed up the process and makes getting the visa much easier. Remember that you will not be able to pass immigration without your Vietnam visa, so ensure you have the visa or e-visa with you before reaching Vietnam.

You should always apply for your visa well in advance, but since Vietnam has two options, your timing should depend on which kind of visa you are applying for. If you are applying for a visa physically, you should apply for it well in advance, as it could take some time for it to come through. You also need to factor in that you need to apply for the visa from a VFS office which does not exist in every city in the country. If you are not from any of the cities where an office is, you will need to travel to these cities to get your visa and then wait for the courier with the visa to reach you once your application is complete. It is, thus, best to start the process 30-45 days before your trip.

If you are opting for a Vietnam visa on arrival, you must apply for the Vietnam e-visa online. In most cases, your approval letter comes to you within 2-3 working days. You also have other options where if you need to go to Vietnam urgently, you can get your letter in 4-8 hours and if it is very important, you can get it in as less as 30 minutes. Once you have the letter, you need to get a printout, show it at a Vietnam international airport, and pay the stamping fee.

To get a visa for Vietnam, you need to be able to furnish the following documents;

• The visa application form
• An Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of the commencement of your trip. Your passport must have a minimum of two blank pages for the Vietnam visa stamp.
• Two coloured passport-size photographs.
• The visa approval letter in case of your e-visa
• Proof of the payment of your visa fees and the amount necessary for the stamping fee in Vietnamese currency for your e-visa.
• Proof that you have adequate funds to sustain yourself while in Vietnam
• Your round-trip tickets
• Proof of accommodation

The Vietnam visa cost for Indians varies depending on the mode of your application. You need to pay a different fee if you opt for a Vietnam e-visa and a different fee for a physical visa. These charges have been tabulated for your convenience.

*The Vietnam tourist visa cost for Indians varies depending on the Indian rupee and Vietnamese dong conversion rate.

Travelling to a new place can be a liberating experience. You are surrounded by new sights, cultures and experiences, allowing you to try things you may never have before. Most people go out of their comfort zones while on holiday and try things they otherwise would not. And to truly get into the spirit of a vacation, one must feel free. This can only happen if you feel that the burden of responsibilities has shifted from your shoulders a little. But how do you do this when you are in a new place and have a lingering fear that things might go wrong?

You can truly enjoy yourself on your trip to Vietnam if you have a reliable travel insurance plan. With the right travel insurance plan, you can get covers for a wide range of issues you might face while on your trip. From lost baggage to flight cancellations, from medical aid to evacuation if the need arises, your international travel insurance is like the companion who stands by you in all your difficulties.

Even though Vietnam does not necessitate having a travel insurance plan, you should never travel abroad without one. Having the right international travel insurance prevents you from feeling vulnerable in a foreign land. You know you can also lean on your travel insurance plan should things go wrong, which helps you feel secure no matter where you may be.

Tata AIG’s travel insurance plan ensures you never have to face any trouble alone. Our covers are customised so that should any problem arise, you can count on us to bail you out. Further, our plans are affordable, making them accessible to a larger cross-section of people, and the many years of our success in the insurance market have made us a top choice for most travellers. So, when choosing international travel insurance, always choose Tata AIG!

As of 15th May 2022, Vietnam authorities have lifted all Covid restrictions, and their borders are open to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travellers.

However, countries are constantly changing their Covid guidelines based on their requirements, so do not forget to check for the latest updates before heading to Vietnam.

There are very few visa applications that get rejected when it comes to Vietnam. They are generally very accepting of all travellers, regardless of the country of origin. If you have all your documents in place, you should not face any trouble while applying for a visa for Vietnam.

There are only a few instances when your application may be withheld. They are:

• If your visa form is incomplete or if the information provided therein by you is incorrect
• If you are a proven immigration law offender
• If the details on your application form do not match your documents
• If there are indications that you may use your visa incorrectly

Knowing interesting facts about a place always makes going there a more enjoyable experience. Also, knowing things other people do not know is a great conversation starter among strangers and gives you bragging rights amongst family and friends.

So if you are going to Vietnam, here are a few fun facts that may help you:

• Vietnamese culture draws great influence from Chinese and European Cultures.
• One of the grandest festivals in Vietnam, the Hue Festival, is only celebrated in one city in the country.
• Tortoises are auspicious for the Vietnamese people.
• It is considered bad luck to gift anyone a yellow flower in Vietnam.
• The Eiffel Tower in France and the Long Bien Bridge in Vietnam share a common designer.
• Son Doong in Vietnam is the largest cave in the world and was discovered accidentally by a farmer.
• Vietnam celebrates a festival for ex-lovers called the ‘Love Market' festival.
• Vietnam is the second-largest producer of coffee in the world.
• Pho, the national dish of Vietnam, is now considered an international delicacy.
• Áo Dài, the national dress of Vietnam, was once worn by people of both genders.
• People in Vietnam regularly consume dog meat.
• Lizard fishing is among the favoured pastimes in Vietnam.

If we were to start listing the things to see and do in Vietnam, we would never be able to draw it close. Still, we have compiled a list of the most popular and beloved things to experience in Vietnam. They are

1. Take a boat ride on Halong Bay
2. Bike through Hue
3. Stroll through Ho Chi Minh city
4. Swim in the Tu Lan Cave
5. Cross the bridge at the iconic Tran Phu Street
6. Go trekking on the Fansipan Mountain
7. Enjoy Vietnamese city life in Hanoi
8. Bask in the sun and sand at Nha Trang
9. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
10. Go Kayaking or take a cruise along the Lan Ha Bay

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Subject to change based on the nature, extent and duration of the travel insurance policy.