At a distance of four to five hours flight from India, Vietnam is becoming a popular tourist destination for travelers. The country offers attractive places to almost every kind of nature lover and adventurer.
Therefore, traveling to this region of the world has become easier because of the direct flights. However, you have to apply for a visa first. Surprisingly, various application options are available to get a Vietnam visa for Indians.
So, read this article to learn more about a Vietnam visa for Indians including the documents required, the visa types, and the application procedure.
About Vietnam
As a South Asian country, Vietnam is popular for numerous reasons. For example,
- Bustling cities
- Beaches
- Rivers
- Buddhist pagodas
In addition, its largest city and capital, Hanoi, is home to a big marble mausoleum of the communist-era leader. Ho Chi Minh was the icon of the nation.
Ho Chi Minh City has been named after him. It is a place famous for its colonial landmarks, tunnels (used by Viet Cong soldiers), and War history museums.
Can Indians Enter Vietnam Visa-Free?
Vietnam does not offer Indian passport holders to enter the country visa-free regardless of their visit purpose. For example, this may include tourist or business visa purposes.
So, Indians must get a visa before traveling to Vietnam.
Other than that, Indian citizens can apply for an e-visa. Also, they can get their tourist visa on arrival when traveling to Vietnam by air as a part of a tour. However, certain conditions should be met to get a VOA.
General Information about Vietnam Visa for Indians
- If your passport is about to expire, make sure to renew it to get a Vietnam visa. This is because a passport should have a validity period of at least six months when traveling to the target country.
- Indian citizens can also apply for a visa on arrival that is valid for thirty days.
- Contrary to this, you, as an Indian can also get a Vietnam e-visa. This visa will allow you to stay for almost three months (90 days).
- Make sure that you have applied for a Vietnam visa at least a week before your intended trip. This period should exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- Lastly, you can start the application process by yourself at the Immigration website or through the help of a travel agency.
Visa Types and Validity
Vietnam is a great place if you want to go on a balmy vacation with a limited budget. But before that, you have to identify the purpose of your trip. For example, this may include a tourist or a business visa.
Depending on your visa type, the embassy may request you to submit supporting documents. Some of the common types of Vietnam visas are discussed below.
Tourist visa
A tourist visa allows you to enter the country legally for sightseeing, recreational, and leisure purposes. You can also use it to visit friends and family members in the target country.
Besides, with a tourist visa, you can learn about the culture and traditions of Vietnam as well.
However, please note that you cannot participate in business activities when traveling to Vietnam on a tourist visa.
Validity
A tourist visa with a single entry is valid for almost a month.
Business visa
If you want to visit Vietnam for official purposes such as attending meetings, signing contracts, and investment purposes, then you should apply for a business visa.
Please note that there is a difference between a business visa and a work visa. You can apply for a work visa only when you receive an employment letter from the employer.
Validity
In addition, a business visa with either a single or multiple entry is valid for up to one year (twelve months).
Visa on arrival
This is an alternative method to enter Vietnam. Indian citizens can apply for a visa on arrival to travel to the target country. Moreover, it is a recommended method for air travelers who need a tourist or business visa on an emergency basis.
To start the process, make sure to visit this online website. After you fill out your application form and deposit the fee, you will receive an approval letter through email.
Having an approval letter is a must to get VOA. You cannot board a plane without an approval letter. Moreover, the following are the three major airports at which you can apply for a visa on arrival. Any other checkpoints will not entertain your visa applications.
- Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Danang Airport (Da Nang)
Validity
A visa on arrival is valid for only thirty days (one month). Make sure you leave the country before it expires.
E-visa
Lastly, you can also apply for a Vietnam visa through an online (e-visa) system. It is the easiest application method. The e-visa is valid at almost 42 Vietnamese ports of entry.
Besides, you can enter Vietnam through the port of entry mentioned on your e-visa application. In addition, you cannot change the entrance point after you get your e-visa.
Furthermore, you cannot extend your e-visa, instead, you can leave the country and then re-enter after applying for another e-visa.
Validity
An e-visa has a validity period of almost three months (90 days) and is processed within 5-7 working days.
Document Checklist for a Vietnam Visa for Indians
The application process for a Vietnam visa for Indians comprises several steps. Among them, one is to submit the relevant documents to the embassy. Regardless of the visa type, certain standard documents should be attached to the application form.
On the other hand, specific documents should also be submitted with the rest of the paperwork. Both of them are discussed below.
Standard documents
- A Vietnam visa for Indians requires you to submit your diplomatic passport to the embassy. It should be valid for almost six months after you leave Vietnam. Moreover, it must have two blank pages to affix the visa stamps.
- The embassy may also request you to submit two passport-size pictures to identify yourself. The photos must be clear, not older than the last three months, and have a dimension of 35*45mm.
- You can download a visa application form shown in the procedural guide below. Complete it completely, as leaving any blank unfilled will lead to visa rejection or delays.
- Another important requirement is to show that you have reserved your flight to travel to Vietnam. This can be in the form of a round-trip itinerary/flight reservation. This document helps the officials learn about the essential flight details.
- Proof of accommodation in the form of a hotel reservation or a rental contract for an apartment/house is required. This will demonstrate that you have made arrangements for the entire duration of your stay in the destination country.
- Furthermore, it is recommended to have travel health insurance to manage any unexpected medical expenses during the journey to a foreign land. This may include accidents, surgery, hospitalization, etc.
- Your trip to Vietnam also requires you to have sufficient funds to bear expenses related to food, transportation, and accommodation. For this purpose, you should submit proof of financial resources such as a bank statement, etc.
- Lastly, you can also write a cover letter to explain your trip plans in detail. For instance, you can share the intended activities, the duration of your stay, and the date when you will return, etc.
Documents required for a tourist visa
- A sponsorship or an invitation letter from the Vietnamese host
- The financial health and place of residence of the person sponsoring your trip
Requirements of a business visa
- If you are employed, you should submit your bank statement or salary slip
- An academic transcript, admission letter, and NOC from the current educational institute are required if you are a student
- If you are a retired individual, make sure to show your pension slips from the last six months
Embassy of Vietnam in India
You can find the Embassy of Vietnam in India at the following address.
| City | Address |
| New Delhi | 20 Kautilya Marg, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi |
Consulate of Vietnam in India
You can visit the Consulate of Vietnam in India to apply for a visa if you want to go through this method.
| City | Address |
| Mumbai | Unit 805, 8Th Floor, Powai Plaza, Hiranandani Gardens, Central Avenue, Powai 400076, India |
Steps to Apply for a Vietnam Visa for Indians
For Indians, there are three methods available to apply for a Vietnam visa. This includes,
- E-visa
- Visa on arrival
- Visa at embassy
Yet, the fastest and easiest method to get a Vietnam visa for Indians is by applying through an online (e-visa) system.
However, the following section will present a step-by-step guide for the application process for a Vietnam visa for Indians when applying through a visa application center.
- The first step is to search for VFS Global on Google.
- Among several results, choose the highlighted one.
- The next step is to select the home and destination countries such as India and Vietnam.
- Then, click on the ‘Start now’ tab to move to the step-by-step guide officially.
- After that, select the visa type as per the purpose of your trip to Vietnam. You can choose from a tourism or business visa.
- Furthermore, the next step requires you to download and fill out the visa application form. This is the form for a tourist visa, whereas fill this form for a business visa.
- Moreover, be sure to gather all the documents discussed above including the additional paperwork.
- Then, make sure to schedule an appointment to provide your biometric data such as fingerprints and photos.
- You can visit the application center to pay your visa fee and submit the required documents on the day of the appointment.
- Furthermore, you can also track the status of your application online. For this purpose, enter the reference number or your date of birth in the given space.
- Lastly, wait for the response. Once approved and informed, you can pick up your passport. Moreover, you can also get it through the courier service.
Visa Extension and Renewal
In case you want to stay in Vietnam for longer than the specified period, then make sure to extend your visa before the current one expires. It may take almost a week to complete the visa renewal or extension process.
Besides, you can apply for a visa extension at the Vietnam Immigration Department Office.
There is a slight difference between visa extension and renewal. One of the main points is that the visa extension is cheaper than the renewal process.
Application Fee for Vietnam Visas for Indians
The application fee for a Vietnam visa for Indians depends on the visa type you have applied for and the application process. For instance, it may include the e-visa system or applying through the embassy.
Besides, the fee structure for the major visa types is discussed below.
| Visa type | Application fee |
| Tourist visa | 2,750 Indian Rupees |
| Business visa | 2,750 INR |
| Visa on arrival | 35 dollars (2,936 INR) for one month, single or multiple-entry 45 dollars (3,775 INR) for three months, single-entry 65 dollars (5.452 INR) for three months, multiple-entry |
| E-visa | 25 dollars (2,098 INR) for single-entry 50 dollars (4,194 Indian Rupees) for multiple-entry |
How Long Does It Take for a Vietnam Visa for Indians to Process?
The standard processing time for a Vietnam visa for Indians from New Delhi is ten to twelve working days. In the case of other locations, the period would get extended for a day or two.
Moreover, it also depends on the complexity of the application and the workload on the embassy. Please note that this period is indicative and subject to change considering various factors.
Best Practices for a Faster Processing of Vietnam Visa for Indians
Consider the following tips to make sure that your Vietnam visa application process is smooth and faster.
- Make sure that you have applied for a visa at least two weeks earlier before your planned departure.
- Before submitting your application form and the documents, review them to correct any mistakes.
- The information given on the form should match the details on your passport. In case of any discrepancy, the authorities may reject your visa.
- Another factor you must consider is to deposit your visa fee in advance to avoid any problems down the road.
- Lastly, ensure to regularly track the status of your application to submit any additional document, if required.
FAQs
- Are Indians required to apply for a visa to Vietnam?
Yes. Indian citizens are required to apply for a visa to travel to Vietnam as the country does not offer visa-free entry to the nationals of India. Other than this, you can also apply for a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- What is an approval letter for a visa?
The Immigration Department of Vietnam issues a visa approval letter when you apply for a visa on arrival. You can present it at any of the three entrance ports to get your VOA.
After verifying the documents and the approval letter, the authorities will issue you the desired visa. Please note that without this document, you cannot board a plane.
- If my Vietnam visa is rejected, will I get a refund?
No. The visa application fee is non-refundable, which means that you will not get it back even if your visa is rejected.
- Should I have travel health insurance to get a Vietnam visa?
Indian citizens don’t need to have travel health insurance to get a Vietnam visa. However, it is recommended to purchase an insurance policy to bear unexpected travel and medical expenses during your stay in Vietnam.
- Is it necessary to have a round-trip itinerary when applying for a Vietnam visa?
Yes. The visa application process for Vietnam requires you to have a round-trip itinerary. This shows the visa officials that you will return to your home country before your visa expires.
Moreover, this will save you from overstaying your visa and indulging in any illegal activities in the target country.
Read Also: Japan Tourist Visa for Indians