Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Austria | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Switzerland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other EU countries | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turkey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passport information
Generally required, usually has to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the validity of the visa.
Visa information
A visa is generally required.
- Thembaprograms: Offers ultimate guide to duty-free shopping in Vietnam. Also includes import and export regulations, as well as embassy and telecommunication information about this country.
Costs
Germany: On-Arrival-Visa: 25 US$ (approx. 22 €). Fees if no entry permit has been issued: Tourist visa/business visa: €25 (with entry permit)/€65 (without entry permit), (single entry, for a stay of max. 30 days) or €50 (with entry permit)/€80 (without entry permit) (multiple entries). Express surcharge (visa issuance within 24 hours): 25-27 € Express surcharge (visa issuance within 24 hours): 25 €. E-Visa (valid for 30 days): 25 US$ / approx. €40 Austria: Tourist and business visa: €90 (single entry, valid up to 4 weeks), €95 (multiple entries, valid up to 4 weeks). Switzerland: Normal visa: 90 CHF (for a stay of up to 1 month, single entry). 105 CHF (for a stay of up to 1 month, multiple entries). 105 CHF (for a stay of up to 3 months, single entry). 140 CHF (for a stay of up to 3 months, multiple entries). Express surcharge (visa issuance within 24 hours): 20 CHF
Visa types and costs
Single and multiple entry tourist and business visas, e-Visa. The airport visa/ on-arrival visa is only issued in particularly urgent cases.
Validity
Tourist visa: usually 1 month stay for a single entry. Extension possible on site. Business visa: up to 1 year. Business visas with a validity period of more than 3 months are only granted on presentation of an entry permit.
Transit
Travelers who otherwise require a visa, who fly on the same day, have valid papers for the onward journey and do not leave the transit area do not require a transit visa. In person or by post at the responsible consular representation (see contact addresses). Postal application should be sent by registered mail. Citizens of the following countries can apply online for an e-visa (max. 30-day stay): (a) Germany, Austria and all other EU countries; (b) Switzerland. An on-arrival visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days. However, entry with an on-arrival visa is only possible via the international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. It is generally recommended to apply for a visa before entering the country, as Vietnamese on-arrival visas are intended for exceptional cases.
Application required
(a) 1 Application Form (must be completed online at visa.mofa.gov.vn and submitted with the other documents). (b) 1 recent color passport photograph. (c) Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the stay. (d) Fee (if applying by personal check). (e) Proof of purpose of stay. (f) Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay. (g) Online Health Statement. (h) If applicable, residence permit for Germany, Austria or Switzerland. (i) Turkish citizens need an entry permit from the Vietnamese Ministry of the Interior for tourist stays. Application via the inviting person in Vietnam or via the Vietnamese tour operator. Business visa additionally: (i) The business partner in Vietnam must apply for an entry permit (approval code) for the applicant. The embassy can only issue a visa once the confirmation from the Immigration Department has been received. A stamped, registered return envelope must be enclosed with the application. On-Arrival Visa: (a) Letter of invitation from a partner agency. (b) Online Health Statement.
Temporary Residence
Package travelers who have booked their trip through a Vietnamese travel agency can apply to the immigration authorities to extend their visa-free stay by a further 15 days. Application cost: US$10.
Processing time
Tourist Visa: Approximately 7 business days (depending on how quickly confirmation is received from Vietnam. Faster visa issuance if applied through a travel agent or by fax). e-Visa: 3 business days. Express Visa: on the same day (additional fee). No express issuance for multiple-entry visas with a validity of up to 3 months and for approval for visas with a validity of 6 and 12 months. Switzerland: By post at least 2-3 days. Express Visa: on the same day (additional fee). No express issuance of approval for visas with a validity of 6 and 12 months.
Proof of sufficient funds
Foreigners must have sufficient funds during their stay.
Legally Required Registration
Registration is mandatory within 24 hours. This is usually taken over by the hotel or the local tour operator.
Entry with children
German: Machine-readable children’s passport or your own passport (recommended). Austrians: Own passport. Swiss: Own passport. Turks: Own passport. Note: The same visa regulations apply to children as to their parents. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) to travel abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Entry with pets
A health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate are required for dogs and cats.
