Visas are required of all travelers, with the exception of:

Citizens of Bulgaria, Cuba, North Korea, and Romania;

Citizens of Malaysia and Thailand, who are exempt for stays no longer than 30 days;

Citizens of the Philippines, who are exempt for stays no longer than 21 days;

Transit passengers set to depart within 72 hours, if they hold valid tickets for return or onward passage.

To apply for a visa, contact your local Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Visas at border gates may be issued if you are an official guest of a Vietnamese government official or organization, or if you’re part of a Vietnam tourist package tour. Some Vietnamese travel agencies may also get your visa for you.

Visa applicants must submit:

- A fully-accomplished entry permit form;

- Three passport-sized photos;

- Original passport;

- Visa fee ($43-$50, depending on the type of visa issued)

Tourist visas are valid for one month from date of entry. Visas can be extended for another month at extra cost.

You also can get a Visa on arrival to Vietnam. Visa on arrival is a rather new way as it is ordered online. You just go online and work with a Vietnamese visa service. They will provide you with an application form to fill in. The procedure is carried out online. You send them a visa application email and get the confirmation email from them. After 2 days (1 days for urgent situations), you will receive an approval letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. The rest of your work is to print it out and bring it with you to your arrival airport to get visa stamp. The visa fee depends on the type and number of visas you order.

Please remember to bring along two (2) photos. Following is the list of regulations regarding passport-style photographs:

- Photographs must be 2×2 inches in size, identical, taken within the past 6 months.

- The image size from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head should be between 1 inch and 13/8 inches.

- The photographs may be in color or black and white.

- They must be full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.

- Photographs should be taken in normal street attire, without a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.

- Uniforms should not be worn in photographs with the exception of religious attire which is worn daily.

- If prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles are normally and consistently worn, they should be worn when the picture is taken.

- Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required to support the wearing of such glasses in the photographs.