Vietnam has been recognized as a country with a time-honored history. Throughout history, Vietnamese agriculture and handicrafts have always been renowned for their high level of sophistication. The country is the glorious land nurturing a myriad of praiseworthy notables, yielding such a rich cultural heritage as well as fine cultural traditions. All of the above has turned Vietnam into a destination that international tourists cannot miss out; Indian tourists are not an exception. This article is going to show you the first step to set foot in this country, which is applying for a Vietnam tourist visa.

Vietnam visa entry requirements for Indian tourists

It is compulsory for Indian tourists to apply for a valid visa so as to travel to Vietnam. Indian citizens, therefore, must ensure that their passport meet the entry requirements:

• Your Indian passport must be valid for minimum 06 months beyond the arrival date
• Your Indian passport must have at least 02 blank pages for a visa stamp

Instruction on Vietnam visa application for Indian tourists

Currently, Indian tourists can apply for a Vietnam visa by 03 accessible methods, which are visa at the Embassy or Consulate General, visa on arrival and electronic visa. These require certain different documents and process to apply. Therefore, you are strongly recommended to pay close attention to get rid of unworthy incidents.

1. Vietnam visa application at the Embassy or Consulate General

Being well-known as the most traditional and familiar means to obtain a visa, some Indians decide to apply through the Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam Consulate General, both located in New Delhi and Mumbai, respectively. This type of visa, however, requires a higher application cost as well as a greater amount of documentation. Along with that, if you are not based in the capital or Mumbai city, applying through the Embassy or Consulate General is considered remarkably inconvenient.

Please be well-noted that the working hours of both Embassy and Consulate General is Monday to Friday, from 9.000am to 5.00pm. Also, on the occasion of public holidays of Vietnam and India, the Embassy and Consulate General will be closed.

Required documents for visa application through Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General

Apart from the entry requirements, it is required to have:

• Vietnam visa application form: You can download the form online or directly get it at the Embassy or Consulate General.
• 02 personal photos taken with white background (size 3x4cm and taken within 06 months).
• Copies of documents with the proof of entering Vietnam, for example, airline tickets, hotel reservation confirmation and so forth.
• Fee amount: Contact Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General for further details.

Process of visa application through Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General

1. Fully prepare all the required documents.
2. Submit the visa application form and pay the application fee (please note that the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable).
3. Arrange an appointment to re-visit and receive the results of your visa application from the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General; in case you are unable to pick up the visa, you can register to the Embassy or Consulate General to send it through the post office with a certain fee.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam visa when applying through Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General

Those who apply for a Vietnam visa will usually receive the result within 5 to 7 working days (excluding both India and Vietnam holidays), depending on the appointment of the Embassy or Consulate General.

2. Vietnam visa on arrival application

Vietnam visa on arrival is now fairly popular as this visa type is more simple in comparison with application at Embassy or Consulate General. Indian tourists only have to contact a travel or visa agent from Vietnam to “acquire a visa approval letter” first, then using it to get a visa stamp when arriving at Vietnam airport.

Required documents for Vietnam visa on arrival application

Apply for the visa approval letter

• Provide the information needed to credible travel or visa agencies, such as your full name, nationality, gender, date of birth, and passport number. In some cases, you are also in need of providing your air ticket, hotel booking, and a copy of the passport.
• Service fees (vary according to the company costs and visa type, usually ranging from $6 to $50).

Obtain the visa stamp at Vietnam airport

Apart from the entry requirements, you have to prepare:

• Visa approval letter (previously obtained from the agency).
• Visa application form (received via email from the agency).
• Fee amount: $25 for single entry visa and $50 for multiple entry visa (no longer than 3 months of staying).

Process of Vietnam visa on arrival application

1. Work with a reliable and professional visa agency, provide required information, then pay the service fees for approval letter (the fee is refundable if your application is unsuccessful). https://www.vietnamimmigration.com/apply-vietnam-visa/
2. Receive and print out your visa approval letter during plane boarding.
3. After arriving at Vietnam International Airport, find the visa upon arrival counter to submit the visa approval letter along with your passport to obtain a visa stamp on your passport.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam on-arrival visa

It takes about 02 working days to obtain a visa approval letter from the agency. If you are in an emergency case, do not hesitate to contact your agency to receive the letter quickly, usually within an hour to a day. This service, yet, also imposes a higher fee.

3. Vietnam electronic visa application

Indian tourists who do not have a generous amount of waiting time normally have a preference for electronic visa, widely known as E-visa. With this visa, applicators do not have to wholly rely on a third-party as you can conduct the process by yourselves.  Although eligible for all Indian passport holders, E-visa applies only for a single entry with the maximum length of stay of 30 days.

Required documents

Apart from the entry requirements, you have to prepare:

• A scanned copy or a photo of your passport (must be a clear and identifiable copy).
• A scanned personal photo (600×400 pixel and taken within 06 months).
• Your Visa Card or MasterCard (used to pay the visa fees later).
• Fee amount: $40.

Process of E-visa application

1. Access the Government E-visa application website to register; or apply through an E-visa agent. https://www.vietnamimmigration.com/apply-vietnam-visa/
2. Fill in all required information on the website; then upload your scanned photo and passport.
3. Pay for the E-visa application fee; you will further receive an email for payment confirmation.
4. Receive your E-visa via email and print it out.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam E-visa

Indian tourists will normally receive their E-visa in 02 working days. You can keep track of your application process by chat support or email.

In short, if you are on a plan to travel to Vietnam, the visa application now is undoubtedly accessible due to the total number of 03 methods. Based on your location or personal plan, you can go with the most suitable and convenient option. To ensure having a good visa application service and a smooth process, please keep in mind that you should choose a trustworthy agency and fully prepare all the necessary documents.