Vietnam luckily has an easy and efficient eVisa system online. You can access it here. You can apply anytime. Make sure you fill out your information carefully and accurately. Then pay the $25 fee, and you should hear back in under 4 days.
This e-visa is currently only valid for 30 days. In the near future, they may have a 90-day one available. So if you wish to stay in Vietnam longer, don't expect that you can get a visa extension. This is currently not possible! Instead, budget for a 'border run'. Plenty of companies offer this by bus depending on where you are. Sadly I was nowhere near a border so had to pay for flights and an airbnb somewhere else (quick trip to Kuala Lumpur for us).
Dos:
- Apply at least a week before traveling to make sure you have enough time to get it.
- Print out the visa, it is easier for the agents to check it on a piece of paper than on your phone. I've seen them annoyed when someone is showing it on their phone.
- Once entering Vietnam, ensure the dates on the passport stamp is correct.
Don'ts: - Do not use an agency to apply for this visa, you will overpay, and it may not end up being the actual visa.
- Do not attempt to enter before the date you stated as 'entry date' when filling out the form. You may, however, enter after this date.
Tips:
- Be patient with the system, I had to go through the process twice because the payment wasn't going through.
Some have asked whether the airports you state as point of entry or exit are strict. In my experience no. I always entered via the airports I stated, but I ended up exiting through a different airport without any issues.
Happy traveling!
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