Buzz
Vietnamese tourists can travel to 9 Southeast Asian countries and several other destinations worldwide without needing a visa. Additionally, there are some famous tourist spots where visa application is very easy.
To enter another country, you need two important documents: a passport and a visa. Vietnam has signed bilateral agreements, visa waiver agreements with 78 countries. However, most of them are only valid for diplomatic passports (DP), official passports (OP), and for those holding regular passports (RP) but working in diplomatic missions, consular offices, and international organizations.
However, there are still some countries/territories offering visa exemptions for Vietnamese tourists, or implementing visa on arrival policies at border checkpoints with almost 100% visa approval rate and quick procedures.
* Countries/Territories with Visa Exemptions
– Thailand: Visa exemption for holders of RP with a stay of up to 30 days.
– Singapore: Visa exemption for holders of RP, with a stay of up to 30 days and possessing a return or onward ticket, sufficient financial means for the duration of stay, and meeting the necessary requirements for onward travel.
– Laos: Visa exemption for holders of RP with a stay of up to 30 days. Those intending to stay for more than 30 days must obtain a visa in advance; the duration of stay can be extended twice, each time for 30 days.
– Cambodia: Visa exemption for holders of RP, with a stay of up to 30 days.
– Philippines: Visa exemption for holders of RP, with a stay of up to 21 days, provided that the passport is valid for at least 6 months and there is a return or onward ticket.
– Myanmar: Holders of RP valid for at least 6 months are exempted from visa requirements for entry, exit, and transit, with a stay of up to 14 days. (Agreement with Myanmar effective from 26/10/2013).
– Indonesia: Vietnamese citizens (regardless of passport type) are granted visa-free entry to Indonesia for up to 30 days. The stay cannot be extended.
– Brunei: Visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens holding RP for a stay of up to 14 days.
– Malaysia: Visa exemption for holders of all types of passports, with a stay of up to 30 days.
– Kyrgyzstan: Visa exemption for holders of DP, OP, and RP (regardless of the purpose of entry).
– Panama: Vietnamese citizens traveling to Panama for tourism purposes are granted visa and tourist card exemptions.
– Ecuador: Ecuador unilaterally removes visa requirements for tourists from many countries around the world, including Vietnam. The maximum duration for Vietnamese tourists to visit Ecuador is 90 days.
– Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not require visas for tourists from any country or territory. However, tourists must present a valid passport, a return ticket, and proof of sufficient financial means for their trip to be allowed entry by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
– Haiti: According to the Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only citizens of three countries: Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Panama are required to apply for a tourist visa to visit this country. This means citizens of other countries can stay in Haiti for up to 90 days and explore freely without a visa.
– Turks and Caicos: The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory. To promote tourism, they offer visa-free entry to citizens from many parts of the world, including Vietnam. Tourists only need to show a return ticket to stay for 30 days, extendable once. Duty-free items allowed into the islands include: 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1,136 liters of alcohol, and perfume for personal use.
– Jeju Island (South Korea): Vietnamese tourists are granted visa exemption when visiting Jeju Island, while visas are still required for other parts of South Korea. However, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Jeju Island, so travelers will need to transit through another country. Vietnamese tourists holding valid visas (stamped in their passports) from the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are also allowed to enter South Korea for tourism without a visa. The condition is that they must have a flight ticket for the next leg of their journey.
– Taiwan: Tourists from countries like Vietnam, India, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia with valid visas and residence permits in the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, Schengen countries, Australia, and New Zealand are exempt from visas for 30 days when visiting Taiwan.
– Dominican Republic: Vietnamese nationals with valid tourist visas or legal residency in the US, Canada, and the European Union (including the UK) can travel to this country with a tourist card and a valid passport.
– Costa Rica: If you have a valid visa (tourist, crew member, or entry visa for business purposes) with at least 3 months validity and an entry stamp to the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, or Schengen countries, you will be allowed to enter Costa Rica. Similarly, Vietnamese citizens legally residing in countries and regions (residence, work, study) mentioned above are also allowed to enter Costa Rica if their visa is valid for at least 6 months.
* Visa-Friendly Destinations for Easy Travel
– Maldives: Forget the visa hassle! Maldives offers visa on arrival for travelers. Just present your return ticket and hotel reservation upon arrival, and you'll get a stamp on your passport valid for 30 days, absolutely free of charge. However, note the 'Employment Prohibited' stamp, ensuring no unauthorized work during your leisure visit.
– East Timor: No visa required for Vietnamese travelers heading to East Timor. Simply fly to their airport where the customs will issue an entry permit for a fee of 30 USD. Remember to show 100 USD for each entry, though it's just for demonstration purposes. Also, have your return ticket handy.
– Nepal: Nestled between India and China, Nepal welcomes visitors with straightforward visa procedures. Just prepare USD for the visa fee (20 USD for 15 days), two passport-sized photos, and a blank page on your passport. You can obtain the visa right at Kathmandu airport.
– India: Vietnam is among the few countries eligible for visa on arrival at four airports in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. However, note that this visa is single-entry and valid for 30 days, priced at 60 USD. Contact the Indian embassy in Vietnam for more details if you need a multiple-entry or extended stay visa.
– Sri Lanka: Famous for its tea and cultural heritage, the beautiful island of Sri Lanka warmly welcomes international travelers. Simply apply for a visa online, pay the visa fee using your bank card, wait for approval, print the confirmation, and present it at the airport for departure to Sri Lanka.
– United Arab Emirates (UAE): Emirates and Etihad are the two UAE airlines offering flights from Vietnam. Emirates flies directly to Dubai, while Etihad flies to Abu Dhabi. If you use tickets from these airlines, you can easily apply for a visa online or contact their office in HCMC for detailed guidance. You can also purchase Stop Over packages for up to 96 hours, which include visa arrangements if you have a layover in the UAE.
– Iran: Ordinary Vietnamese passports can obtain visas at Iranian borders valid for 17 days and costing 50 USD. Information regarding entry and exit at Tehran, the capital, requires you to bring passport photos for visa on arrival. However, in some cases, they may not collect photos.
– Many African countries, including Senegal, issue visas online. Travelers who register online will receive a visa application form, fill it out, submit it at the border, and receive a visa on arrival. The fee is 50 Euro.
* Visa-Free Countries/Territories
Algeria, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Romania, and Cuba are among the countries granting visas to Vietnamese passport holders with remaining validity and exempt from fees.
* Note: Passport validity of at least 6 months is required for all cases.
Source: Ngôi sao
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourJune 27, 2014
