Useful information about Vietnam visa in 2018

Updated location of Vietnam Immigration Dapartment 2018

All Vietnam Embassies and Consulates abroad need permission of Vietnam Immigration Department before issuing any Vietnam visa or the other related documents.

1/ Vietnam Immigration Department (VID) is the official organization granting your visa

VID belongs to Vietnam Ministry of Public Security. Their functions focus on supervising, approving, or disciplining Vietnamese residents and foreigners’ immigration, immigrate to and from Vietnam. In conclusion, VID is major in these sections:

FOR PEOPLE IN VIETNAM

– Ordinary passport

– Comfirmation of Identified Card

– Permanent or temporary resident of other nationalities.

FOR OVERSEA VIETNAMESE AND FOREIGNERS

– Vietnam Visa, Vietnam Visa extension, Vietnam visa renewal

– Vietnam visa approval letter, Vietnam e-visa
– Vietnam temporary or permanent resident card

– Guarantee of Vietnam immigration

2/ Offices of Vietnam Immigration Department:

There are 3 official facilities of Vietnam Immigration Department in 3 regions of Vietnam: the North, the Center and the South.

– THE NORTH: Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Hanoi

  • Address: No 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi city.
  • Phone for support: 04 3825 7941.
  • Fax: 04 3824 3287.
  • Email: vnimm@hn.vnn.vn

– THE CENTER: Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Danang

  • Address: No. 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang city
  • Phone for support: + (84)7511-3823383

– THE SOUTH: Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Ho Chi Minh City

  • Address: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Telephone: (08).38.299.398
  • Fax: (08).38.244.075
  • Email: phongqlxnc@vnn.vn

How to apply visa on arrival with the Vietnam Immigration Department?

At-vietnam-immigration-departmentAt Vietnam Immigration Department

Source: Internet

– Step 1: Complete online visa application via licensed Vietnam visa service

– Step 2: The documents on behalf of their customers wil be submitted to the Vietnam Immigration.

– Step 3: The customer’s data will be verified by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Once they are checked, a approval letter will be issued and returned to Vietnam visa agent. The approval letter is format in JPG or PDF and sent to the applicants via email.

WORKING HOURS: Vietnam Immigration Department will start at 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM in the morning and 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM in the afternoon, from Monday through Friday, except the Vietnamese public holidays.

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Vietnam visa changes 2017

Applying for a visa is always a pain in the ass when you intend to travel abroad. Applying for a Vietnam visa for US citizens, too. In order to apply for a visa quickly and conveniently, it is important to keep up to date with the changes to your visa policy, before applying.

Applying Vietnam visa for US citizens in the past

Previously, from September 2016, US citizens only had applied for a 1-year visa, but by the beginning of 2017, this policy changed. In addition to the ordinary types of visa such as other nations’ ones, US citizens can also get a 1-year visa (multiple entries and a maximum staying period of 90 days),

Vietnam visa changes 2017 for US Citizens

According to the Government’s Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP dated January 25, 2017, stipulating the order and procedures for pilot issuance of e-visas for foreigners entering Vietnam, Vietnam officially tested the issuance of a visa for foreigners to Vietnam with a period of 1 month for the purpose of tourism, labor, commercial investment, and visit.

Accordingly, the foreigner only needs to fill out the information required by the Vietnam Immigration Department on the online form and then pay the visa fee according to regulations. The result is that the foreigner will be issued an electronic visa by the Immigration Department of Vietnam and the electronic visa code will be sent via email to the registrant so that the foreigner can complete entry procedures in Vietnam.

At 28 international border gates of Vietnam, including airfreight and some foreign land border gates, when making entry procedures, the tourists present the valid passport and electronic visa code for entry and exit inspection and entry permission, according to the law.

This is a major reform in administrative procedures as well as immigration procedures in order to simplify procedures to attract more and more foreigners to Vietnam for tourism in the coming years.

The ways to apply for Vietnam visa

Currently, US travelers have three ways to apply for a visa, including applying for a visa at the Vietnamese embassy in the US, applying for Vietnam e-visa and applying for a Vietnam Visa-on-arrival. The easiest way is to apply for a Vietnam Visa-on-arrival.

The process of applying for Vietnam Visa-on-arrival is very simple:

  1. US visitors visit https://visaonlinevietnam.com/apply-vietnam-visa-form and fill out the online application form.
  2. Pay the service fee to the supplier and wait for about 2 days.
  3. After 2 days, you will receive a Letter of Approval.
  4. Visitors print this letter and bring along with your passport, air ticket and baggage onto the flight to Vietnam.
  5. At the Vietnam airport where the tourists arrive, visitors present the Approval Letter, the valid passport to get a visa directly there, and then pay the stamping fee for immigrant staff as prescribed.

1. Documents need to prepare for Vietnam visa at Vietnam airport.

  • Passport must be not torn or blurred and valid for at least 06 months;
  • You must have a letter of entry issued by Vietnam Immigration Department. It allows you to enter and get a visa at an international airport in Vietnam. This is granted by the Immigration Department and issued by an individual or organization.

Note: If the tourist is the subject to visa exemption, it does not require the entry document.

2. The procedures for picking up visa at an international airport of Vietnam?

  • Present the passport;
  • Present the entry document (printed copy on paper)
  • At the airport, fill in the form which is instructed by the Immigration Officer.
  • Pay the visa fee at the airport according to regulations: 25$ for 01-month visa and 50$ for 03-month visa (Vietnam dong is also accepted).

Here is some information about applying for a visa for US travelers. Full information can be found here: Vietnam Visa Guide for US Citizens. Wish you apply successfully and smoothly!

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Which kind of Vietnam Visa do you need to apply?

It became a very hard job to find trustworthy pages when searching for Visa information online and a lot of scams are out there. They miss-use migration, embassy etc. in their domain name to let them appear official but they are not!

There are only 2 official Visa websites managed by the Vietnamese government:

You can find a lot of information on these websites, but the websites are slow and it takes a long time to find out which Visa you exactly need. That’s why I recommend to start answering the questions below.

1. Which Visa do you need?

Ask yourself these 3 questions to determine which visa you need.

1.1 Visa Exempted?

If you are a citizen of one countries below, you do not need a Visa in Vietnam as long as your stay doesn’t exceed the maximum number of days.*

You also don’t need a Visa If the only place you are visiting is Phu Quoc.**

Max duration Exempted countries
30 days Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore
21 days Philippines
15 days Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russian, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK
14 days Brunei, Myanmar

*When re-entering Vietnam, the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit

**When you are only visiting Phu Quoc and your stay is less than 30 days, you don’t need a Visa. This exemption is also valid for transit through other international border gates of Vietnam.

Check the Official government website for the complete list of exempted countries.

1.2 Staying less than 30 days?

Do you stay less than 30 days in Vietnam and is your country not eligible for the Visa exemption?

Check the official e-visa website to find out if your nationality is eligible for e-Visa.

  • Your country included in the list: Go to e-Visa Application process
  • Your country is not included in the list: Answer question 1.3

1.3 Staying more than 30 days or want a multi-entry visa?

When you want to stay over 30 days or want to apply for a multiple-entry Visa you have to apply for a Letter of Approval.

You also need to apply for this letter when your nationality is not eligible for an e-Visa.

To apply for this letter, you have 3 options:

  • Apply for a Letter of Approval which gives you the right to buy a Visa on Arrival when entering Vietnam
  • Get your Visa at the Vietnamese Embassy in your own country
  • Let an agency arrange your Visa

2. How to apply for your Visa

2.1 E-Visa Application process

Starting from February 2017, Vietnam started a 2 year pilot with electronic Visas. Citizen from 46 countries are eligible to apply for this single-entry Visa.

The 30 day Visa costs $25 and the application process takes about 3 business days.

Official E-Visa website

Vietnam visa guide

Visit the official government website to apply for the e-Visa.

Step 1

  • Upload passport + portrait photo (4x6cm).
  • Fill out personal details.
  • Provide information about your stay (length, arrival, departure etc.).

Step 2

  • Confirm information filled out.

Step 3

  • Pay the $25- fee online. Your application will be processed in 3 business days.
  • Accepted international cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB

If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension after you entered Vietnam. However, if you already know that you will stay longer than 30 days, it is cheaper to apply for a 90 days Visa on arrival.

Important notes:

  • Don’t forget to check if your country is included in the list of 46 countries before applying. Your payment will not be refunded if you are not eligible for an e-Visa.
  • Make sure your picture is clear, you look into the camera, you aren’t wearing glasses and the picture has the right format (4x6cm).
  • You can test your photo on this official government website, but unfortunately the website often fails to finish the test.
  • You can enter from 28 international checkpoints (land, ferry and air). See the full list here.

Application tips:

  • Intended temporary residential address in Vietnam: Book a stay for your first day and use this address.
  • Intended length of stay in Vietnam (number of days): If you are not sure when you will leave Vietnam, use the maximum number of days allowed to stay (30 days).
  • Exit through checkpoint: If you do not have a (flight) ticket out of the country fill out the city from which you expect to exit.

2.2 Letter of Approval (Visa on Arrival)

Citizen of countries who are not eligible for an e-Visa need to apply for a Letter of Approval. You need to show this letter at the airport to get a Visa stamp/Visa on Arrival.

Another reason to apply for a Letter of Approval is when you intend to stay over 30 days or want to apply for a multi-entry Visa.

The lowest price I could find to get this Letter of Approval is $6. Note that this letter of approval is not your Visa! It is just a simple letter that includes your name.

When entering Vietnam, show this letter to the migration officers at the airport and pay $25. This gives you the right to get the Visa stamp on your passport, which allows you to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days.

If you don’t have an e-Visa or Letter of Approval, the officers will refuse your entry to Vietnam!

Below you find an overview of the most common Visas.

Type of entry 30 days 90 days Stamp fee
Single-entry $6 $15 $25
Multiple-entry $6 $20 $50

The prices are based on the official stamp fees and costs for the letter of approval from cheapvietnamvisa.net. A 30 day Visa will cost you $31 in total. $6 for the Letter of Approval and the $25 stamp fee.

I have to admit that the website looks a bit dodgy, but for me it worked really well and I also find good reviews about this website.

Price table of cheapvietnamvisa

vietnam visa price

If you don’t trust this website you can also use Visaonlinevietnam.com (recommended by Lonely Planet). However, fees are more expensive for the same service. The simplest options (30 days, single entry) start from $20.

Important notes:

  • Besides your Letter of Approval you will need 2 portrait photos to get your Visa stamped.
  • Make sure you bring $25 or its equivalent in EUR or VND in cash. Using an ATM before the migration is not possible!
  • The Vietnamese government requires to have at least 10 names on the list of approval. This means your name will be visible for other people on this list as well. If you want more privacy, you can pay $6-$10 extra to get a private letter.
  • With a Letter of Approval, you can officially only enter Vietnam by airport. In some cases you can also enter over land though. Always double check with the organization that issued your Letter of Approval.

2.3 Visa on Arrival from Agency or Embassy

There are only two reasons why you should consider to get your Visa at the Embassy or at an agency:

  1. You are entering Vietnam over land
  2. You are arriving at another airport than Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang or Phu Quoc

If one of the 2 situations apply to you, you can double check if the issuing company for your Letter of Approval allows this. If they don’t allow this, you should apply for your Visa at the Embassy in your country or at an Agency.

Note: With this option, you don’t need to get the airport stamp anymore when you arrive in Vietnam. However, applying for a Visa at an Agency or Embassy will always be more expensive. Also, you will either have to visit the Embassy /Agency or send them your passport.

For more details check out the website of the Vietnam Embassy or local agency in your country.

3. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Return ticket required?

An outbound flight or bus ticket from Vietnam is required, but in most cases they won’t ask you. If you don’t have this ticket, officials can refuse you from the flight to Vietnam or on arrival at Vietnam Airport. As a back-up you can always book a bus ticket outward of Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) on Baolau for just 270.000 VND (€10).

  • How long should my passport be valid?

Vietnam law requires the Visa expire date to be at least 30 days before the passport expire date. Keep in mind that airlines require your passport to be valid for at least another 6 months.

  • Can I enter Vietnam after the starting date or before the exit date of the Visa?

Yes, you can enter or exit Vietnam on any date within the validity period of your Visa.

  • What are the fees you have to pay for overstaying?

Vietnam doesn’t officially report these fees, but expected to pay around $25 p/day. You can prevent these fees by extending your Visa in Vietnam, but expect this to take over 5 days. Visit a local agency or the eVietnamVisa to extend your Visa while in Vietnam.

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Tips to saves money when travel to Vietnam for Canadian

Vietnam is one of the most bountiful countries and has been an extremely exciting tourist destination in Southeast Asia. You would easily fall in love with this amazing country, the land of ancient secrets with vibrant culture, hearty people. Furthermore, Vietnam has spectacular landscapes with the diverse ecosystem, exotic food and delightful traditions.

This country as a lovely contrasting picture: chaotic cities and peaceful villages, majestic mountains and tranquil beaches. Spending as long as possible in this country then you would find out there are so many things you want to learn about Vietnam. Absolutely, exploring Vietnam and you will never regret because you will have the most rewarding travel experiences ever in your life.

So how much should you, Canadian travelers, budget for a Vietnam journey? Here are the expenses for a trip from cheap to luxury (high-end).

6 basic expenses for Vietnam travel

1. Vietnam visa for Canadians

Vietnamese visa for canadian
Vietnam visa for Canadians

It is compulsory to obtain a visa for traveling to Vietnam. There are three ways to get Vietnam visa for Canadian citizens.

  • Applying visa at Vietnam Embassy in Canada: this is the traditional way and you have to visit the Vietnam Embassy in your home country then follow the procedure to apply for the visa and you have to make sure that your passport is valid at least 6 months but this method is relatively complicated and it takes a lot of time.
  • E-visa: According to the recent Vietnam Government decree regarding immigration (2/16/2017), the nationals of 46 countries can apply for Vietnam’s E-visa (electronic visa) during pilot period. Canada is in the list of country that allowed e-visa issuing. However, Vietnam E-visa is just valid for maximum of 30 days and single entry.
  • Visa on Arrival (VOA): this method has been the most popular in recent years because it is extremely convenient, affordable and can save your time and money. You can easily submit the application online by filling out the form online and it merely takes 5 minutes then after 2 working days, you will get the visa approval letter via email. Click for details on How to get Vietnam visa on arrival for Canadians.

2. Flights from Canada to Vietnam

You can book a flight to Vietnam from online agencies or purchase directly at local airline agencies. Depending on your budget and conditions, there are variety airline brands for you to choose such as Vietnam Airlines, China Southern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, Eva Air, Air Canada, Korean Air and so on. The flight tickets prices are from 800 USD – 2.000 USD (1.000 CAD – 2.600 CAD)

3. Vietnam Accommodations (hostel, hotel and resort) for Canadians    

  • Cheap: 8 USD (10.5 CAD) person/night
  • Mid-Range: 21 USD (27.57 CAD) person/night
  • Luxury: from 70 USD (91.92 CAD) person/night

4. Transportation in Vietnam (local transports + intercity transports)

  • Cheap: 8 USD (10.5 CAD)
  • Mid-Range: 22 USD (28.9 CAD)
  • Luxury: 73 USD (95.87 CAD)

5. Vietnamese Food and Drinks (for one day)

  • Cheap: 6 USD (7.88 CAD)
  • Mid-Range: 12 USD (15.76 CAD)
  • Luxury: 25 USD (32.84 CAD)

6. Entertainment in Vietnam (entrance tickets, shows, etc.)

  • Cheap: 4 USD (5.25 CAD)
  • Mid-Range: 10 USD (13.13 CAD)
  • Luxury: 35 USD (45.95 CAD)

6 Saving money tips for Canadian travelers to Vietnam

1. Try local and street food to save your cost in Vietnam

Try local street food to save your Vietnam travel cost

Try local street food to save your Vietnam travel cost

Honestly, the food you taste in Vietnamese restaurants in Canada is definitely different from the “authentic food” in Vietnam. In order to experience the fantastic local food, just go out on the street then you will be lost in the foodie heaven. Moreover, the price of street food is incredibly cheap and you can try many perfect dishes at $10.

For example, a bow of “pho” (flat rice noodle soup) costs around $2, price of a load of “banh mi” (Vietnamese sandwich) is $1, $2 for a dish of “bun cha” (rice noodle with grilled pork) and much more lovely dishes have price in region of $5.

2. Book Vietnam accommodations earlier

Book Vietnam accommodations early to save cost of Vietnam trip

Book Vietnam accommodations early to save cost of Vietnam trip

If you book your accommodation as early as possible, you will get the reasonable price and avoid the peak tourist season. Instead of booking hotels, you can consider booking a guesthouse or homestay at a cheaper price.

3. Bargain in Vietnam

Bargain hard in Vietnam to save Vietnam travel cost

Bargain hard in Vietnam to save Vietnam travel cost

Actually, foreign tourists tend to be charged at a higher price for some services and goods compared to the locals like taxi, cyclo (three wheel bicycles), street food, clothes and souvenirs. Therefore, you should always consider prices of anything before purchasing and bargain harder to get affordable prices.

4. Look for attractions with free entrances

Look for attractions with free entrances to save cost of Vietnam travel

Many tourist attractions in Vietnam do not require admission fee, hence, if you want to save the money, you should find out these places before traveling.

5. Save money for transportation in Vietnam

Save money for transportation in Vietnam

Save money for transportation in Vietnam

Another tip to save money is to choose the right transportation when you want to travel around the country. In terms of fly, you can find cheaper tickets if you avoid peak time such as national holidays, summer holidays.

For the long journey, air flight is the most convenient way and don’t worry about the price because you can fly with low-cost airlines of Vietnam like VietJet, Jetstar Pacific, the price of tickets is about $60. Moreover, during the promotional time, you would get zero fare tickets.

You also can consider a late-night travel by booking sleeper buses or trains in order to save money for a night’s stay at hotel.

In the big cities of Vietnam, if you want to get around places, so the public bus is an ideal choice, the cost of a trip is only 7,000 VND (~0.3 USD). Using Grab instead of traditional taxis to get a reasonable price and avoid scam.

Actually, travel by walking is the best way to experience more and save expenses on transportation fee.

6. Take a Vietnam package tour

Actually, there are some tourist destinations in Vietnam you should have a guide like trekking tour to the mountainous, large caves, rain forests or discovery tours. It is easier and more convenient for you to explore Vietnam, especially when you only have a short time. Therefore, Vietnam package tours would be an ideal choice.

Suggested Vietnam itinerary for Canadians

This is a suggested itinerary with estimated travel expenses (from budget to luxury) that based on the most favorite places of Canadian Travellers.

Hanoi trip: 2 days

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is over 1,000 years old so there is no denying Hanoi represents the most cultural and ancient cities in the World. It is a fascinating mix of the East and the West which is the vestiges and influences of the invasions in the past.

One thing is inevitable that if you visit Hanoi for the first time you would get culture shock a bit because of the chaotic city Centre, insane traffic, crazy drivers, and pollution. However, you will equally be impressed by the fantastic street food, vibrant nightlife, lovely locals, unique architecture and wonderful tradition.

Moreover, there are a lot of interesting tours in Hanoi such as cuisine walk tour, Hanoi tour on motorbike, full day cycling tour and cooking class with master chief.

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $6.50 (CA$8.50) $18 (CA$24) $53 (CA$70)
Food and Drinks $4.87(CA$6.4) $13 (CA$17) $32 (CA$43)
Transportation $2 (CA$2.65)    $5.5 (CA$7.24)   $16 (CA$21)
Entertainment $2.66 (CA$3.5) $7.88 (CA$10) $27 (CA$36)

 Ha Long Bay tour: 2 days

Ha Long is in the Northeast of Vietnam, 70 kilometres from Hanoi so you can go there by taking a coach or car. In recent years, Ha Long Bay has been one of the most iconic tourist destinations; it is the 7th Wonders of nature in the world.
Ha Long Bay is unique and there is nowhere else like it in the world. Its spectacular beauty will take your breath away, 1500 rainforests topped limestone karsts different shapes and sizes rising out of emerald waters.

No visit to Vietnam would be perfect without joining Halong Tours. Have you ever dreamt about a romantic feeling when floating on turquoise water, witnessing sunrise or sunset and tasting fresh seafood with your beloved? Why don’t make your dream become true in Halong Bay – one of the great natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $9.36 (CA$12.43) $21 (CA$27.9) $41 (CA$54.4)
Food and Drinks $2.37 (CA$3.14) $6 (CA$8) $12 (CA$16)
Transportation $2.25 (CA$2.98) $5.14 (CA$6.8) $10 (CA$13)
Entertainment $6.43 (CA$8.5) $15 (CA$19.92) $32 (CA$42)

Hoi An travel: 3 days

Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast, and it is well-known for UNESCO well-preserved Ancient Town. Visiting Hoi An you will get lost in a land of fairy tales.

Just imagine…You are getting into a fanciful town with the cobbled lanes and around you are hundreds of colourful lanterns. The idyllic river flows through the town with the amazing bridges link both sides of the town. Wow! It is stunning scenery. You will be unable to resist and might think that is unreal.

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $3.4 (CA$10.43) $9.15 (CA$30.55) $78 (CA$103)
Food and Drinks $4.83 (CA$5.18) $9.02 (CA$11.98) $20.8 (CA$27)
Transportation $1.05(CA$5.06) $15 (CA$19.92) $67 (CA$90)
Entertainment $1.06 (CA$4.09) $8.51 (CA$11.30) $26 (CA$34.5)

Da Lat trip: 2 days

Đà Lạt or Dalat is the capital of Lam Dong province in Vietnam. The city is located 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level on the Langbian Plateau in the southern parts of the Central Highlands region. In Vietnam, Da Lat is a popular tourist destination. Da Lat’s specific sights are pine forest with twisting roads and tree marigold blossom in the winter. Da Lat has spring-like weather and people call it “City of Eternal Spring.”

Exploring Dalat with some adventure activities, you will never regret.

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $5.76 (CA$7.6) $15 (CA$19.92) $44 (CA$58.46)
Food and Drinks $3.9 (CA$5.1) $9 (CA$11.95) $18 (CA$23.91)
Transportation $1.58(CA$2.09) $4.16 (CA$5.5) $12 (CA$15.94)
Entertainment $4.49 (CA$5.96) $12 (CA$15.9) $36 (CA$47.83)

 Nha Trang tour: 3 days

Nha Trang is the capital of Khánh Hòa Province, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang is well known for its beaches and scuba diving and has developed into a popular destination of Vietnam for international tourists, attracting large numbers of backpackers, as well as more affluent travellers on the south-east Asia circuit, it is already very popular to Vietnamese tourists, with Nha Trang Bay widely considered among the world’s most beautiful bays.

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $3.4 (CA$4.5) $9.15 (CA$12.15) $26 (CA$34.55)
Food and Drinks $4.83 (CA$6.41) $10.85 (CA$14.41) $20 (CA$26.57)
Transportation $1.05(CA$1.93) $2.90 (CA$3.85) $8.7 (CA$11.6)
Entertainment $1.06 (CA$1.40) $3.04 (CA$4.03) $9.6 (CA$12.7)

Ho Chi Minh city trip: 2 days

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) aka Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam by population. This is a city of mixed culture from the classic French architecture to the modern skyscrapers. HCMC is also the business capital of Vietnam, it has a rich history and vestiges of war. It now has been growing rapidly.

Estimated expenses Cheap Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $9.6 (CA$12.7) $28 (CA$37.20) $93 (CA$123.5)
Food and Drinks $4.5 (CA$5.9) $11 (CA$14.41) $26 (CA$34.55)
Transportation $1.82(CA$2.41) $5.26 (CA$6.98) $17 (CA$22.5)
Entertainment $3.64 (CA$4.83) $10 (CA$13.28) $31 (CA$41.19)

 

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Sir Stamford Raffles Founded Singapore

The arrival of one man , Stamford Raffles , changed everything

Singapore gained full independence in 1965 and it has come a long way. The island was once known as Temasek and was settled back in the mists of time by Sri Tri Buana , who established Singapura and he named it Lion City , after he sighted a lion in the region.

His descendants ruled Lion City for five generations until the last ruler was forced to flee when the Javanese attacked. By the 19th century , seafarers who roamed the region created a few settlements on the island , and some enterprising Chinese migrants established plantations.

The arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles changed everything. To counter the Dutch trading monopolies in the East , Raffles signed an agreement with the Sultan of Johor , Malaysia. This allowed the British to establish a trading port in Singapore. This marked the beginning of Singapore’s modern era. Sir Stamford Raffles turned the island into a thriving trading post between the East and the West.

Within three years of Raffles’ landing in 1819 , the population numbered more than 10,000 , of which 60 percent were Malays. By 1860 , at the first census , the population exceeded 80,000 and was mostly Chinese. Other migrants included Tamils , Ceylonese , Javanese as well as Europeans. The foundations were setup for Singapore’s remarkable growth.

After Raffles , Singapore prospered for many years under the British. In 1928 , however , rubber and tin prices collapsed and thousands lost their jobs in the Great Depression. Although considered impregnable by the Allies during the Second World War , Singapore was quickly overrun by the Japanese in 1942.

After peace in 1945 , Singaporeans began planning for independence. The British granted Singapore self-governance in 1959. An attempt in 1963 to merge with Malaysia failed due to the regional tensions the alliance created.

Eventually in 1965 Singapore became an independent nation. Strong leadership led Singapore to become a safe , clean , successful little country with a big reputation.

Hope you enjoyed reading this post about Sir Stamford Raffles.

Source from http://hellosingapore.info

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Everything about Vietnam visa for Spanish in 2018

If you, being a Spanish citizen, intend to stay in other countries within 15 days and your arrival date does not fall within 30 days following your exit date of your last staying in Vietnam with visa exemption, then you do not need to apply Visa. Otherwise, a visa is compulsory for your trip.

There are, at the moment, up to three ways to apply Vietnam visa for Spanish, each of which has different advantages and disadvantages. You can consider which is the best way so you can have a visa on hand and enjoy the journey to new land.

 1. What is the VOA?

It is the most common strategy that almost all travelers choose when entering Vietnam by air.

Vietnam visa for Spainish
Vietnam visa on arrival for Spanish citizens

Advantages of Vietnam visa on arrival for Spanish:

Firstly, it has been requested because of its convenience. Spanish are allowed to pick up the visa as soon as you land at Vietnam international airport, which means you do not need to visit Vietnam embassy. This Vietnam visa type saves a lot of time and money as it prevents you from waiting outside the Embassy for hours just to get the official visa.

Secondly, visa on arrival is secure since it guarantees your privacy when it does not demand any original document to the Immigration Department of Vietnam for visa approval.

Disadvantages:

However, visa on arrival is acceptable for air travelers only. Thus, if you want to get to Vietnam in land or sea way, you will have to get visa at Vietnam embassy traditionally.

Another disadvantage of visa on arrival is that sometimes the time for getting visa stamped can be long and applicants will have to wait at the long queue at Vietnam airport.

Click here for full process of Vietnam visa on arrival for Spanish.

2. Get Vietnam visa in Vietnam consulate:

Advantages of Vietnam visa applied at Vietnam embassy:

One of the first advantages is that you already have your visa stamped on your passport before the flight. In addition, you can deal with Vietnam Embassy in person directly.

Disadvantages:

However, this type of visa has some disadvantages. It not only has your personal information sent away but also takes you at least 5 days to get your visa. It can be self applied which is considered an advantage but this leads to difficulty for those who lives far from Vietnam Embassy.

To discover if there is any office of Vietnam Embassy/Consulate close to your place, see https://visaonlinevietnam.com/embassies-view-50

3. E-visa

Advantages of E-visa to Vietnam:

An e-Visa can be easily obtained anywhere as long as Spanish visitors are provided with an internet connection. Applying E visa saves much time that you would otherwise spend on visa applications.

Moreover it’s cost saving and time saving as your personal information is considered online, no more face to face with the employees in Vietnam Immigration Department just like Visa on arrival.

Disadvantages:

However, the E-visa covers 30 days in Vietnam with single entry and for tourist purpose only. It takes you no sooner than 3 working days to know whether your Vietnam visa application is approved or not.

Since this kind of visa of which some certain airlines may not be aware, they may refuse it is also not familiar to immigration staff, you should check with your airlines in advance to avoid troubles.

Finally, each ways of applying visa has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, it is a great base for you to make your own decision on which one is best for you.

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The Full guide to get Vietnam visa for Australians Update.

Do Australians need a visa to visit Vietnam? If yes, how they can obtain it? These are the questions of interest that all Australians want to find the answer before their trip to Vietnam. And these are also the questions with which this post will deal.

Do Australians need a visa to Vietnam?

The answer is NO if:

  1. They directly travel to Phu Quoc island of Vietnam from a foreign territory or country;
  2. Stay there for no more than 30 days; and
  3. Leave the island directly for a foreign territory or country.

 

Otherwise, a valid visa is required.

How to obtain Vietnam visa for Australians if required?

It can be said that at the moment, getting Vietnam visa for Australians are very easy as they may have two ways to handle this work, namely:

  1. Obtain visa via Vietnam Embassy; OR
  2. Obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival.

Which way is better? Which one should you choose? Please find the answers in the following comparison between these two ways.

  1. Similarities

Both these options offer a valid and legitimate visa to Vietnam.

  1. Differences

2.1. Beneficiaries

While the former option is available for all those traveling to Vietnam, the latter supports those traveling to Vietnam by air only.

2.2. Issuing Authority

The visa obtained in the former way is issued by the Vietnam Embassy; while that in the latter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department.

2.3. Steps to apply

For Visa at Vietnam Embassy:

The procedure to obtain this kind of visa may vary from embassy to embassy; depending on the embassy you are intended to work with. Some accept visa applications submitted via post, via a third party but some accept submission in person only.

Here is the common procedure and documents to obtain Vietnam visa in person at Vietnam embassy:

  1. Download the application form on the website of the embassy you are planned to apply for the visa with, fill it out and attached it with a photo;
  2. Prepare documents for application, including an application form, original passport, photos and visa fee and others as required by the embassy;
  3. Travel to the Embassy to submit application documents and pay for visa fee;
  4. Get the Appointment Letter and then leave there for home;
  5. Travel back to the embassy on the appointed date to pick up original passport and visa.

The visa processing time is normally 4 – 5 working days.

For Visa on Arrival

The process to get Visa on arrival is completely different. It requires no travel or no sending off original passport and other documents via post either. It just requires a device with internet access.

  1. Access to https://visaonlinevietnam.com/apply-vietnam-visa-form, and complete the form here (no document is required);
  2. Review to make sure all information is correct, and then make payment of service fee online;
  3. Wait for maximum 2 working days (for tourist visa) to get visa approval letter delivered to email together with the detailed guide to picking up full visa upon arrival at Vietnam airport;

  4. Get visa stamped upon original passport upon arrival at Vietnam airport (a few minutes at the airport).

2.4 Vietnam Visa fee

When using visa at the embassy, the travelers only need to pay visa fee once at Vietnam embassy; while visa on arrival requires travelers to pay 2 kinds of fee: service fee to be paid online while application for processing visa approval letter and the stamping fee to be paid in cash at Vietnam airport to pick up full visa there. The visa fee at embassy may vary from embassy to embassy, and it is informed only when you contact them directly. But the visa on arrival fee is clearly published on the website of service providers. Here is our total cost of Vietnam visa on arrival.

The total cost of the visa on arrival may be higher or lower than embassy visa cost, but it may save you a lot of money for travel or postal cost and also save you from many troubles.

2.5 Where and when to get the full visa

In the former way, you will pick up the visa at Vietnam embassy before your trip to Vietnam, while the latter lets you pick up full visa at Vietnam airport upon your arrival there to start your trip.

This is a full comparison between the current 2 ways to obtain a Vietnam visa for Australia passport holders. We are sure that by reading here, you now already know which way is best for you.

Should you need any further information, please feel free to let us know

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Fastest way to get Vietnam visa in HK

Vietnam is a wonderful country with rich culture, amazing food and diverse views. But often tourists who wish to pay a visit are scared away by how expensive and troublesome it is to get a visa into the country. It costs almost HK$400 for a one-month single-entry visa and the Vietnam consulate-general also doesn’t offer any online application/reservation services – at least for the one in Hong Kong. Here in the post we will tell you the cheapest and easiest way to get a travel visa into the country – getting visa on arrival. For visa requirement and other ways to get a visa in Hong Kong, check out another one of our post here.

Vietnam visa in hk

Basically, visa on arrival allows you to get a visa electronically through local visa agency without having to make a trip to the Vietnam Embassy to collect the visa sticker. This way, it only costs as cheap as US$25 + VOA service fee (approx HK$200) to get a visa into Vietnam, a significant improvement from other options.

However, this service is only available for entry via air. So it’ll be Hanoi airport, Danang airport or Ho Chi Minh city airport. Let’s hope they expand this service to other ports soon.

Here are the procedures:

Find an agency that offers this service

There are tons of agencies online with different service charges. Just find one that you can trust. We chose www.Visaonlinevietnam.com and they’re reliable. Single tourist visa starts at $21 US.

apply vietnam visa for hk passport holders

Fill in the online application form

Fill in details of the traveler(s) and the trip.
A gentle reminder: you can enter Vietnam later, but not earlier than the arrival date you supplied to the agency.

Pay service charge
The service charge depends on the type of visa you are applying for. The most common visa – one-month single-entry visa will charge US$21 (HK$164) service fees if you are applying through Vietnam-Visa.Payment can be made online by Visa, Mastercard, Diner Club Card, JCB Card and American Express.

Get “Visa Approval Letter” through email

Depending on the urgency of getting a visa, you can choose different processing time with extra charges for faster application. But normally you will get a visa approval letter like the one below through email within 2 working days. I got the letter the night I applied through the agency.

 

Vietnam approval letter

 

Print out and Complete “Entry and Exit Form”

Print out an entry and exit form and complete it to save the time of completing it at the airport. Only the latest version of the form would work, so make sure you have the latest one.

Pick up when you arrival at Vietnam

Print and bring your approval letter, completed entry and exit form, along with two 4cm X 6cm passport photos. Hand the documents to the airport’s visa on arrival desk, wait and pick up your passport when they call your name. The visa desk should look like this:

Lines can get long especially during holiday seasons, so be prepare to wait. And there is always a risk of being rejected a visa. But such occasions are rare, and you can judge yourself whether saving some money is worth the risk. The stamp fee depends on the type of visa you are getting, and you can pay with US or Vietnam currency. Here are the prices if you are using the agency I used:

Vietnam visa fees

To View Vietnam visa fees, click here

Stamping fee is what you’d pay to the Vietnam government when you arrive at the airport. Bring cash USD!

View more: Get Express Vietnam visa in Hong Kong within 1 hour

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Vietnam Visa requirements for the Honduran, Honduras passport holders

🇻🇳 Vietnam Visa Requirements for Honduran Citizens (Honduras Passport Holders) – 2025 Update

If you’re a citizen of Honduras, you are required to obtain a visa before entering Vietnam for tourism, business, or other purposes.

✅ Visa Options for Honduran Passport Holders:

1. Vietnam E-Visa (Recommended)

Required Documents:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months, 2 blank pages)
  • A passport-size photo (white background, no glasses)
  • A scanned copy of passport bio page
  • Entry port and travel dates
  • Credit/debit card to pay the fee

Processing Time: 3–5 working days
Fee: Varies (approx. $25–$50 depending on the service provider and urgency)

2. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Air Travel Only

If you plan to fly to Vietnam, this option allows you to collect your visa at the airport.

Steps:

  1. Apply for a visa approval letter through VisaOnlineVietnam.com
  2. Receive the letter via email
  3. Bring to Vietnam:
    • Printed approval letter
    • 2 passport photos (4×6 cm)
    • Original passport
    • Stamping fee (USD $25–$50 depending on visa type)
  4. Get visa stamped at airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, or Nha Trang

📌 General Entry Requirements for Hondurans:

  • Passport valid 6+ months beyond your arrival date
  • Proof of accommodation or address in Vietnam
  • Return/onward flight ticket may be requested at entry
  • Completed visa application form (online or at airport)

💡 Tips for a Smooth Visa Application:

  • Apply 1–2 weeks in advance to avoid delays
  • Double-check passport validity and photo requirements
  • Use a reputable agency if unsure about the process

📞 Need Help?

VisaOnlineVietnam provides fast, secure, and guaranteed visa services for Honduran travelers.

  • 🌐 Website: VisaOnlineVietnam.com
  • 📧 Email: sales@visaonlinevietnam.com
  • 📲 WhatsApp: (+84) 968 18 77 18
  • 📞 USA Hotline: +1(972)-666-0676

Ready to explore Vietnam?
Let us help you get your visa easily – fast-track and emergency visa support available too! 🇭🇳✈️🇻🇳

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Express Vietnam visa on arrival in one hour

You just realized you need a visa to Vietnam a few hours before the departure time? You’re afraid that you will miss the flight? Do not worry. It can not happen if you use our Vietnam visa on arrival Express one hour service.

Express Vietnam visa for on hour

In Urgent case, contact us to get Express Vietnam visa one hour service, we working 24/24 and non-stop working

Express Vietnam visa in one hour

Express Vietnam visa one hour is the best urgent visa service for customers in emergency situation. The superiority of this service is super-fast process lasting in only one hour. Furthermore, the service is available 24/24 during the week. Anytime you desire a visa, you will get it right away with our immediate support.

The best way to request  one hour visa service is to call us at hotline +84 968 18 77 18. Our staff will give you short and clear directions on how to apply and pay the service fee. Do not worry too much about the time. The procedure of application submission and payment is very simple. You just need a couple of minutes to complete visa application form and pay the fee through online payment gateway. Since both of them are completed successfully, the visa approval letter will be quickly processed and emailed to you within less than an hour.

While awaiting the arrival of visa approval letter, you are advised to prepare the following documents: original passport, 1 passport-sized photo, completed entry and exit form (you could download here or receive along with visa approval letter), and stamping fee (USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry).

When you have visa approval letter at hand, just bring it along to get on plane and have visa stamp at arrival airport.

Update: From January 1st, 2015 we STOP providing 01 hour rush visa service at WEEKEND. The service now is available in office hours every weekday only.

Should you have any concerns about Express Vietnam visa process, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Emal: sales@visaonlinevietnam.com

Hotline: +84 839 20 24 26 or +84 968 18 77 18

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