Vietnam’s Immigration Authorities have slashed foreign entry visas, to come into effect at the end of November 2015 – making it easier (and much cheaper) to visit the country! Here are the details behind the decision, and what it means for your travel plans.
It’s good news once again for travellers bound for Vietnam – after lifting visa requirements for five European nationalities earlier in 2015, Vietnam has now slashed all entry visa fees to make it even easier for international travellers. Fees for one-month and three-month single and multiple entry visas are all enjoying a major price drop, which comes into effect at the end of November, 2015.
For stays of one month or less…
If you’re only planning on staying in Vietnam for a month or less, visa entry fees originally set at US$ 45 for a single entry, one-month validity visa are now US$ 25. You’ll still need to apply for the visa ahead of time – either through a local Vietnamese consulate, via the website or with visa services – but now will only pay this reduced fee on arrival at the airport.
For stays of three months or less…
For longer journeys through Vietnam, the visa fee for the three month, single entry visa dropped from US$ 95 to now US$ 50. This allows you to stay and travel within Vietnam for a period of up to three months – but is limited to travel within the country. Leaving the country voids your visa, and you will need to re-apply for a visa when returning to the country, even if its on the same trip.
For return travel to Vietnam from Laos and Cambodia…
If you’ve already entered Vietnam on a tourist visa, but continue your travels onto Laos and Cambodia before heading back to Vietnam for your trip home, the original US$ 45 is now only US$ 5. Remember that this is limited to those returning to Vietnam for the transfer back to their home countries. Extended travel back in Vietnam after a visit to Laos and Cambodia will require a multiple-entry visa.
Single entry or multiple entry?
Even after the changes in visa fees, most will be stumped to decide if they need a single or multiple entry visa. Before deciding between a single entry and a multiple entry visa, it’s important to know your travel plans.
If you have an inbound and outbound ticket booked – but no clear itinerary between those dates – it’s often less hassle to simply pay for a multiple-entry visa in case you’d like to leave Vietnam and then return. Two single-entry visas will add up to the cost of a multiple entry visa, but having a multiple entry up-front will minimise the extra work you would need to do to re-apply for a visa from outside of the country.
