Vietnam Visa for Indian Citizens – Requirements & Application Guide

Laura Amber, Senior Traveler, Italy

 A high-angle, wide-lens view of the Ho Chi Minh City skyline at twilight, featuring the illuminated Bitexco Financial Tower as a prominent landmark. The image is overlayed on the left with a white graphic containing the text

Recently, Vietnam has become the most popular destination for Indian tourists. There are numerous motives behind this. For example, it is a short flight (approximately four to five hours) from India. Moreover, the country offers numerous attractive places to almost any age and kind of traveler. As an Indian, you can also travel to the target country through direct flights. However, this requires you to get a suitable visa according to the purpose of your trip.

Besides, the application process for a Vietnam visa for Indians is relatively easy compared to other countries.

What does this article offer?

Therefore, the following article will help you learn the different types of visas you can apply for when traveling to Vietnam from India. In addition, it also explains the validity of each visa type.

When you apply for a Vietnam visa for Indians, make sure that you submit a set of specified visa supporting documents. You can find these legal requirements below in the article.

Information about Vietnam

The country is also called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV). Vietnam lies on the eastern coast of mainland Southeast Asia. Moreover, the country is popular for its Buddhist pagodas, beaches, cities, and rivers.

Furthermore, Hanoi is the capital. It is home to a huge marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Communist-era leader. Besides, the country has French colonial landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, history museums of the Vietnamese War, and Củ Chi tunnels made for Viet Cong soldiers.

Is Vietnam a poor or rich country?

The country has a mixed socialist-oriented market economy. It ranks as the 35th-largest economy by gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide. On the other hand, it has the 26th-largest economy from all over the world by purchasing power parity (PPP). Therefore, Vietnam is a lower-middle-income country, having a low cost of living.

Is the country good for travelers and tourists?

Yes, every corner of the country has something to offer to every age and kind of traveler. For example,

  • Central Vietnam is famous for its tunnels, greenery, and beaches.
  • Furthermore, the North side of the country has various cuisines, beautiful landscapes, and primitive architecture.
  • Attractive cities and the Mekong Delta make South Vietnam pleasing for travelers.

Is Vietnam a secure state for foreigners?

The country ranks 57th out of 163 countries in safety, according to the Global Peace Index (2019). Contrary to this, the United States is in the 114th position. So, the current Vietnamese society has a rare percentage of violent crimes.

What is a Vietnam Visa?

 The national flag of Vietnam, featuring a bright red background with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center, waves from a tall silver flagpole against a clear blue sky with light, wispy clouds.

A Vietnam visa is an official document or recognition from the government to allow foreigners to enter the country for legal purposes. So, if you wish to stay for three to six months in Vietnam, you must apply for a visa. It grants you a single entry to the target country. Moreover, the country has the best tourist places to explore if you want to travel to Vietnam as a tourist.

Besides, you can also engage in business activities such as attending meetings or conferences with Vietnamese employers. For this, you should apply for a business visa.

Typically, it is ideal to apply at least two weeks before your intended departure to provide sufficient time for visa processing. Another reason for timely submission is to avoid delays in getting the visa due to external and internal factors. So, make sure that you follow the given guidelines.

Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa to Travel to Vietnam?

Yes. Indian citizens must apply for a visa to travel to Vietnam. This is because the country does not allow Indians to enter the state visa-free. You can use this visa for tourism or business purposes.

Furthermore, as an Indian citizen, you can apply for a visa to Vietnam through the embassy or consulate in India or the visa application center. Besides, it is always advisable to get help from professionals when visiting the Embassy of Vietnam in India.

Different Types of Vietnam Visas for Indians

There are various types of visas available that you can apply for as an Indian citizen. Since Vietnam is not a Schengen country, therefore, the validity of each visa is different. The most common ones are listed below.

Tourist visa

If you want to visit Vietnam to spend some leisure time or explore the country’s beautiful places, you must apply for a tourism or visit visa. Please note that a single-entry tourist visa has a validity of one month. 

So, you must return to your home country before the visa expires. Also, note that a tourist visa does not allow you to work or study in the target country. This requires you to apply for a particular visa type.

Work visa

If Indian citizens want to travel to Vietnam for work purposes, they can use a work visa. For this purpose, the applicant should have a job offer letter from the company they wish to join. 

Moreover, the employer should also get a work permit from the Vietnam Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs before the application process. Besides, the validity of a work visa depends on the duration of the matter. However, the standard time limit is up to one year.

Student visa

You can use this type of visa if you are traveling to Vietnam for educational purposes. After getting admission into your target Vietnamese institution, you can apply for a student visa.

Furthermore, a student visa is valid for at least six months, depending on the duration of your program. You can extend it up to 12 months if needed. Furthermore, make sure that you submit additional supporting documents with your student visa application, including your admission letter, academic transcript, and proof of tuition fee payment.

Transit visa

If you are traveling through Vietnam to another target country, you should apply for a transit visa. This permit does not allow you to enter the country. However, you can stay at the airport for a specific period.

Business visa

You can travel to Vietnam from India for several business purposes. For example, this may include,

  • Attending business meetings
  • Signing a contract
  • Participating in conferences
  • Investing in business

Therefore, you should apply for a business visa to fulfill your purpose of visiting Vietnam. Besides, it is valid for at least one year for both single and multiple entries.

Legal Requirements for Vietnam Visa Application for Indian Citizens

 A close-up shot focused on a person's hand holding an orange pen over a clipboard with a document. The person is sitting in a crowded room with other people visible in the blurred background, suggesting a setting like a lecture, conference, or waiting area where notes or applications are being completed

One of the vital requirements for a Vietnam visa is to support your application by submitting the required documents. Therefore, make sure that you bring the following documents to start the visa application process for Indians as requested by the Embassy of Vietnam.

Visa application form

The first important visa requirement is to fill out an application form. You can download it from the embassy or consulate of Vietnam in India. Make sure that you complete it by including the required information. Moreover, do not forget to put your signature at the end of the application form.

Pictures

You should submit at least two to three passport-size pictures to the embassy. Also, they must have a white or light background with a dimension of 35*40mm. Moreover, photos should not be older than the last 3 months.

Passport

Another requirement is to submit your Indian passport with a validity of at least 6 months beyond your departure from the target country. In addition, it should have two to three blank pages to affix the visa stamp. Make sure that the passport is not older than the last ten years.

Visa approval letter

In case you want to apply for a visa on arrival, you must have an approval letter. You can get it through a reliable travel agency before starting the process.

Proof of accommodation

Hotel Booking For Visa Application

You also need to show that you have a place to stay in Vietnam. For this purpose, you can get a hotel booking for visa application​ or submit an invitation letter. You can also share the name and address of the chosen place. Other than that, a rental contract for an apartment or house can also be submitted as proof of accommodation. In case your trip is sponsored by someone else, do not forget to present a letter of sponsorship with the rest of the documents.

Flight tickets

PROOF OF FLIGHT RESERVATION

Another necessary item is the evidence of your departure from Vietnam. You can prove it with the help of getting flight tickets for visa application. This will show that you can exit the target country before your visa expires. 

Furthermore, information such as your flight number, booking ID, airline company name, passenger name record, etc, must be included on the flight tickets. Getting this document can be helpful to save yourself from financial loss in case your visa is rejected.

Travel and health insurance

 Travel Insurance For Schengen Visa Application

In addition, having travel and health insurance is important for your journey to Vietnam. This insurance policy will help you bear expenses related to medical emergencies. For example, this may include,

  • Hospitalization
  • Emergency
  • Evacuation
  • Repatriation

Other than that, the policy also bears the expenses related to luggage loss or flight cancellation.

You can get these documents from SFRV Travels at a reduced price. We provide visa and flight services to our customers from all over the world.

Proof of financial means

To support your stay in Vietnam, make sure to prove that you can bear the daily expenses for the entire duration of your trip. This may include costs related to food, accommodation, and transportation.

Moreover, you can prove your financial health by submitting documents such as,

  • Bank statements for the last six months
  • Company’s letterhead
  • A copy of the income tax returns for the last 3 years

Cover letter

cover letter for visa

You can disclose your travel details to the embassy by writing a cover letter. For example, this may include the purpose of your visit, the length of your stay, when you will come back, the planned set of activities, etc.

Stamping fee

Lastly, to stamp your visa on the passport, you should pay the stamping fee at the Vietnam airport. You can pay this fee in either Vietnamese Dong or US dollars. In addition, the embassy does not accept payments made through credit cards.

The standard stamping fee is as follows:

  • For a single-entry visa (1-3 months), you must pay 25 dollars
  • 50 dollars for a multiple-entry visa (1-3 months)

Where to Apply for a Vietnam Visa for Indians?

You can start the Vietnam visa application process for Indians using the following two methods.

  • The first method is to apply for a specific visa type through the Embassy of Vietnam in India. You can further learn the process in detail by visiting the embassy at the given address: EP-7A, Chandragupta Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India. This is an offline visa application method.

Vietnam Embassy in India

  • Secondly, you can apply for a visa through online means using a visa application center, VFS Global. However, please make sure recheck whether this visa application center supports the Vietnam visa for Indians or not. If not, you need to proceed with your visa application through the Vietnamese Embassy located in India.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa for Indians?

To apply for a Vietnam visa for Indians using the Vietnamese Embassy, make sure to follow the steps mentioned below.

  •  The first step requires you to search the website. For this purpose, go to the Google search bar and type the desired query. Among several results, choose the appropriate one. You can also visit the embassy in person to start the process.
  • After that, you need to specify the target country to which you want to travel. For instance, you can mention that India is your home country and Vietnam is your destination state. After that, make sure to proceed ahead.
  • The next step requires you to start the visa application process officially. For this purpose, ensure to choose the visa type according to the purpose of your visit to Vietnam. For instance, this could be a tourist visa, business visa, student visa, work visa, visit visa, etc.
  • After that, ask the respective consular officer to provide you with the relevant document checklist according to the purpose of your trip. This will make it easier for you to gather all the visa supporting documents as per the embassy guidelines. Also, ensure to translate the documents into the required language.
  • After completing the above step, you can initiate the process. For this purpose, you have to download the visa application form. For a tourist visa, you can fill out this visa application form. However, choosing a business visa will require you to complete a different/specific visa form. Make sure to visit the Vietnamese Embassy’s website to get the desired form.
  • Then, you need to schedule your appointment with the same embassy. This is compulsory to submit your documents, application form, and biometric data (including fingerprints and photos).
  • Next, when you visit the application center on the day of your appointment, you can pay the visa fee and submit your documents along with the application form. Moreover, the authorities may also want you to attend a short visa interview if it is required.
  • After that, head back to your home and wait for the answer. Meanwhile, you can also track the status of your application through the reference number received in your affirmation email.
  • Once the processing time is over, the embassy will notify you when you can pick up your passport.

Visa Processing Time for Vietnam from India

passport on table with visa stamps

The processing time refers to the period the embassy takes to review and verify your documents and allow you to enter the country legally. In addition, it also depends on various factors. For instance,

  • The visa type you apply for
  • Your nationality
  • The amount of workload the embassy receives

However, the standard processing time for business and tourism visas is almost seven to eight working days (one single week). Besides, this period can also be extended in rare cases, considering the factors discussed above. Besides, long-stay visa applications may take longer than this to reach a final decision.

So, you should apply for a Vietnam visa as early as you can to avoid any delays or problems throughout the process.

Vietnam Visa Application Fee for India

The Vietnam visa fees for Indians depend on several factors, including, 

  • The type of visa you want
  • The specific number of entries to the country within the validity of the visa
  • The mission or consulate through which you start the application process

Therefore, the standard application amount for a single-entry tourist or business visa is 2,150 INR. In addition, if you apply through a visa application center such as VFS Global, you must pay an additional amount of 600 INR for service charges.

As a result, a single-entry Vietnam visa for Indians may cost a total of 2,750 INR.

What Are the Common Reasons for Vietnam Visa Rejection from India?

After the processing time is over, you will either face approval or rejection. In case of a rejection, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for denial. For this purpose, we have discussed some of the common visa rejection reasons below and how we can avoid them.

Rejection reasons How to avoid them
Submitting fake documents can lead to visa rejection. Moreover, if you do not follow the document checklist and forget to fulfill a vital requirement, your application will be denied. Make sure that you go through the document checklist to ensure that all the requested documents are gathered and submitted to the embassy. This also depends on the chosen visa type.
Filling out the application form partially or providing wrong/inaccurate details will lead to the same outcome. This also includes leaving any field empty. For this purpose, you can ask for assistance from the visa officer at the embassy or the visa application center to help you out in filling out the form in case of confusion. Do not hesitate!
Furthermore, a poor travel history, such as visa violations or overstays, can also affect your future visa applications, as it raises red flags. You can eliminate this error by ensuring that you always stay true to yourself and follow the visa policies of the target country. Deviating from the rules for a couple of days can lead to serious consequences.
In addition, if your character certificate shows that you have been involved in criminal activities in the past and pose a serious threat to the national and public security of the target country, your application will be turned down. Moreover, the police clearance certificate (PCC) that you can get from the local police station in your home country should represent that you are a good human being and citizen. So, avoid getting involved in any illegal activity.
Lastly, a mismatch in the information and inconsistency in the travel dates throughout all the documents can make you suspicious in the eyes of the visa officer. Last but not least, make sure that you provide same information as given in the rest of the documents. Also, your name should be similar to the one appeared on your passport.

FAQs- Vietnam Visa for Indians

Indian residents applying for a Vietnam visa can go through this section to help find answers to typical queries.

1. Can Indians apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival?

Yes. As an Indian, you can apply for a visa on arrival upon reaching Vietnam. However, it is important to note that you must get a pre-approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department before flying to the target country.

For this purpose, you should apply for the visa online. As a result, the visa officer will send you the approval letter via email. Also, you cannot use this method to enter the country through land or sea. The approval letter will help you get the visa stamp upon arrival at the Vietnam airport.

2. What is a Vietnam E-visa?

A Vietnam E-visa is issued to foreign nationals by the Vietnam Immigration Department (VID). It is the abbreviation of an electronic visa, generated through an electronic system. 

Moreover, this visa has a validity of almost three months with the chance of single or multiple entries. You can pay the visa amount through the electronic payment gateway. Please note that this fee will not be returned to you even if your visa is rejected.

3. How long is a Vietnam E-visa valid?

An E-visa for Vietnam is valid for almost one to three months. The same applies to its types, i.e., single and multiple entries.

4. Can I hold forth my Vietnam visa?

Yes, you can. However, the requirements and the application process vary as per certain factors, including,

  • The visa type you hold when traveling to the country
  • Your specific situation

5. Can I apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival at the seaports?

No. The visa-on-arrival opportunity is available only if you fly to Vietnam from India by plane. Moreover, if you use any other methods, you should apply for a visa through the offline application method.

Furthermore, visitors are allowed to apply for VOA through the airports mentioned below.

  • Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
  • Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Danang Airport (Da Nang)

6. Is Vietnam a visa-free country for Indians?

Unfortunately, Vietnam is not a visa-free country for Indians. This means that they need to get permission from specific authorities to enter and live in the target country legally. However, other options, such as visa-on-arrival and eVisa, can be used to travel to Vietnam from India.

Conclusion

Traveling to Vietnam from India has been made simple with the introduction of eVisa and visa on arrival. Therefore, make sure that you fulfill all the requirements for a Vietnam visa for Indians to ace the process and get your visa on time. For this purpose, make sure that you are aware of your visit purpose and choose a suitable visa type. Mismatch in the visit purpose and the visa type you chose can lead to rejection of your visa application.

Also, do not forget to visit Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa to have your travel documents, such as a flight ticket, hotel booking, and travel medical insurance. Once approved, embark on your journey to Vietnam confidently.

Read also: 

Malaysia Visa for Indians→ Learn how Indians can apply for a Malaysia visa online, including eVisa requirements, application steps, and processing time.

South Korean Visa for Indians→ Discover the complete process for Indians applying for a South Korea visa, covering documents, eligibility, and visa types.

Hong Kong Visa for Indians→ Get detailed guidance on how Indians can apply for a Hong Kong visa, including application procedure, fees, and processing details.

 

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