Vietnam Visa Requirements for Tourists
Tourism is one of Vietnam's fastest-growing industries. Drawn by dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches, ancient temples and excellent food, approximately 4.5 to 4.6 million international tourists are expected to visit Vietnam in 2010. Based on statistics from previous years, about 8 or 9 percent of those tourists will likely be from the US. Between 1999 and 2004, the tourist industry grew 63 percent.
In 2010, the Vietnamese government has declared a National Year of Tourism. That means additional festivals and celebrations, especially in the capital city of Hanoi, so this year is an especially good time to go.
If you're an American citizen, you will need a Vietnamese visa to travel to Vietnam. Apply for your Vietnamese visa well in advance, as you'll need to have it hand before you leave the US. Vietnam does not issue visas on arrival. If for some reason your airline actually lets you on the plane without a visa, if you arrive in Vietnam without one you'll be immediately deported.
To get a Vietnamese tourist visa, the following documents are required:
Your US passport
A completed Vietnamese visa application
A recent passport photo, taken within the past 6 months.
You can apply for your visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or use a private visa company.
Before you apply, there are a few more things you should know about getting a Vietnamese tourist visa:
By default, Vietnamese tourist visas only allow a single entry into the country. If your travel plans require you to cross back into Vietnam after exiting the country, make sure to specifically request a multiple-entry visa when you apply.
Travelers who plan to cross into Laos from Vietnam also need to ensure that the Vietnamese visa they are issued adheres to the passport. Some Vietnamese visas are detachable, and Vietnamese border officials remove them altogether when you leave the country. However, Laos border officials require a Vietnamese visa as documentation of your official departure from Vietnam before they will let you into the country.
About the Author
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.
Crossroads: The Illicit Timber Trade Between Laos and Vietnam
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