Vietnam entry requirements
What documents do I need to enter Vietnam?
One of the main requirements that foreign travelers must comply with is having a Vietnam eVisa if their nationality and trip purpose require them to have one.
Thanks to measures taken by the government, you can be eligible for an online visa or eVisa. This is the most convenient application method: you will have your approved travel authorization before reaching the border. However, having an approved eVisa doesn’t guarantee entry; the final decision rests with Vietnamese authorities.
There are various types of eVisa for Vietnam, such as the 30-day single entry tourist visa or the multiple entry 90-day tourist visa.
If you are not eligible for an eVisa, you will have to get your travel permit at the nearest Vietnamese embassy. Additionally, while a visa on arrival is available (only if you bring with you a visa approval letter), it often involves long queues and wait times at the airport, making online application a preferable alternative.
Other Vietnam travel requirements
Other travel requirements include:
- Recent photograph.
- Valid passport.
- Yellow fever certificate, if you are coming from a country with risk of transmission.
- It is strongly advised to have travel insurance of up to $10,000.
Does my passport need to be valid for 6 months to enter Vietnam?
Yes, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, it must not have any damage and have 2 empty pages.
Do you need proof of health insurance to enter Vietnam?
You don’t need proof of health insurance to enter Vietnam. Previously, because of COVID-19, the country made travel insurance mandatory, but it is no longer required.
However, it is highly advisable to travel insured. Most policies are affordable and cover a wide range of mishaps (medical emergencies, lost, stolen or damaged items, evacuation and repatriation, and more).
What vaccines do I need before traveling to Vietnam?
There are no mandatory vaccines for traveling to Vietnam, unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic. In such cases, you must have this vaccine and provide proof of it.
Although having specific vaccines is not a Vietnam travel requirement as such, there are some recommended vaccines for Vietnam. They include: Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus-Polio, Typhoid Fever and Japanese Encephalitis and Influenza. You can check the information on Vietnam by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get further information on vaccines and other health-related matters.
In rural areas of Vietnam there is a risk of malaria and the recommended prevention in these high-risk zones is Type IV. The timing of your medication regimen may vary depending on the specific medicine prescribed. It’s important to initiate the course several days before your journey, continue taking it during your trip, and follow through with the prescribed duration after your return. Ask your doctor to determine the appropriate malaria medication for your situation.
It is also highly recommended to pack insect repellent, sunscreen, paracetamol or other general antibiotics, anti-malarial tablets, and medication for treating diarrhea in case of emergencies.
We recommend asking your doctor or medical travel center for up-to-date information on diseases.
What medicines are not allowed in Vietnam?
Vietnam has restrictions and special control on some medicines it classifies as ‘addictive’ or ‘psychotropic’. Medications to treat addiction, anxiety, depression, insomnia and other conditions are classified as such. Upon entry and exit you will need to declare them.
People with medication should have the doctor’s prescription and a letter stating that they are required to take the medication. The prescription should be:
- in English or Vietnamese
- include your name and age
- list the medicine name, volume and dosage
- include the doctor’s signature or address
The medication must be in its original packaging. Keep in mind that some medicines can be hard to find in Vietnam or they can be fake.