Vietnam has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia in the past years, and both internationals and locals are discovering everything that Vietnam has to offer. The country is very diverse and the sites are quite spread out, so make sure you take your time when you travel here. One month is usually a good amount of time to spend in Vietnam. Although it may sound like a lot, you will find yourself busy with something to do everyday, and one month passes fast when you travel.
You will need to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country from Zimbabwe. As a citizen of Zimbabwe, you need a visa regardless of the length of your stay. This means that even if you are only planning to stay here for one week, a few days or even hours, you will need to get a visa. The immigration officers will deny you entry if you fail to show a visa approval letter. There are two ways you can apply for a visa and they are:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Zimbabwe? (No, citizens of Zimbabwe are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa)
From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NĐ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for an e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Zimbabwe national in this list, therefore, citizens of Zimbabwe should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Vietnam visa on arrival office in Da Nang Int’l Airport, Vietnam
This is the most preferred option for many travellers. If you live far away from the Vietnamese Embassy for example, or you do not want to send important documents such as your passport, this is a good option for you. It is also easy, quick and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you need your computer and internet. If you get a Visa on Arrival, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports: Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong. You can only travel by air if you get a VOA, meaning you can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, and so forth.
The process is very simple. What you need to do is fill in the Online Application form with all relevant information. What you need to state in the application form is:
- Your full name, as stated in your passport
- Date of Birth – The format they use in Vietnam is DD/MM/YY
- Your nationality – as stated in your passport
- Your passport number
- Date of Arrival – you can state a date of arrival and then arrive later, but not earlier
After you have filled this information out, you have to wait for a confirmation email which usually arrives within 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes, don’t forget to print it out so the immigration officers in Vietnam can stamp your passport. If you need an emergency visa, you can get one within 40 minutes to 4 hours. This will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it much faster.
On arrival support for fast check-in at Vietnam Airports
You also have the option to buy “On Arrival Support” which is a very good option for those who wants to check in to Vietnam faster:
- Standard Support : +US$20/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, then take care of all procedures necessary to get the visa stamped on your passport. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
- VIP Support : +US$35/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, receive your passport and give it back with the visa within 5-10 minutes, then escort you to check out via the VIP gate. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Zimbabwe
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in your local or nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Zimbabwe. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because it is not as convenient if you do not live close to the embassy. It means you’ will have to spend time on transportation and money. You will also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you by any chance forget anything, you need to start all over again with the process. It is time consuming and you usually need to pick up your passport in the embassy or consulate. Also, be kindly advised that the fees and procedures are subject to change depending on where you apply.
