Vietnam is quickly becoming a favorite destination amongst both backpackers, travelers and expats. If you are looking for a fun and adventurous trip, you will find it here in Vietnam. The country is filled with sights and activities that will keep you occupied for months. Whether you prefer to be more active and go hiking, trekking, kitesurfing etc, or you like to relax on the beach, drink Vietnamese coffee in the mountains and go shopping in the metropolitan city of Hanoi, you have it all here.
What is required of you before you enter the country is to apply for a Vietnam visa. As a citizen of Bahamas you are obligated to have a visa before you enter the country. There are two simple ways for you to obtain a visa and they are:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Bahamas? (No, citizens of Bahamas 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 Bahamas national in this list, therefore, citizens of Bahamas should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Tourist pick up visa on arrival at Da Nang Int’l Airport, Vietnam
This option is preferred by many foreigners who comes to Vietnam. It is easy to apply to, convenient, quick and it saves you time. You can also apply for the VOA from anywhere in the world. All you need is your computer and internet. If you apply for this visa, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports in Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong city. You can only travel by air if you get a VOA, meaning you can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, et cetera.
The process is very easy. What you need to do is fill out the Online Application form where you state your date of birth, and other relevant information. Then you wait for a confirmation email that will come in around 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive a Visa 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 by chance you need to get an emergency visa, it will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it faster. It will take from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
On arrival support for fast check-in at Vietnam Airports
You now 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 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 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 in 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 visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Bahamas
Vietnam tourist visa – single entry
The second option is to apply for a visa in the closest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Bahamas. Unfortunately, Bahamas does not have a Vietnam Embassy so you will have to travel to the nearest one if you choose this option. This might not be so convenient since you will have to spend time on transportation and money as well. 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, meaning you have to yet again travel to the nearest Vietnam Embassy.
When you have your visa approved of, don’t forget to bring all necessary documents, photos and money to the immigration officers. EUR and USD is accepted but you can also pay in their local currency Dong.
A biker standing near motorbike and enjoying landscape view
Once you have everything sorted out, you can start planning your trip to Vietnam. Many people go either from north to south or the opposite, with little pit stops in between. It is possible to hire (or buy) a motorbike when you are in Vietnam but make sure that you have an international driver’s license and you are comfortable behind the wheel. The roads is not as developed in some places and traffic can get real hectic in the bigger cities. If you are not comfortable with this option there are ton of public transportation which makes it just as easy for you travel around the country. Either way, you will surely enjoy everything that the country has to offer, no matter the choice of transportation.
