If you are considering traveling to Vietnam from Benin, either for leisure or for business, you are required to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country. But luckily, it’s never been as easy as now to acquire a visa. You don’t even have to send away your important documents if you don’t want to, everything can, in fact, be done online! Do as many others and get a Visa on Arrival, which is the alternative and online way to acquire a visa. But if you live close to a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, you can also go to them and get a visa there. These are the two options to get a Vietnam visa:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Benin? (No, citizens of Benin 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 Benin national in this list, therefore, citizens of Benin 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 desk in Da Nang city
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’s also easy to apply for, quick and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you just need a 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 out 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 letter 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 Benin
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 Benin. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t live close to the embassy. It means you will have to spend time on transportation and money. You also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you happen to forget anything, you need to start the process all over again. It’s 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.
Bui Vien Street-in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
When you have your Vietnam visa, all you have to do is start enjoying everything that this Southeast Asian gem has to offer! Whether you want to go hiking, explore caves, sunbathe on pristine beaches, go island hopping, try the local dish “pho”, or you just want to wander around in the big, bustling cities, you’ll have the opportunities to do this and much, much more. Vietnam is a very diverse country, with lots of sites and activities to keep you busy. You will never be bored in Vietnam!
Take a look at some of our other articles to get some ideas on what to do while you’re in Vietnam:
