Are you thinking of traveling to Vietnam in the nearby future from Cameroon? As a citizen of Cameroon, whether it’s for business or leisure, and regardless the length of your stay, you are required to apply for a Vietnam visa. But the visa process has never been as simple and easy to get as now. With millions of visitors traveling to Vietnam each year, the visa process has been made as simple as possible. You can even do it online! This option is called Visa on Arrival and is by far the most popular way to acquire a visa. Here are the two options further explained:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Cameroon? (No, Cameroonian citizens 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 Cameroon national in this list, therefore, Cameroonian citizens 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
Tourist queue to pick up visa on arrival at 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’s 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 Cameroon
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
Unfortunately, there is no Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Cameroon at the moment, which is why this option might be inconvenient. This means that you either have to spend money and transportation on going to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or you have to send away important documents, such as passport. If you do go to the Embassy and happen to forget any necessary documents and papers to bring, you will 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 once the visa process is completed. Also, be kindly advised that the fees and procedures are subject to change depending on where you apply.
As for what you can do in Vietnam – there’s almost too much! There’s everything from big, bustling cities to calmer and more humble towns. And in Vietnam, you simply can’t escape the beautiful nature. There’s plenty of hiking and trekking spots, both in the north, mid Vietnam and south. You can also swim in one of the many pristine beaches, go kayaking, kite surfing, diving, snorkeling and see the coral reefs. Vietnam is also home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Halong Bay, which is a must-visit. Stay on a junk (traditional Vietnamese boat) for the night and cruise around the thousands of limestone islands and islets in Halong Bay. As you can see, there’s a lot to do here, and the sites are quite spread out, so make sure you have enough time to spend in this beautiful, Southeast Asian country.
