Vietnam’s tourism has boomed immensely over the past years and people from all over the world are starting to travel to Southeast Asia now. There is so much to see and discover in Vietnam that you will need at least one month to go from north to south (if you don’t want to rush it of course). If you are planning on traveling here, you will be surprised by how much there is to do and see – and eat! The Vietnamese cuisine has spread worldwide and you will be happy to know that the food is both very affordable and extremely delicious. If you like warm noodle soups, spring rolls, rice with various meat, vegan & vegetarian food, dumplings, etc… Then you will love the cuisine here! What’s also so good about Vietnam receiving more internationals is that you can find more diverse food these days. So if you are craving pizza one day – don’t worry, you will most certainly find it in the bigger cities.
tourist junks in amazing Ha Long bay on a sunny day, UNESCO world heritage sight, Vietnam
For all the nature lovers, this is also a great country to roam around in. See spectacular mountains in the north, rice terraces, local flea markets, UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Halong Bay, beautiful beaches, charming towns and experience a one-of-a-kind culture. You can do a lot of hiking or trekking in the north, but if you prefer to relax on the beach, you can just pick and choose one of many along the coastlines and on the islands. The cities of Vietnam are also very impressive. The capital city Hanoi is a great place to stay in for a longer time. Digital nomads from all over the world has made Hanoi their home for a few weeks (sometimes even months) and it’s one of Vietnam’s most beloved cities.
As many other nationalities, you will need to apply for a Vietnam visa in order to enter the country. This is not a complicated process though and it’s also very affordable. You have two options as a citizen of El Salvador and those are:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of El Salvador? (No, citizens of El Salvador 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 El Salvador national in this list, therefore, citizens of El Salvador 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
Getting visa on arrival at the airport of 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 El Salvador
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in the closest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in El Salvador. 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 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. However, this is one of the choices that you can choose from, so if you happen to prefer this option, then it is good to know that it exists.
Follow either one of these two easy steps and you will have your Vietnam visa in no time! Try to apply for a Vietnam visa as soon as possible so you can start planning your trip to one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations.
