One of Southeast Asia’s pearls is most definitely Vietnam. Tourism has boomed here in the last few years and it is becoming more and more popular to travel here. Although it is quite the trendy place to go to, it still remains authentic and true. If you want to get to know Southeast Asia, this is a great place to start at.
Vietnam has many sights to offer – some of them are even UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you are traveling here, make sure that you have enough time if you want to travel from north to south (or the opposite). If you start in the north, make sure that you don’t miss out on Halong Bay and Cat Ba. The tropical climate in Vietnam makes it a perfect beach destination if you are longing for relaxing days. Cat Ba island has some of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches but you also have the entire coast to choose from. If you are more of the adventurous type, there are opportunities to do kitesurfing and other watersports as well.
The good thing about Vietnam is the diversity. If you are not a beach person, you can always go to the cities and wander around, go souvenir shopping, see how the locals live their everyday life and go café hopping. You will always have nature close by though – go hiking in the mountains or go chase waterfalls in Da Lat. Whatever you are looking for, Vietnam will surely have it!
But before you travel to the country, you will need to apply for a Vietnam visa. It’s a very easy process and affordable. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps and you will have the visa in no time.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Iran? (No, Iranian 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 Iran national in this list, therefore, Iranian 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
Vietnam visa on arrival office in 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 city, Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province), Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi city 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 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 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/pers 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/pers and give it to our staff to pay for visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Iran
Vietnam tourist visa – single entry
The second option is to apply for a visa in the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Iran. The reason why this option isn’t 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.
When the visa is paid for and approved, you can start enjoying your trip to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
