Vietnam is one of the most thrilling and exciting destinations in the world. It wasn’t long before this country was almost unexplored by foreigners. These days, the situation is a bit different. The country welcomes millions of visitors each year now from all over the world and it’s rare to not see a few tourists sitting in a local spot, drinking Vietnamese drip coffee and discussing about their next destination.
People come to Vietnam for several reasons. It’s known to be one of the most budget-friendly countries in Asia, which is especially attractive to backpackers who travel on a strict budget. But besides being affordable, it’s also a breathtakingly beautiful country, with its diverse landscape, bustling cities, quaint towns and coastline. In fact, we dare to say that Vietnam has it all! Whether you’re going with your friends, family, girlfriend or boyfriend, or you’re thinking of doing it solo, you’ll see that it’s a destination for all. You can find everything from high-end resorts, fancy boutiques, expensive restaurants, to hole-in-the-wall food places, cheap accommodation (that sometimes feels luxurious), local markets where you can shop like the locals and you can even find the cheapest beer in the world here. Sounds quite ideal, right?
So don’t hesitate any longer and book your trip to Vietnam today! After you’ve done that, it’s time to apply for a visa to be able to enter the country. Since Libya is not on the Vietnam visa exempt list, all citizens are obligated to apply for a visa. There are two ways you can apply for a visa, and they are:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Libya? (No, citizens of Libya 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 Libya national in this list, therefore, citizens of Libya should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airports of 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 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 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.
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 country of Libya
The reason why applying for a visa with the Consulate or Embassy of Vietnam in the nearby country of Libya 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.