The amount of people who travel to Vietnam has risen significantly in the past years. The promises of golden sand beaches, grand mountains, tropical islands, crystal clear water, tasty food, warm locals and bustling cities are all attracting foreigners from all over the world. Vietnam has gotten an immensely good reputation amongst previous travelers and it’s not gone unnoticed. You’ll see plenty of foreigners on the streets in Vietnam with their big backpacks walking around, drinking “egg coffee” (a Vietnamese specialty) in small plastic stools, eating warm bowls of pho for just a few dollars, and enjoying everything that Vietnam has to offer. The culinary scene is terrific here and you can get an amazing meal for under 5 dollars. If you’re really on a budget, there’s plenty of hole-in-the-wall restaurants that offers meals for less than 2 dollars as well. Don’t let the cheap prices fool you though – the food tastes amazing! It’s one of the charms of Vietnam, that you get very good value for your money.
If you’re looking for a country that is extremely diverse, is safe, affordable and beautiful to travel around in, then Vietnam is one of the best countries you could visit. There’s even a growing expat community in Vietnam because there’s more opportunities to work and travel in the country than ever before.
Whether you’re coming to Vietnam for business or leisure, all citizens of Malawi are required to apply for a Vietnam visa before arriving. You can do this easily by either getting an online visa called ‘Visa on Arrival’, which is highly recommended, or you can go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Take a look at the two options below.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Malawi? (No, citizens of Malawi 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 Malawi national in this list, therefore, citizens of Malawi 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
Getting visa on arrival at the airport 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.
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.
Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby country of Malawi
Vietnam tourist visa – single entry
The reason why applying for a visa with the Consulate or Embassy of Vietnam in the nearby country of Malawi 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.
