In the last years, Vietnam has experienced a huge tourism boom which does not seem to end anytime soon. Last year, in 2017, Vietnam received about 73 million domestic visitors and nearly 13 million foreign tourists. This was an increase of nearly 13% on year-on-year basis. In 2018, the country is expecting 16 million foreign visitors. Why do so many people come to Vietnam and why is the tourism increasing?
Mui Ne Beach – The Kitesurfer’s Dream
There are several different answers to this, but we can think of a few reasons why people want to visit Vietnam. First of all, it is an affordable destination. We’d say, one of the most affordable countries in Asia. If you love street food, then you are very lucky. Not only is it very cheap, but it’s also delicious and healthy (most of the times at least!). But that’s not solely the reason why people come here though. You also have beautiful islands, such as Phu Quoc, with sand beaches that resembles paradise. There’s also rice terraces that will leave you in awe, mountains to climb, locals to talk to, history to learn about and cities to explore. Vietnam has something for everyone – whether you are looking for luxury, budget or something in between, you can find it here.
If this sparked your curiosity, maybe you are thinking of booking a flight ticket to come see the country that has charmed so many people! But before you do that, as a citizen of Romania, you will need to apply for a Vietnam Visa. It is very easy though and you have three options:
1. Electronic visa or Vietnam E-Visa for Romanian passport holders
A sample of an eVisa Vietnam
This is an actual visa which will be issued electronically, and you can show it at the passport control when you are entering Vietnam. You don’t need to stop by the landing visa desk to pick up the actual visa as you would have to with a “Visa on Arrival” (VOA). The fee is low and is non-refundable if rejected or failed. There is however an opportunity to get a 100% Money Back Guarantee policy. The price is higher with this insurance. The E-Visa is really easy to apply to and it allows travelers to apply directly online. It also allows you to enter Vietnam via airports, land ports and seaports. So if you are planning on coming to Vietnam by cruise ship, road or airplane, this is a good choice.
The E-visa is valid for 30 days, single entry, which means that if you intend on staying for longer and wish to have a multiple-entries visa, you will have to apply for a Visa on Arrival.
2. 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 desk in Da Nang city
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 – whether you live in Romania or you’re based somewhere else, you just need your computer and internet. If you apply for this visa, 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, et cetera.
The process “Visa On Arrival” is easy. You only need to fill out the Online Application form where you state your date of birth, and other information. Then you wait for a confirmation letter 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.
3. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Romania
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in the Vietnamese Embassy in Romania (address below). 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.
That’s it. Applying for a visa has never been as smooth as now. Do as many others and book your ticket to Vietnam to see what all the fuss is about!
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Embassy of Vietnam in Romania
- Address: No. 35, C.A. Rosetti street, District 2,Bucharest, Romania
- Phone: 0040-21-311.03.34
- Fax: 0040-21-312.16.26
- Web Site: http://www.vietnamembassy-romania.org
- Email: vietrom2005@yahoo.com
