Once the summer is starting to end in Europe, the cold, harsh winters are on its way and we all long to go somewhere tropical. Luckily for us, it’s never been easier to travel than now. Vietnam is a destination that has been on the radar for a long time now, much due to its exotic climate and beautiful sand beaches. It’s also one of the most affordable countries to travel in. This gem is worth visiting all year-round. The weather down south is almost always hot, so if that’s what you are looking for, then go further south. If you are more drawn to mountains and rice terraces, then perhaps the north is more for you. Or why not do both of them! Many travellers stay here for at least 1 month in order to see as much as they can of the country. Either they go by public transportation, which is very easy, or they rent a car or a motorbike.
Rice fields on terraced of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai, Vietnam
Before you book a flight to Vietnam, you will have to apply for a Vietnam visa if you are intending to stay for longer than 15 days. If you are only staying for 15 days or less, then you do not need to apply for a visa. But it is highly suggested to stay in the country for longer than 2 weeks, since there is so much to do and see. So if you do decide to apply for a visa, as a Scottish citizen, you have three choices: you can either apply for an E-Visa, a Visa on Arrival or go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply for a visa there.
1. Electronic visa or Vietnam e-visa for citizens of Scotland
A sample of an eVisa Vietnam
If you apply for an E-visa, it 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 from the government official website (https://evisa.immigration.gov.vn) is low and is non-refundable if rejected or failed. There is, however, an opportunity to get a 100% Money Back Guarantee policy if you apply your e-visa through our website https://evisa-vietnam.com – 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.
Vietnam visa on arrival office in Da Nang Int’l Airport
2. Visa on arrival – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Many people choose to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). The reasons for this is because of its convenience, quickness, safety and it is also inexpensive. It also gives you multi-entries, so you can go to another country and come back to Vietnam. You can apply for this anywhere in the world – whether you are in Scotland or somewhere else, all you need to do is have a computer and internet. With a Visa on Arrival, there is no need to send your passport or any other important private documents. What you need to do is fill out an Online Application Form, wait for your confirmation letter and you will normally receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When everything is done, don’t forget to print out the finalized document, bring it to the airport in Vietnam and get it stamped by one of the immigration officers.
If you forgot to apply for a visa in good time, there is also the opportunity to get an Emergency Visa. It is then proceeded from 30 minutes to 4 hours. You will then receive an approval letter via email before boarding the plane. When you land in the country, the visa will be ready and stamped for you.
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The last option is applying for a visa at the Vietnamese Consulate or Vietnamese Embassy in London. If you choose to go this way, you have to bring your passport and any relevant documents to the consulate or embassy in Scotland. If you live far away from those places, it might be a bit inconvenient for you. Sometimes the progress of your application will take longer time as well, if there are important documents that are missing. The progress takes a longer time because of this and if you need a visa urgently, this is not the ideal option.
Japanese bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam
There’s not really much more than that! Obtaining a visa is both affordable and quick. Once you have it, you can book your flight and start planning your trip. Why not visit some of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Hoi An and Halong Bay. Two very different sites, but equally charming. You can also escape to the island of Phu Quoc down south, where there’s plenty of sand beaches to lay on. If you are more active, then you can always go hiking up north in the mountains, where you will meet the Hmong – Vietnam’s ethnic minority. As you can see, there’s an abundance of things to do, so make sure you have enough time to explore this country thoroughly and most importantly: enjoy and have fun!
A tourist enjoying beautiful beach in Ha Long Bay
