Although the majority of people traveling to Vietnam are mostly from Europe, Asia or Australia, there is no denying that more people from all over the world are finding its way to Vietnam. Colombians are one of them. While Colombia is also another country that has seen a big tourism boom in the latest years, you are usually drawn to places that are far away from where you are from. Vietnam and Colombia has many things in common – beautiful beaches, green landscapes, hiking and trekking opportunities, big cities and a culture that is unique and fascinating. But then why would you travel to another country if you have this all at home?

Well… There’s no “right” answer to it, but one of the reasons why many people travel is because they are seeking something foreign and they just want to have a vacation away from home. Vietnam is an excellent choice because it is very affordable to travel to, acquiring a visa is easy, you have both very inexpensive hostels and more luxurious hotels to choose from. There are many foreigners who travels here, which makes it easy to make new friends. Vietnam has become a favorite amongst many travelers and it only seems to become more popular.

People walking on the streets of old town Hoi An, Vietnam

If you are traveling from abroad, come to Vietnam to experience a culture that can only be found here, visit the north and see the majestic rice terraces, meet the indigenous people Hmong and get to know more about how they live and their history. When you get tired of the north, head further down south to see the ancient towns of Hue and Hoi An that has charmed many travelers. It has become one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations. Eat some of the most delicious food that will leave you craving more, go shop some colorful souvenirs, meet locals on the streets who are having a warm bowl of “pho”, go to museums and learn more about the war, and finally when your body is tired after all the walking – head to one of the many beaches in Vietnam’s coastline and relax with a coconut in your hand. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Well, before you fly over to Vietnam, know that as a Colombian citizen, you need to apply for a Vietnam Visa. There are three ways for you to do this:

1. Electronic visa or Vietnam E-Visa for Colombian passport holders

A sample of an eVisa Vietnam

This is a visa which will be issued electronically and Colombian citizens are able to apply for this visa. You can show it at the passport control when 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 if you apply at the official website of the government https://evisa.immigration.gov.vn. There is, however, an opportunity to buy a 100% Money Back Guarantee policy if you apply for your e-visa through our website www.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 for it 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 have to apply for a Visa on Arrival, which is option number 2.

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 office in Da Nang Airport

The second option is the one that is recommended, which is to apply online for a Visa on Arrival. With this type of visa, you are only allowed to enter Vietnam through air. So, if you are planning to enter Vietnam with a boat, bus, et cetera, you have to opt for another sort of visa. This is the better option as well for those who do not wish to travel far (or at all!) or submit their passport via postal mail. You can easily get a visa by getting in touch with a travel agent in Vietnam. You just need to fill out an online form where you state your name, occupation, purpose of visit, duration of stay, etc. Once this is processed, an approval letter will be sent to you via the email you wrote. Don’t forget to print this approval letter out so that you can present it to the immigration officers in Vietnam who will then stamp your letter. You only need internet and a computer to do this and you can apply for it anywhere in the world! It’s effective, quick, cheap and safe – this is why it is recommended.

If there is an emergency and you need your visa faster, you can always apply for an Emergency Visa. It will then be proceeded from 30 minutes to 4 hours. An Approval Letter is then sent to you via email before you board the plane. As soon as you arrive in one of the international airports of Vietnam, you will have your visa ready.

3. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy in Colombia

Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport

If you opt for the third option, then you can to the embassy of Vietnam in Colombia and speak to them in person. They will help you out when you are there. Remember to bring all the important documents such as passport, flight tickets, etc. This option is good if you live close to the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country. However, if you live far away, this is not the most desirable solution since it will not only take you a long time with transportation, but it will also cost you money. Applying for a visa through an embassy can also take longer time and if you forgot to bring all the necessary documents, you will have to do the process all over again.

So, now when you are ready to travel across the world to see Vietnam, make sure to enjoy your time there and have fun! And remember: One’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things. – Henry Miller.

Rice fields on terraced in sunset at Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province, Vietnam