There is no denying that Europe is beautiful and incredibly diverse. During the summer months, Europeans tend to stay at home to enjoy the warm climate and go on vacation to other countries in Europe. But it’s a different story when autumn starts to come and the colder winter months starts creeping in. That’s the time when most people migrate out and start looking for warmer destinations. This is where Vietnam comes in.
Vietnam’s tourism has increased in the past years and it doesn’t seem to stop. Last year, in 2017, Vietnam received about 73 million domestic visitors and nearly 13 million foreign tourists. In 2018 the country is expecting to receive about 16 million foreign tourists. But what exactly is it that makes Vietnam so special and why should one go there?
A tourist running along the beach of Vietnam
Besides the warm climate that attracts many people from colder countries, there’s also the beautiful sand beaches, where you can relax your body and mind. If you like to hike, you can always go to the mountains. There are also exciting cities where you can explore for days, months and even years! The expat community is growing as well, due to the high influx of internationals who decided to move to Vietnam.
But before you book that ticket and fly across the world, there are some things to think about before going. For example, there is the visa. If you are a Polish citizen, you will need to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country. There are three ways for you to do this:
1. Electronic visa or Vietnam E-Visa for Polish 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 at the government website 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 for your e-visa through our website – 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 visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Getting visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
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 Poland 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 of 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 Poland
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in the Vietnamese Embassy in Poland. 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.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to traveling to Vietnam – the country is beautiful to visit anytime of the year, and you will always get a warm climate if you go head south (although the north is equally as beautiful, but the temperature is usually milder during the colder months). The visa process is easy, it’s a very affordable country to travel to, and there is an abundance of things for you to do here so you will never feel bored. What are you waiting for? Get your visa today!
A tourist enjoy coconut on the beach of Vietnam
