One of the top destinations to travel to in Asia is by far Vietnam. Tourism has been booming here in the past years and the country now welcomes millions of visitors each year, mostly from other Asian countries such as China and Korea. Vietnam is a very diverse country which has a lot to offer for the ones who have the time to properly explore it. If you’re planning on traveling north to south, a good idea is to be here for one month in order to not rush it.
There’s many popular places to visit such as the capital city Hanoi, the biggest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, the small, quaint city Hoi An and the beaches in the coastline. If you want to spend your time in Vietnam on a beach, you have plenty of choices. One of the most popular coastal town is Nha Trang. Here, you can find plenty of resorts offering visitors a more luxurious stay. But if you’re on a tighter budget, there’s still lots of other options here. Vietnam is a place for all. Whether you’re a backpacker, traveling with family, going on a couples trip, or you’re a solo traveler, there’s something for everyone in Vietnam.
The first thing you need to acquire if you’re traveling here is a Vietnam visa. As a citizen of Egypt, you have two options, and they are:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Egypt? (No, Egyptian citizens 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 Egypt national in this list, therefore, Egyptian citizens should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Applying online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Tourist pick up visa on arrival at Da Nang Int’l Airport, 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 in 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.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Cairo, Egypt
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The reason why applying for a visa with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Cairo, Egypt 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.
