Thinking about traveling to Vietnam from South Sudan? If not, you should! Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and it’s not hard to see why so many people chooses to spend their time here. The country is so diverse and offers visitors more than just a pretty beach – although it also has plenty of those. Here, you can go hiking in the jungles, go kayaking in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rent a motorbike and go from north to south, or the other way around, and stop by some incredible sites that won’t leave anyone unimpressed. When you feel like relaxing, head over to one of many beaches in the country, where you can go kitesurfing, jetski, surf, swim and more.
A couple in love having fun on beautiful beach of Vietnam
Try to stay for at least one month in order to cover a lot of the country. It’s truly a joy traveling around Vietnam and exploring the country. Once you’ve decided that Vietnam is your next destination, you must apply for a visa in order to enter the country. This applies to all citizens of South Sudan who are going to Vietnam. Regardless of the length of your stay or purpose of visit, you are required to apply for a visa. You have two options, and they are:
Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of South Sudan? (No, citizens of South Sudan 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 South Sudan national in this list, therefore, citizens of South Sudan 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 queue to 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 out 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 the nearby countries of South Sudan
The reason why applying for a visa with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t live close to the embassy (There is no embassy of Vietnam in South Sudan). 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.
