There’s many reasons why people flock to Vietnam – the beaches, the crystal clear water, tropical climate, the fresh and flavorful food, and their intriguing culture all make Vietnam one of the best destinations in the world. Years ago, it was still an undeveloped tourist destination, but these days it’s become one of the most popular places to go to. People from all over the world have started to discover this Southeast Asian pearl and now is a perfect time to travel here.
The Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City
Whether you’re coming here from Cape Verde for business or leisure, (As a citizens of Cape Verde) you’ll need a Vietnam visa in order to enter the country. As Vietnam is welcoming millions of tourists each year, the visa system has developed and it’s now easier than ever to apply for a visa. You can either get it online, which is the fastest and easiest way to acquire a visa, or you can go to your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Note that if you live in Cabo Verde, your closest Embassy is either in Morocco or Algeria. So if you’re planning on flying to Vietnam, getting a Visa on Arrival is the absolute best choice for you. But if you’re not going to fly to Vietnam, but planning on getting there with other means of transportation, you cannot get a Visa on Arrival. Let’s have a look at the two options:
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Cabo Verde? (No, citizens of Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde national in this list, therefore, citizens of Cabo Verde should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival – VOA
Vietnam visa on arrival office in 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 Visa On Arrival (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 the nearby countries of Cabo Verde
Vietnam tourist visa – single entry
The second option is to apply for a visa in the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Cabo Verde, which would be either in Morocco or Algeria. The reason why this option 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.
