Visa exemption: (source http://vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/use... )
- Not more than 30 days: for citizens of Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos.
- Not more than 15 days: for citizens of Japan and South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland. (Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders are exempted from visa requirements to enter Japan).
- French citizens holding valid diplomatic passports are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Vietnam and are allowed to stay for up 3 months at one time or on several visits within six months since their first immigration dates. Vietnamese citizens holding valid diplomatic passports also enjoy similar privileges.
- Citizens of Chile and Vietnam holding valid diplomatic or official passports from one of the two countries are exempt from needing entry, exit and transit visas in the other's territory and are allowed to stay for up 60 days on each visit.
A valid passport and a visa are required of all other foreign travelers for entry into Vietnam. Visas are issued by Vietnamese consulates and embassies, as well as some overseas offices of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. “Visa on arrival” is not available, so travelers will have to arrange these prior to entry into the country. In addition, travelers should be fairly firm on their dates of travel and locations of entry and departure, as changing visas once inside the country is complicated and will accrue extra fees.
Visas will specify ports of entry and departure as well as dates of stay. Tourist visas last for 30 days and may be extended once inside Vietnam. Double entry visas are also available for those who want to visit surrounding countries such as Thailand or Cambodia and return. Fees vary from embassy to embassy. Business visas are good for 6 months, with multiple entries. Sponsorship is required from a licensed Vietnamese enterprise.
Travelers must fill out three applications for entry and exit visas, along with three passport photos 4cm x 6cm. One application should be sent to the closet Vietnamese consulate or embassy, while the other two will be handed in upon entry into the country.