Procedure for applying visa:

Tourist visa can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad. Otherwise, you can get a visa at the border gates if you are invitees of some Vietnamese competent organs or you are travelling on a package tour organized by Vietnamese travel companies. To apply for a visa, the requirements are as follows:

* Entry permit form (which can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another).
* Two photos (4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm)
* Original passport
* Visa fee.

You should send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address).

It is easier to get your visa from a Vietnamese travel agency. The necessary information to the travel agency include:

* Full name
* Birthday and place of birth
* Nationality
* Job
* Number of your passport
* Entry and exit dates
* Country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates

Visa extension: this service is available at all travel agencies

Visa exemption:
Vietnamese people that hold foreign passports and foreigners who are their husbands, wives and children are exempt from visa requirements to enter Vietnam and are allowed to stay for not more than 90 days. In order to be granted visa exemption certificates at Vietnamese representative offices abroad, overseas Vietnamese need conditions:

* Foreign-issued permanent residence certificate (PRC) with the validity of at least six months since the date of entrance.
* Visa exemption paper (VEP) is granted by Vietnamese appropriate authorities

Those who expect to stay more than 90 days must apply for visa according to current stipulations before their entrance.

Bilateral visa exemption agreement

* Citizens of Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos holding valid ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for not more than 30 days.
* Citizens of China, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba and North Korea holding valid ordinary passports for official affair and citizens of 46 countries holding valid diplomatic or official passports are exempt from visa requirements.

Unilateral visa exemption

* Visa with 30-day validity is exempted for officials from ASEAN secretariat holding different kinds of passports.
* Citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan and South Korea holding different kinds of passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for not more than 15 days.

Customs information:

1.- Passengers are given duty free allowance for not more than 1.5 liters of liquor with above 22 degrees of concentration of alcohol and 2 liters of liquor below 22 degrees of concentration of alcohol; 400 cigarettes; 100 cigars; 500 gram of raw tobacco.

   - Other items which are allowed in accompanying baggage are duty free with value not over VND 5,000,000.

   - Passengers bringing goods exceeding the amount as above stated are required to fill in the declaration form No.HQ/2002-PMD and pay duty(ies) according to Vietnamese laws.

2.  Passengers who goods are not subject to customs declaration on page 4, 5 (For customs declaration) do not have to declare.
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