Vietnam is one of the largely undiscovered jewels of South East Asia. The country is home to breath-taking landscapes, such as the Mekong Delta. There are incredible historic sites, including the Imperial City in Huế. Then, of course, there are the diverse scenes of Vietnam, with the serene countryside and the sights and sounds of its cities, such as the capital, Hanoi. These are just a few of the treasures this gorgeous country has to offer. Get ready to immerse yourself in an unforgettable holiday in South East Asia, with our offer of cheap flights to Vietnam!
We can make your dream of visiting this country a reality with this step-by-step guide to applying for a Vietnam visa! South African passport holders do require a visa to enter Vietnam, but fortunately, the process is relatively painless! You can apply at the Vietnam embassy in Pretoria if you live nearby. If you live further afield, however, you can send off all the required documents to the embassy with a courier service. Make sure you apply for your visa at least two weeks before you travel to allow for the processing time (and to spare yourself all the potential stress!).
Please note this Vietnam visa process is applicable to South African passport holders.
Where to Apply:
At the Embassy
You can apply for a Vietnam visa at the Embassy of Vietnam, in Pretoria.
| Address: | 87 Brooks St, Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0011 |
| Telephone: | + 27 (0) 12 362 8119 (Extensions 113/109/100) |
| Email: | embassy@vietnam.co.za |
| Hours: | Mondays – Fridays: 09:00 – 11:30 |
| Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and South African and Vietnamese holidays |
When applying at the Embassy, make sure to bring the required documents (see below).
How to book an appointment
The Vietnam visa application process differs depending on where you stay.
At the Embassy
Follow these steps:
- Visit the Embassy website, and download and fill in the form.
- Contact the Embassy (with the details provided above) to make an appointment.
- Bring all required documents (see below).
- After 5 working days, return to the Embassy to collect your visa.
Courier Service
If you’re outside of Pretoria, use a courier service to send off the required documents. Be sure to factor in additional time for the courier service to return your passport to you.
*If using a courier, call the Embassy to confirm when your visa is ready for collection.
Types of Visas to Apply for:
There are the different types of Vietnam visas depending on your holiday plans. If you are visiting Vietnam as a tourist, these are the types you can apply for:
- 1 Month Single Entry Visa
- 1 Month Multiple Entry Visa
- 3 Months Multiple Entry Visa
A 1-month Vietnam visa is valid for 1 month. A 3-month Vietnam visa is valid for 3 months. This starts from the proposed date of arrival as stated on your application form.
Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of your return.
If you are heading to Vietnam for business, find out all the relevant info by reading this full explanation of the different business visa types for entering Vietnam.
Visa Costs:
Visa fees differ according to your intended period of travel. See below for more information:
- 1-Month Single Entry – R900.00
- 1-Month Multiple Entry – R1,200.00
- 3-Months Multiple Entry – R1,400.00
The Embassy has card facilities should you wish to pay them directly. Otherwise, you can make a deposit into their account at your local bank or make an EFT payment (see below).
If you live outside of Pretoria, you may use a third party such as a courier with a letter of authorisation. Take note that using a courier service will lead to additional costs, depending on the company you use.
If you end up using a courier service, you can use these payment details for making EFT payments to the Vietnam Embassy. Make sure to include proof of payment with the required documents.
| Account name: | Embassy of Vietnam |
| Account number: | 62243859909 |
| Bank: | FNB |
| Branch name: | Brooklyn |
| Branch code: | 251345 |
| Swift Code: | FIRNZAJJ |
| Reference | Your Name or Group’s Name |
Be sure to double check your Vietnam visa requirements with regards to cost to avoid any potential surprises.
Documents You Need:
- Completed visa application form (see below for link)
- Original passport (valid for six months from date of return)
- Your passport must have 1 blank page for the visa stamp
- 2 passport-size photos (30mm width x 40mm height, in colour, taken within the past six months)
- Flight booking
- Proof of payment for visa fee (if you are using a courier service, or depositing the fee into the Embassy’s account at a bank)
- Proof of accommodation for full stay
Where to print documents and photos:
Should you need to have any documents printed, these shops are located close to the Embassy:
| Address: | Shop 108, Duncan Walk, 526 Jan Shoba Street, Hatfield, 0083 |
| Email: | hatfield@jetline.co.za |
| Address: | 275 Lynnwood Rd, Menlo Park, Pretoria, 0081 |
| Email: | sales@minitprint.co.za |
You can get passport-size photos taken and printed at the following places:
| Address: | 1066 Burnett St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083 |
| Email: | info@atphoto.co.za |
| Address: | Fehrsen St & Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0181 |
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated to immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.
We are a family of 5 , from JOHANNESBURG. Can 1 member of family apply at embassy for all 5 travellers?
Hi Tasnim,
Thanks for getting in touch. For this you would need to contact the Embassy direct. They would be able to advise if each person needing a visa will should apply in person or if 1 family member can apply on behalf of everyone.
* PRETORIA *
The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Telephone No : (012) 362-8119 (Ext. 109)
Good Day ,
My family and myself are planning on visiting Vietnam on the 1 January 2020 until the 12 January 2020.
We are 9 people travelling together but we are based in Cape Town and unfortunately unable to travel to the Embassy in Pretoria.
We would like to courier our documents to the Embassy, what is the procedure. Could we courier everybody’s documents as one courier package or does it have to be per family or individual.
We would appreciate your prompt response to this matter.
Many thanks.
Glynis
Hi Glynis,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please contact the Embassy direct, they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on what documents are needed when applying, correct procedures to follow as well as the cost.
I would like to know how effective the visa-upon-arrival option is, would you recommend it?
Hi there,
Best to contact the Embassy direct. They will be able to provide you with more information.
We will arrive on board the Norwegian cruise shipon the 28 of December 2019 at the seaport of Ho Chi Minh City (Phu Myl) Vietnam and stay overnight on board until our departure on 29 December 2019 at 6.00 pm. Is the process for a cruise ship different to a visa on arrival by flight? How can I apply for a visa if I am on a cruise ship.
I have tried contacting the embassy but get no response.
Hi Riaan,
Thanks for the interesting question.
To get the correct and most up to date information please contact the Embassy direct.
They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow, what documents are required, where to apply and the cost.
The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Telephone No : (012) 362-8119 (Ext. 109)
Visa upon arrival is only valid if you arrive by air, cruising requires a different visa and normally with NCL you can apply onboard at a set price. Contact the cruise line for specifics, I know a lot of people arrive with pre-purchased visa by air which is useless and they end up paying double.
Are there any online Visa sites you would recommend? I have heard you can get your letter online for $12 and pay a stamping fee of $25 on arrival in Vietnam..
Hi Juan,
When applying for a Vietnamese visa you would need to apply directly through the Embassy direct. There is no official visa handling agency only the Embassy for visa applications for Vietnam.
I’m a Namibian who wants to enter Vietnam on a 3-month multiple visa, but through visa-on-arrival (since Namibia doesn’t have a Vietnamese embassy and I don’t feel comfortable sending my original passport via courier to Pretoria). My question is whether I can enter the country with this visa with a one-way flight booking? I’ve seen different comments regarding this and I’ve called the embassy myself, and the person I spoke to did say a one-way ticket would be fine, but I still want to know if anyone has had any issues with this.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
I can not seem to get clear information regarding entry into Vietnam via Seaport.
I am a South African citizen and will be entering Vietnam via Ho Chi Minh City SEAPORT having earlier boarded a cruise ship in Bangkok. I will have boarded the ship on 23 December 2018 and the ship will enter and exit Ho Chi Minh City SEAPORT twice (multiple exit entry) during the cruise period until 12 January 2019 when I will disembark and fly back to South Africa from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I need to know URGENTLY if there are any specific visa requirements I need to arrange now in anticipation of my travel in December. I am located in Cape Town and there is no Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate here.
Please assist with the correct information as soon as possible.
Many thanks, Brian
Hi Brian,
Please contact the Embassy direct.
As they are the ones who grant the visa’s they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on the correct procedures to follow, what documents are required and the cost.
* PRETORIA *
The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Telephone No : (012) 362-8119 (Ext. 109)
Fax No : (012) 362-8115
Street Address : 87 Brooks Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Postal Address : P.O. Box 13692, Hatfield, 0028
E-mail Address : embassy@vietnam.co.za
Web Address : http://www.vietnam.co.za
That sounds amazing!!!!
I am a South African who has just accepted at teaching position at an international school in Vietnam and need to know the procedure and costs involved. thanks
Hi Sue,
Thanks for getting in touch.
You would need to contact the Embassy direct or company you applied through to get the position.
They will be able to assist in advising what documents would be required when applying for a work visa, the correct procedures to follow as well as the cost.