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.