Vietnam Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	Yes	No
Australian	Yes	Yes	No
Canadian	Yes	Yes	No
USA	Yes	Yes	No
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	No

Passport valid for at least one month after expiration of visa required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Notes

1. Citizens of Sweden, Denmark and Finland traveling to Vietnam for 15 days or less do not need a visa provided their passport is valid for at least three months and they have a return ticket.

For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. nationals of Denmark, Finland and Sweden for stays of up to 15 days;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours, provided holding valid return or onward tickets but they must stay in the transit area of the airport.
(c) Visitors requiring business visas need to supply a letter of introduction from the sponsoring business in Vietnam.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Transit

Visas are not required for passengers in transit, provided they have an onward/return ticket, are continuing their journey within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area of the airport.

Types of Visa and Cost

Visa fees vary according to the type of visas and length of stay and are regularly adjusted. Please contact the Embassy for up-to-date fee information. Currently the prices are as follows:
Tourist £44 for single entry; multiple entry, £95
Business £50 for single entry; multiple entry, £110

Validity

Tourist and business visas are valid for one month from proposed date of entry and multiple entry visas for up to three months. Visas can usually be extended for another month, at extra cost, in the larger towns.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

Temporary Residence

Foreigners can take up temporary residence if they are invited to work in the country by an organization there. Details have to be given of the type of work and duration before a visa and Temporary Resident Permit can be issued.

Working Days Required

Two (tourist visa express application); five (regular), not including postal delivery. Entry visas can be applied for in person up to six months prior to date of travel.

Travel Warnings

Petty street crime is increasing in the larger cities (such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) and tourist resorts. Nha Trang beach also sees an increase in bag snatching during the summer months. You should take sensible precautions.

Typhoon Ketsana passed across central Vietnam on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September 2009. The storm resulted in casualties in rural areas and damage to infrastructure, including disruption to transport and energy services, in central provinces such as Da Nang, Quang Ngai and surrounding areas. Travelers staying in an affected area, or planning to visit one, are advised to continue to register with the Foreign Office.

Typhoons and Tropical Storms commonly occur in Vietnam between June and December. In August, September and October 2008, Northern and Central Vietnam experienced torrential rain resulting in severe flooding including in Hanoi. This caused considerable damage to local infrastructure, including road and rail links.

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Vietnam have led to over 50 reported human fatalities. As a precaution, travelers should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

The HCMC and Hanoi Health Departments have suspended bottled water producers for violating regulations on safety and hygiene. Some bottles were found to contain Pseudomonas aerugionosa bacteria, which can cause infections and sepsis in humans.

Dengue Fever is endemic to Vietnam and can occur throughout the year. There is no vaccination or immunization. There has recently been an increase in the number of dengue haemorrhagic fever cases in Vietnam due to some unseasonal periods of heavy rain, and there have been a number of serious cases, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

There is a low threat from terrorism in Vietnam. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

Serious or violent crimes against foreigners in Vietnam are rare, but travelers should remain vigilant for petty theft, especially in larger cities (such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) and tourist resorts, and when traveling by bus or train.

Illegal drugs are increasingly available in major cities. You should be aware that drugs are likely to have been 'tampered with' or spiked. Drug trafficking and possession carries heavy penalties, including the death penalty, which is enforced in Vietnam.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

There are excellent hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and health care centers in all provinces, but facilities are limited and there is a lack of medicines. Health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation by air. Immediate cash payment is expected for services.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	No*

Special Notes

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.