Foreigners applying for entry shall be granted visas at Vietnam's international border gates in the following cases:
a) They enter for funerals of their relatives, for visits to their seriously ill relatives;
b) They depart from countries where Vietnamese diplomatic missions and/or consulates are not available;
c) They enter for visits under programs organized by international tour enterprises of Vietnam;
d) They enter to provide urgent technical support for programs, projects; to give first-aid to seriously ill persons, accident victims; to provide rescue for victims of natural disasters and epidemics in Vietnam;
e) For other urgent reasons.

Disclaimers : Please note that this translation is for reference only. This is not our publication. We are not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Users of the English translations of legal instruments published on this website should note that in the event of any inconsistency between the English translations and the original Vietnamese text, the later shall prevail.

This Decree prescribes the procedures applicable to foreigners who enter, exit, transit and/or reside in Vietnam; the invitation of foreigners into Vietnam by agencies, organizations and individuals; the responsibilities of and working coordination among the State functional bodies.

Disclaimers : Please note that this translation is for reference only. This is not our publication. We are not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Users of the English translations of legal instruments published on this website should note that in the event of any inconsistency between the English translations and the original Vietnamese text, the later shall prevail.

Agencies and organizations, which wish to invite into Vietnam foreigners who are not liable to carry out procedures at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as defined at Point 1 of this Section, shall send written requests to the Exit and Entry Management Department. If they request the granting of visas to guests at international border gates, their written requests must clearly state the border gates and time of the guests? entry, as well as reasons for granting of visas at border gates. 

Disclaimers : Please note that this translation is for reference only. This is not our publication. We are not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Users of the English translations of legal instruments published on this website should note that in the event of any inconsistency between the English translations and the original Vietnamese text, the later shall prevail.

To amend and supplement a number of articles and clauses of Joint Circular No. 04/2002/TTLT-BCA-BNG of January 29, 2002, guiding the Government's Decree No. 21/ 2001/ND-CP of May 28, 2001, detailing the Ordinance on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

In order to enter Vietnam, you will need a valid passport with at least six months validity remaining and a Vietnamese visa, a visa exemption document, or a written approval letter for a visa upon arrival. You may obtain a visa or a visa exemption document from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate prior to traveling to Vietnam. To obtain a written approval letter to enter, you must contact a travel agency prior to departure. U.S. citizens have reported unscrupulous travel agencies taking advantage of.

Declaration procedures for people on entry Vietnam

The people on entry shall compare their accompanied luggage with duty-free luggage quotas specified by Vietnam before their customs declaration. If people on entry do not have accompanied luggage, which exceeds the duty-free quotas, or which is delivered before or after their trip, they shall not have to make customs procedures on Vietnam’s exit/ entry declaration forms.