Yes, for citizens of most countries, there is a need to apply for a visa before travelling. However, there is a few countries that are granted a visa exemption of 14 – 30 days. If you are planning a short stay in Vietnam, it is worth checking the latest exemption list to see if your home nation is included.

For the majority of travellers the visa on arrival (VOA) is likely to be the easiest method to apply for a visa. It is a fast and inexpensive option and easily applied online through a local tour agency. Note: the VOA is only applicable if the intention is to enter the country via one of the main international airports.

Other options include the e-visa which gives greater flexibility on the entry option and the visa in advance via a local Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

Any visitors to Vietnam will need to hold a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining after arriving in the country.

Internet access is widely available in many public areas of big cities, personal account control in small town or countryside, and rarely serve in remote regions.A majority of guest houses and hotels can provide internet access – although this can be subject to an extra fee. Internet cafes are plentiful throughout the towns and cities and relatively inexpensive to use. Big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang will have the fastest connection speeds.

The local Vietnamese Dong and American Dollar are both accepted in Vietnam. However, the Dong is a closed currency and only available to exchange on arrival in the country. Use the local banks and ATMs to get this currency. The American Dollar is useful in a variety of situations, such as paying the cost of visa on arrival or tipping drivers, guides, bellman... 

 

Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City accept credit card (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express) payments in upmarket establishments intended for the tourist market, such as high-end restaurants and mid-level or above hotels. Credit card payments are likely to attract a surcharge of 5% or more. Make sure to travel with enough cash when travelling outside the major cities. Additionally, there is an option to carry travellers’ cheques which can easily be converted to cash in any decent size city.

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