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Visa, Passport and Money MattersWith Vietnam Travel Plan, our travel specialists will provide all the information you need to get your adventure underway. By choosing from our range of bite-sized Vietnam tours, you can build your own completely personal trip and with their expert knowledge of travelling in Vietnam, our friendly Vietnam travel specialists will link your trip together using local transport and accommodation. Build a fast-paced Vietnam adventure or take it easy; it's completely up to you. If you're looking for a little inspiration, you can take your pick from a selection of ready-made holidays in Vietnam or give one of our friendly travel specialists a call on 01273 322 041.Below, you'll find some useful tips on applying for visas and money advice to prepare you for your travels and ensure that you get the most out of your Vietnam trip. |
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Vietnam Tourist Information: Passports & Visas Holders of British passports must obtain a visa before travelling to Vietnam (click here for more information about UK passports). To obtain a Vietnam visa, your passport must be valid at least 6 months after your planned return date. You require at least one free page in your passport for a Vietnam visa. An application form can be downloaded from the Vietnam Embassy website. This must be completed and signed before being sent, with passport, passport photo and visa fee, to the Vietnamese embassy in London:Vietnamese Embassy - Visas 12-14 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD Tel: 0207 937 1912 Fax: 0207 937 6108 or 0207 565 3853 Website: http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/ Email: consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk Consular section open: Monday - Friday (except Vietnamese, English and Welsh public holidays) 9:30am - 12:30pm |
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A tourist visa for a maximum of 30 days currently costs £44. (Please send an email to the above address requesting the latest costs.) The return charge is currently £8/passport for return by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
A fast-track service Visa for a maximum of 30 days currently costs £59. (Please send an email to the above address requesting the latest costs.)
These details can change, for the most up to date information we recommend calling the Vietnamese Embassy directly or emailing.
Note 1: Please note that visa dates are fixed, not movable. Your visa will be valid from the date of entry shown on your application, you will be allowed to enter and leave Vietnam within the range of dates (entry and exit dates). (You cannot enter Vietnam before the entry date and leave after the exit date). Therefore you have to be precise about the entry date.
Note 2: If you are travelling over land into Thailand from Vietnam, you'll be issued a 15-day Thai visa automatically. However, if you're planning to stay longer in Thailand than this, you'll need to organise your visa before you leave the UK.
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Vietnam Tourist Information: How to apply for VisasTo apply for your Vietnam visa you always need to complete the necessary application form.For UK nationals, click here to print off the application form These links open a PDF document (if you don't already have Adobe, you can download it free) For further information about applying for a Vietnam visa please follow this link to the embassy website: http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/consular.html#VISA |
You can also visit the Vietnamese embassy in person, or alternatively, you can send all the documents by Royal Mail Special Delivery. You'll need to send off your passport, the completed Vietnam visa form, an attached passport photo and payment either by cash, cheque, postal order or a bankers draft. Visa costs vary, so check the website for current prices. Don't forget to include a self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery bag for the returning of your passport. Usually you'll get your passport and Vietnam visa back within 7-14 days. If you're in a rush, contact the Vietnamese embassy immediately to see what can be arranged in the time frame you have.
If you live in London, or prefer not to send your passport in the mail, it is possible to apply for your visa in person at the Vietnamese embassy in London, but we strongly advise that applications are done BY POST in good time.
Alternatively, you can use a Vietnam visa agency that will charge a fee in addition to the Vietnam visa cost.
If you live in London, or prefer not to send your passport in the mail, it is possible to apply for your visa in person at the Vietnamese embassy in London, but we strongly advise that applications are done BY POST in good time.
Alternatively, you can use a Vietnam visa agency that will charge a fee in addition to the Vietnam visa cost.
Vietnam Tourist Information: Money tipsThe Vietnamese Dong is the official currency in Vietnam. There are approximately 33,050 Dong to £1 (as of March 2012). Click here for the latest exchange rate.ATMs or cash machines: ATMs are now the easiest way to get hold of your money in Vietnam. The number of ATMs in Vietnam is increasing all the time, and there is now usually at least one ATM in every town, more in the larger cities. However, it is not sensible to rely on them entirely, as ATMs can go down, or might be out of cash, and you could also be left penniless if you were to lose your card. We would recommend a combination of bank cards, cash and a few travellers cheques. Pounds sterling or travellers' cheques: Larger value notes such as £50 and £100 usually get the best exchange rate, but you get a lot of Dong for £100 so don't change up too much at a time. Travellers' cheques can be cashed in banks and money exchanges in the larger towns/cities. Credit Cards: These are accepted in the larger hotels and restaurants, as well as a limited number of banks. Visa and MasterCard are the most often accepted cards. Very few places will accept American Express cards - so they are better left at home. Money, passports and other valuables like travellers' cheques are best kept in a safety deposit box at your hotel. Almost all of the hotels we use will have a safe available. Never leave valuables or money unattended in your hotel room. We also advise you to avoid carrying unnecessary valuables on your person, especially at night, just in case. |
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Personal expenditure: You can either spend a lot or very little during your Vietnam holiday depending on your personal spending pattern. We would say a modest weekly budget of approx. £70 (around $110 USD) for day to day things like food, drinks, tips, entry fees (when not included) and small souvenirs. However, please be aware that this suggestion is simply an estimate.
Greenback (US Dollars - $): There is no "black market" in Vietnam, but US Dollars are widely accepted by the locals. Sometimes things are quoted in US Dollars, even if you then pay for them in Dong. It's also very handy to have some low denomination notes ($1, $5 and $10) in your wallet.
Greenback (US Dollars - $): There is no "black market" in Vietnam, but US Dollars are widely accepted by the locals. Sometimes things are quoted in US Dollars, even if you then pay for them in Dong. It's also very handy to have some low denomination notes ($1, $5 and $10) in your wallet.
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