If you are traveling to Vietnam from Afghanistan in the nearby future, make sure to apply for a Vietnam visa in good time. A visa is required for all citizens of Afghanistan and you need one regardless of the length of your stay. This means that even if you are only planning on staying in Vietnam for a few days, or even hours, you have to present a Vietnam visa to the immigration officers.
The process is simple and you can get a visa within a few days, that is, if you get it online. The online option is the Visa on Arrival. But you can also get a visa through the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate. Here are the two options further explained:
This is the most preferred option for many travellers. If you live far away from the Vietnamese Embassy for example, or you do not want to send important documents such as your passport, this is a good option for you. It’s also easy to apply for, quick and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you just need a computer and internet. If you get a Visa on Arrival, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports: Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hai Phong. You can only travel by air if you get a VOA, meaning you can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, and so forth.
The process is very simple. What you need to do is fill in the Online Application form with all relevant information. What you need to state in the application form is:
After you have filled this information out, you have to wait for a confirmation email which usually arrives within 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes, don’t forget to print it out so the immigration officers in Vietnam can stamp your passport. If you need an emergency visa, you can get one within 40 minutes to 4 hours. This will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it much faster.
You also have the option to buy “On Arrival Support” which is a very good option for those who wants to check in to Vietnam faster:
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, then take care of all procedures necessary to get the visa stamped on your passport. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, receive your passport and give it back with the visa within 5-10 minutes, then escort you to check out via the VIP gate. Please prepare 25 USD/person and give it to our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
The second option is to apply for a visa in your local or nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t live close to the embassy. It means you will have to spend time on transportation and money. You also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you happen to forget anything, you need to start the process all over again. It’s time consuming and you usually need to pick up your passport in the embassy or consulate. Also, be kindly advised that the fees and procedures are subject to change depending on where you apply.
Now when you have decided which visa to apply to, you can start planning your trip to Vietnam. There is a lot to see and do here, so make sure you have enough time to do everything you would like. There is an endless amount of possibilities in this Southeast Asian pearl. If you like to have a calm and quiet vacation, you should head to the coastline and spend your days by the many beaches you can find here. The weather in the south of Vietnam is warm all year round, making it the perfect country to visit if you want to be guaranteed sunshine. For the more active and adventurous, you can go trekking, canoeing, canyoning, kitesurfing and much, much more. Whatever you are looking for, you will surely find it here in Vietnam.
If you are planning on traveling to Vietnam from Turkmenistan in the nearby future or already have your ticket, make sure that you don’t forget to apply for a Vietnam visa. This is required for all citizens of Turkmenistan, and you will have to get a visa regardless of the length of your stay.
