1. Complete an application form.
2. Send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address).

Note: It will be easier to get your visa with the help of a Vietnamese travel agency.

• Entry permit form (which can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another) - There are two categories of this form: for foreigners and for Vietnamese overseas.
• Two photos (4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm)
• Original passport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Address:
No. 1 Tn Th?t ?m St.,
Ba ?nh District,
H N?i, Vi?t Nam

Telephone: 84-4-37992000
Fax: 84-4-37992682

E-mail: ttll.mfa@mofa.gov.vn

Website

A foreigner planning to visit Vietnam may need to obtain a visa in order to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam.

Countries that are exempted from the visa requirement:

Following is a list of countries that had sign a visa exemption agreement with Vietnam:

1. Argentina
2. Albania
3. Algeria
4. Afghanistan
5. Bangladesh
6. Belarus
7. Brazil
8. Brunei
9. Bulgaria
10. Cambodia
11. Chile
12. China
13. Cuba
14. Czech
15. Dominica
16. Ecuador
17. France
18. Hungary
19. India
20. Indonesia
21. Iran
22. Iraq
23. Japan
24. Kyrgyzstan
25. Laos
26. Malaysia
27. Mexico
28. Moldova
29. Mongolia
30. Montenegro
31. Morocco
32. Mozambique
33. Myanmar
34. Nicaragua
35. Pakistan
36. Panama
37. Democratic People's Republic of Korea
38. Peru
39. Philippines
40. Paraguay
41. Romania
42. Russia
43. Serbia
44. Singapore
45. Slovakia
46. South Africa
47. Republic of Korea
48. Sri Lanka
49. Thailand
50. Tunisia
51. Turkey
52. Ukraine
53. Uruguay
54. Venezuela

• Contact a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad for visa fees

A tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days.

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Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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You can only apply for a tourist visa at a Vietnamese embassy, consulate abroad. For those who have been invited by a competent Vietnamese organ or is travelling on a package tour organized by a Vietnamese travel company you can get a visa at the border gates.

If you are obtaining your visa with the help a travel agency you will need to provide the following information:

• Full name
• Birthday and place of birth
• Nationality
• Job
• Number of your passport
• Entry and exit dates
• Country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates

Vietnamese overseas are required to provide more information:

• Year and reason to leave Vietnam
• Leave Vietnam by means
• Full names and addresses of relations in Vietnam

Here is a procedure on how you can apply for a tourist visa for Vietnam.

According to visa exemption agreements that the Vietnamese Government has signed with some countries, nationals from the following countries can enter and stay in Vietnam without visa for a period of time.

For people who hold ordinary passports:

• Countries: Term of residence
• Singapore: less than 30 days
• Thailand: less than 30 days
• Malaysia: less than 30 days
• Philippines: less than 30 days
• Laos: less than 30 days
• Indonesia: less than 30 days
• Republic of Korea: less than 15 days
• Japan: less than 15 days
• Cambodia: less than 14 days
• Sweden: less than 15 days
• Finland: less than 15 days
• Denmark: less than 15 days
• Norway: less than 15 days

Nationals from some other countries can also enjoy visa exemption when they hold diplomatic or official passports:

• Countries: Term of residence
• France: less than 90 days
• Turkey: less than 90 days
• Slovakia: less than 90 days
• Paraguay: less than 90 days
• Ecuador: less than 90 days
• Dominica: less than 90 days
• Chile: less than 60 days
• Mozambique: less than 90 days
• Pakistan: less than 90 days

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Socialist Republic of Vietnam Government Portal:

http://www.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/English/visa-procedure

http://www.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/English/qna?_piref138_54248_138_40940_40940.viewDisplay=detail&_piref138_54248_138_40940_40940.replyId=1122

More information which might help people.