Which type of visa you need to visit Vietnam depends on your nationality. Many nationalities can enter Vietnam for tourism or business purposes for a period of up to 15 days, inclusive of entry and exit dates, without a visa. If you are intending to visit Vietnam for these purposes for between 15 and 30 days, you can apply for an e-visa online prior to arrival. For visits longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa, before you travel, at your nearest embassy or consulate.

There is a separate visa waiver in place for the island of Phú Quốc, which allows the majority of visitors to visit visa-free for up to 30 days. This does not apply to anywhere outside of Phú Quốc.

Spouses or children of Vietnamese nationals / citizens / permanent residents can apply for visa exemption certificates. These certificates are valid for up to five years at a time and permit multiple entries for six-month periods. You can apply at your nearest embassy, or at the Department of Immigration in Vietnam.

When visiting Vietnam, your passport should have a minimum validity of six months from the date you arrive. It will also need to have at least two blank pages. It is possible to have your entry refused if your passport has been damaged, and numerous cases of this have been reported.

It is common practice in Vietnam, when you are registering at a hotel, to hand over your passport. This is so that they can take your details and register your presence with the local police, which is required of all foreigners by law. However, they should always give your passport back to you, and shouldn’t have to keep it behind the desk for any reason. If you are staying in private accommodation, you will need to register your presence yourself.   more ...

Vietnam is an increasingly attractive destination for expats seeking employment. As the country becomes more and more industrialised, foreign specialists are in demand, and the range of jobs is developing beyond the education and tourism sectors. Unemployment is currently low. Salaries in Vietnam are not comparable to Western nations, but the cost of living is also not as high. Further to this, some jobs, such as teaching, may come with accommodation. The number of foreign workers in Vietnam has been steadily rising, although most expats work for international companies running FDI (foreign direct investment) projects.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Vietnam and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.   more ...

Vietnam as is not the most popular expat destination, primarily because of its turbulent past. In the last 30 years, this nation has been trying to recover from several challenges, including the ravages of war, and the lack of financial support from the Soviet Bloc, a traditional ally. However, this Asian country can offer you a lifetime of adventure as well as a true taste of modern living. In the last few years, this nation has gained some amount of popularity with expats from all over the world, mainly because of its fast growing economy, high earning potential and good quality of life. Vietnam has made noteworthy advances in liberalization in almost all aspects, ranging from economics to social affairs. The government is also trying to make things easier for those who are interested in moving to this country by introducing a new E-Visa scheme.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Vietnam and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.   more ...

What motivated you to move from New Zealand to live and work in Vietnam?

Ursula: Ronald and I had always said we'd love to work in Vietnam, and especially in Ho Chi Minh City. We visited the city during a period of travelling, and both commented on how it would make a great city to teach and live in.

Ron: The vibe, food, and culture of Vietnam and South East Asia is unbeatable!   more ...

For a long time, and until relatively recently, Vietnam had been associated almost entirely with conflict, trauma, and poverty – the French colonization, the Japanese occupation, subsequent freedom along with the split into North and South Vietnam, followed by the notorious Vietnam War, which eventually ended with reunification under a communist government. This led to several years of oppression, poverty, and isolation.   more ...

Since 1986, when the Vietnamese government started a steady process of economic and political reform, the country has not only prospered but opened itself up to the world. It now attracts quite a large number of expats from all over the world. If you’re someone who’s planning to move to Vietnam, here are a few tips that should come in handy.   more ...

Vietnam is fast becoming a popular expat destination for a number of reasons, including its great weather, rich culture, and a much lower cost of living than most other South-East Asian countries. However, when planning a move to Vietnam, you should keep in mind that it is a developing nation, and some of the ordinary conveniences that you are used to in your home country may well be a luxury in that country. Here are ten essentials you should pack when you move to Vietnam.   more ...

In the last few decades since Vietnam opened up and started a range of political and economic reforms, the country has rapidly improved its profile as a tourist destination. Unsurprisingly, many people have visited the country as tourists, fallen in love with it, and decided to come back to live there for a longer period of time. The country’s natural beauty, great weather, low cost of living, rich culture, and the government’s eagerness to invest in infrastructure make it a very attractive expat destination.   more ...