Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. A passport valid for at least one month after expiration of the visa is also required.

Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without an entry visa. Those countries include: most Asean countries, South Korea, Japan and Scandinavians. All other citizens are required to get an entry visa or a pre-approved entry visa (final visa is issued on arrival at one of Vietnam's three international airports) before arrival in Vietnam.

A visa is issued at the Vietnamese diplomatic offices or consulates in foreign countries. A visa on arrival process has recently been introduced, but this requires a pre-arranged application to Hanoi Immigration Department and is generally helpful to nationals of countries without Vietnamese embassies. A tourist visa is usually valid for 30 days from the proposed date of entry. Visas can normally be extended by another 30 days, at extra costs, in the larger cities. Vietnamese visas are usually valid for only one entry. Persons planning to leave Vietnam and re-enter from another country should be sure to obtain a visa allowing multiple entries.  

When applying for a Vietnam visa, you have to fill in two identical entrance application forms and enclose two 4x6 cm photos, your passport and the fee for the visa issuance. Processing normally takes between three to seven days, but to be on the safe side, allow several weeks. One of the forms with photo attached will be returned to you with your visa. Remember to bring this form with you, because you will be asked to hand it in at immigration.

On the airplane (or on arrival at the border crossing) you will be given a form to fill in. This is a combined "Arrival/Departure & Baggage Declaration Form". This will need to be completed and submitted to immigration & customs on arrival. Make sure that you do not lose the yellow copy of this form, as it must also be submitted on departure. If you lose this form you could be fined on departure and face the possibility of having your belongings confiscated. Hotels in Vietnam will also require this yellow form together with your passport for registration. It is a good idea to make photocopies of your Arrival/Departure & Baggage Declaration Form at your your hotel and keep them separately, just in case you lose the originals, it may make things easier at departure. Also never carry your original passport on you, keep it safe at the hotel, and bring a copy.

Entry requirements may change from time to time, so make sure to check with the nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate to get the latest information.