Vietnam – one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia, is taking the world with storm. Travelers from all over the world is falling in love with Vietnam and the expat community is ever growing. But why is this country getting so much attention and why should you also visit it?

There’s several reasons why people love Vietnam and everyone have their own opinions about it, but the undeniable beauty of the country is a big reason to why people loves it here. Vietnam is home to many golden sand beaches, a stunning coast, grand mountains, jungles, underground caves, rivers, ancient towns, metropole cities, and much more. You can travel in Vietnam for months, yet still not see everything. The country is really diverse which you can tell when you travel in the north, central and south of Vietnam. Not only does the landscape differ, the food, culture and weather also changes. Vietnam is never boring, it’s safe, it’s known to be very affordable (great if you’re traveling on a tight budget!), and it’s overall just a fantastic country to spend your time in.

Since Nepal is not on the visa exempt list, all citizens of Nepal are required to apply for a Vietnam visa before arriving to the country. There are two options to apply for a visa. It’s highly recommended to get the Visa on Arrival, which is acquired online. You can apply for it from wherever you are in the world. However, if you plan on arriving to Vietnam by land, for example crossing the border from Cambodia to Vietnam, you must apply for a visa via the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

Can you apply for Vietnam e-visa if you are a Nepal passport holder?

We are sorry to say that citizens of Nepal are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa.

From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NĐ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for an e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Nepal national in this list, therefore, citizens of Nepal should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam

How to apply Vietnam visa for Nepal citizens?

Visa on Arrival – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam

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, quick and affordable. To apply for a VOA, you need your 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 out the Online Application form with all relevant information. What you need to state in the application form is:

• Your full name, as stated in your passport
• Date of Birth – The format they use in Vietnam is DD/MM/YY
• Your nationality – as stated in your passport
• Your passport number
• Date of Arrival – you can state a date of arrival and then arrive later, but not earlier

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:

• Standard Support

The 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 the staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.

• VIP Support

The 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 staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.

Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate

The reason why applying for a visa with the Consulate or Embassy of Vietnam in the nearby country of Nepal 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.