Citizens from an additional 6 countries, alongside the 40 countries that are already permitted, are applicable for e-visas when entering Viet Nam, according to a recently-issued document signed by the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

International passengers arriving at Da Nang's Tien Sa Port

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued Resolution 124/NQ-CP, on 29 November, supplementing the list of countries whose citizens are piloting e-visas when entering Viet Nam under the Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP, including Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, India, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The resolution took effect immediately following its signing date.

Among the new additions, Australians are the 7^th biggest group of foreign arrivals to Vietnam and among the top spenders, while visitors from the other markets have grown strongly this year.

Under the program, tourists will be able to apply online for 30-day, single-entry e-visas by paying a non-refundable application fee online.

Previously, Decree No. 07/2017, which took effect in February 2017, stipulates that visitors from the following 40 countries can apply for and receive Vietnamese visas online.  They are Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Ireland, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brunei, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Chile, Colombia, Czech, Cuba, Denmark, Timor-Leste, the US, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, the UK, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Japan, Panama, Peru, Finland, France, the Philippines, Romania, Spain, Sweden, China (not applicable for Chinese e-passport holders), Uruguay, Venezuela, Norway and Slovakia.

According to the decree, foreigners can apply for e-visas by accessing https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or https://immigration.gov.vn, run by the Ministry of Public Security, to upload photos and passport pages following the designed form, before receiving the electronic file code and paying a non-refundable fee online to the account specified on the e-visa information page.

Within 3 working days from the date of receiving the information on the application for e-visas and visa fees, the Immigration Department shall consider and settle the applications and reply to the electronic visa applicants through the electronic visa information page.

Foreigners applying for e-visas can use the electronic file code to check the results at the above e-visa website; if they are granted electronic visas, they can use the electronic code to print their visas.

In addition to specifying the list of countries having piloted e-visas to Viet Nam, the governmental decree also promulgates a list of 28 international border gates and airports allowing foreigners to enter or exit Viet Nam on an e-visa. 

In detail, there are 8 airports (Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Cat Bi, Can Tho, Phu Quoc and Phu Bai); 13 border crossings (Mong Cai/Quang Ninh Province, Huu Nghi/Lang Son Province, Lao Cai/Lao Cai Province, Nam Can/Nghe An Province, Cau Treo/Ha Tinh Province, Cha Lo/Quang Binh Province, Lao Bao/Quang Tri Province, Bo Y/Kon Tum Province, Moc Bai/Tay Ninh Province, Tinh Bien/An Giang Province, Song Tien/An Giang Province and Ha Tien/Kien Giang Province); and 7 sea ports (Hon Gai/Quang Ninh Province, Hai Phong, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Quy Nhon/Binh Dinh Province, Vung Tau, and Ho Chi Minh City).

(Source: NDO/ Da Nang Today)