Having trouble paying for your Vietnam visa? Here's the solution

Do you dream of discovering the wonders of Vietnam, but the visa process has you in a cold sweat? Don't panic! The solution to your Vietnamese e-visa payment problems is at hand. Let's dive into the administrative maze to guide you towards a successful visa application.

Vietnam just a click away... or almost

Gone are the days when you had to go to the embassy to obtain your precious sesame. A few years ago, Vietnam introduced an electronic visa system designed to simplify life for travelers. But as is often the case with technology, what should be child's play can quickly turn into an obstacle course.

Many travelers hit a brick wall when it came to paying for their e-visa. The official site seemed to systematically reject payments, leaving future visitors in the lurch.. Frustrating, isn't it? But don't despair, because an ingenious trick has been discovered by some determined globetrotters.

The trick that changes everything

The problem? It seems that some IP addresses, particularly French ones, are blocked by the Vietnamese payment system. The solution? As simple as it is effective: use a VPN. By connecting via a server located in another country, such as the USA, Germany or even certain Asian countries, you could unblock the situation and finalize your payment without a hitch.

If you're looking for a VPN, we sometimes use Proton VPN (unsponsored link), a free VPN that respects its users' data, from the founders of ProtonMail.

Instructions for a headache-free visa

1. Choose a reliable VPN service (Proton VPN is often cited, but other options exist)
2. Connect to a server in an "unblocked" country
3. Visit the official Vietnamese e-visa application website
   As if that wasn't enough, there are now 3 official URLs for applying for an e-Visa for Vietnam:
   – https://thithucdientu.gov.vn/
   – https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/
   – https://evisa.gov.vn/ (the latter at least has the advantage of being in English from the outset)
4. Fill in the form with your personal information
5. Proceed to payment, which this time should be accepted

Details that make all the difference

Remember, the devil is in the detail. Make sure you spell your first and last names exactly as they appear on your passport. An error at this stage could delay the processing of your application by several weeks.

Features of the Vietnamese e-Visa

Since August 15, 2023, the Vietnamese e-Visa has been accessible to citizens of all countries and territories. This opening marks a turning point in the country's welcome policy, facilitating entry for travelers from all over the world.

Nationality	Length of Stay Exempt
France	45 days
Germany	45 days
Italy	45 days
Spain	45 days
United Kingdom	45 days
Suede	45 days
Denmark	45 days
Finland	45 days
Norway	45 days
Japan	45 days
South Korea	45 days
Russia	45 days
Belarus	45 days
Indonesia	30 days
Cambodia	30 days
Laos	30 days
Malaysia	30 days
Singapore	30 days
Thailand	30 days
Philippines	21 days
Brunei	14 days
Burma	14 days
Vietnamese nationals living abroad	5 years
Foreign nationals of Vietnamese origin	5 years
Spouses/children of Vietnamese nationals or foreigners of Vietnamese origin	5 years

Holders of ordinary Chinese biometric passports must exchange their e-Visa for a free paper visa on arrival. This measure is linked to the presence of a controversial map of the South China Sea in these passports.

The e-Visa covers a wide range of travel purposes, including :

• Tourism
• Business
• Family visits
• Short-term studies

Duration and flexibility

The e-Visa offers two options:

• Input simple valid for up to 90 days
• Inputs multiple also valid for up to 90 days

This flexibility allows travelers to plan longer stays or frequent return trips without administrative hassle. Processing usually takes 3 to 5 working days.

Reasonable cost

The price of the e-Visa is :

• 25 USD for a single entry
• 50 USD for multiple entries

Multiple entry points

Vietnam has considerably expanded the list of entry points accepting e-Visa. These include:

International airports

• Noi Bai (Hanoi)
• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Da Nang
• Cam Ranh
• Phu Quoc
• And several others, totalling 13 airports

Land border crossings

The country has 16 land ports of entry, including :

• Mong Cai (Chinese border)
• Lao Cai (Chinese border)
• Moc Bai (Cambodian border)
• Lao Bao (Laotian border)

Seaports

13 ports are authorized to receive e-Visa holders, including :

• Hai Phong
• Da Nang
• Nha Trang
• Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

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