As a citizen of Tonga, you are required to apply for a Vietnam visa before you enter the country from Tonga. It does not matter how much time you are planning on spending in Vietnam, you will need to present an approved Vietnam visa to the immigration officers at the border. There are two options for you to choose from: either you apply for a Visa on Arrival, by far the most popular alternative, or go to your nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate where you can apply for a visa.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Tonga? (No, citizens of Tonga are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa)
From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NÄ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for anĀ e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Tonga national in this list, therefore, citizens of Tonga should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of VietnamĀ
You can apply for a Visa on Arrival from anywhere in the world. All you need is your computer and internet. If you apply for this type of visa, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports in following cities: 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 canāt enter Vietnam by bus, car, and so forth.
The process is very easy. What you need to do is fill out the Online Application form where you state your date of birth and other relevant information. You will then have to wait for a confirmation email that usually arrives within 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive an Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes donāt forget to print it out so the immigration officers in Vietnam can stamp your passport. If by chance you need to get an emergency visa, it will cost you more money, but you will be able to get it faster. You will get it within 30 minutes to 4 hours.
You also have the option to buy āOn Arrival Supportā which is a very good option for those who wants to check in to Vietnam faster:
- Standard Support : +US$20/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the āvisa on arrivalā 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 our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
- VIP Support : +US$35/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the āvisa on arrivalā 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 our staff to pay for the visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Tonga
The second option is to apply for a visa in your local or nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Tonga. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because itās not as convenient if you donāt live close to the embassy. It means you will have to spend time on transportation and money. You will also need to remember to bring all the necessary documents, such as passport, and if you by any chance forget anything, you need to start all over again with the process. It is 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.
When your visa has been approved of, do not forget to print out all necessary documents to present to the immigration officers together with two photos of yourself and cash. You can pay with EUR and USD as well. If you fail to do this, the immigration officers has the right to deny you entrance into the country.
Once you have entered the country, it is time to enjoy your vacation! There are plenty of things to see and do in Vietnam. If you are a big fan of beaches, the country has a stunning coastline where you can choose between busier beaches to more private ones. You also have big, bustling cities that never sleep, where you can indulge in excellent food and go on a shopping spree. Hanoi, the capital city, offers this and much, much more. For the nature lovers you can just about go anywhere in the country and you will find stunning landscapes where you can go hiking, see waterfalls, kayaking, canyoning, go trekking or why not try kitesurfing in Mui Ne. As you can see, the possibilities are endless and you will be thrilled that you chose Vietnam as your travel destination!
