When entering Vietnam on a cruise, it’s important to prepare your travel documents ahead. If you came from countries that would require a visa to enter the country, then you need to apply for a visa before you leave for Vietnam. Thankfully, getting a visa for Vietnam is now so easy. Here’s everything you need to know about the visa requirements for cruise ship passengers to Vietnam.
Is a Visa Required When Entering Vietnam on a Cruise?
Whether you are flying into Vietnam, traveling by land, or taking a cruise ship, you need to present a visa when entering the country for a holiday or other purposes. There are a few nationalities that don’t need a visa to enter the country as part of Vietnam’s visa exemption policy.
But for those that need a visa, using the Vietnam e-visa is highly recommended. But this visa is only available to citizens of the following countries:
- All European countries
- Venezuela
- Vanuatu
- Uruguay
- United States
- United Arab Emirates
- Timor Leste
- Switzerland
- South Korea
- Solomon Islands
- Serbia
- San Marino
- Samoa
- Russia
- Qatar
- Philippines
- Peru
- Papua New Guinea
- Panama
- Palau
- Norway
- North Macedonia
- New Zealand
- Nauru
- Myanmar
- Montenegro
- Mongolia
- Monaco
- Moldova
- Micronesia
- Mexico
- Marshall Islands
- Malta
- Macau
- Liechtenstein
- Kazakhstan
- Japan
- India
- Iceland
- Hong Kong
- Georgia
- Fiji
- Cuba
- Colombia
- China
- Canada
- Brunei
- Brazil
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Belarus
- Azerbaijan
- Australia
- Armenia
- Argentina
- Andorra
Do You Need a Multiple Entry Visa If a Cruise Stops At Several Ports?
The Vietnam e-visa is easy to apply since you can get it online. However, this visa is only good for single entry and this is a cause for concern for those who are entering on a cruise and will be stopping at several Vietnamese ports.
But it’s important to note that even if the cruise ship will travel from one port to another, this will only count as one visit for the passenger. Therefore, you don’t need to apply for a multiple entry visa when traveling to Vietnam on a cruise.
Below is a list of the main port cities where Vietnamese cruises will usually stop:
- Saigon Seaport in Ho Chi Minh city
- Phu My Seaport in Vung Tau City
- Nha Trang Seaport in Nha Trang city
- Hon Gai Seaport in Ha Long Bay
- Cam Pha Seaport in Ha Long Bay
- Chan May Seaport in Hue city
- Da Nang Seaport in Da Nang city
- Hai Phong Seaport in Hai Phong city
- Quy Nhon Seaport in Quy Nhon city
- Nghi Son Seaport in Thanh Hoa city
- Vung Ang Seaport in Ha Tinh city
- Dung Quat Seaport in Quang Ngai city
- Phu Quoc Seaport in Phu Quoc Island
Applying for a Vietnam Visa for a Cruise in Vietnam
For those who are entering Vietnam on a cruise ship, there are two main options for getting a Vietnam visa:
- Getting a loose-leaf visa upon arrival at the shipping docks of Vietnam.
- Applying for a Vietnam e-visa online in advance.
Depending on where you came from, it might be possible for you to apply for a Vietnam visa while onboard a cruise ship. There are some cruise companies that offer this. For this option, you will have to fill out the application form while on the ship and collect a loose-leaf visa at the port.
Another option is to apply for the Vietnam e-visa online. However, this visa is only available to certain nationalities.
Loose-Leaf Visa for Cruise Ship Passengers in Vietnam
The loose-leaf visa is a paper document that the Vietnamese immigration authorities would issue to foreign tourists. Unlike the standard Vietnam visa, the loose-leaf visa for cruise passengers is not stamped into the passport. Instead, this will be issued as a separate piece of paper that the tourist must bring in person. It must be submitted at the immigration counter along with their passport.
Vietnam e-Visa for Cruise Ship Passengers
Some cruise companies would not issue loose-leaf visas to cruise passengers. In this case, your best bet is to apply for the Vietnam e-visa. If you belong to any of the countries mentioned above that qualify for this visa, then all you need to do is to go online and fill out the application form for an e-visa. When your online application is approved, you will get the visa through email. Print the visa and carry it on your cruise.
Tips on Using the Vietnam Visas for Cruise Ship Passengers
Make sure you always carry a copy of the visa with you whenever you get off the cruise and explore Vietnam. This is an essential travel document that proves you have every right to be in Vietnam as a foreign tourist. Aside from the visa, you must make sure to carry your passport with you wherever you go.
If the cruise ship will stop at several entry ports in Vietnam, you only need to submit the visa at the first port of entry. For the rest of the stops, all you need to do is to show the visa and passport at the border control officers.
Before you travel to Vietnam, you must read up the health information about the country and the necessary vaccines for your safety.
