• Overview

VIETNAM VISA FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS

Vietnam Visa For Australian Citizens. Before you travel, ensure that your passport is up to date and that you have filed for a visa to Vietnam. As an Australian citizen, you must get a visa to enter Vietnam. Vietnam does provide visas to Australian nationals upon arrival.

Vietnam Visa For Australian Citizens Information:

As of 2024, Australian nationals must have a valid visa to enter Vietnam and are eligible for the 90-day e-visa (single or multiple entry). The documents listed below may require:

Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the arrival date.
The passport has at least two blank visa pages.

 

Information for AU passports traveling to Vietnam:

Do Australian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. Australian nationals are REQUIRED to obtain a valid visa to enter Vietnam either as a tourist or in transit or in any other capacity. Currently, the following types of visas are available for Australians:

Tourist visa: Tourist visa is issued for the purpose of tourism and sightseeing.

Business visa: To conduct business, negotiation, market research, or seek investment opportunities in Vietnam.

Work visa: To work or intern in Vietnam.

Study visa: This visa is used for studying, researching, or teaching at universities or other educational institutions in Vietnam.

Family visit visa: This visa is issued for the purpose of visiting family members or friends in Vietnam.

Climate: Vietnam is a tropical nation where monsoons have a strong impact on the weather. Hong Kong, on the other hand, has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild and dry winters.
Weather: Vietnam has two seasons: the rainy season, which lasts from May to September, and the dry season, which lasts from November to April.

Summary of the visa requirements for Australian passports:

Visa requirements	Yes
Visa exemption (5 years)	Vietnamese Australians Australians whose spouses are Vietnamese nationals
Visa on arrival eligibility	Eligible
E-visa eligibility	Eligible
Tourism statistics by year	2023: 96,923 visitors 2022: 99,223 visitors 2020: 92,227 visitors 2019: 385,255 visitors 2018: 376,834 visitors 2017: 372,238 visitors

Visa exemption for Australian Citizens:

Australian citizens can request for a 5-year visa exemption from the appropriate authorities provided they have a relative as a guarantor. For the 5-year visa exemption, the visa applicant and guarantor in Vietnam must provide the required. documentation proving their familial ties.

Australian passports are exempt from visas in Vietnam if they meet the following conditions:

• A passport or international travel document must be valid for at least 1 year.
• They have a Vietnamese relative who is a guarantor, such as a spouse or a child, and can provide supporting documents to prove the relationship as regulated in Article 2 of Decree No. 82/2015/NĐ-CP, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
• They are not subject to the entry ban or exit delay as regulated in Article 28 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13.

Exemption of visa for Australian people who are relatives of Vietnamese or Vietnamese Australians requires the following documents:

• Visa exemption request form for a 5-year visa (according to the template).
• Two 4x6 portrait photos, white background (1 photo to be attached to the visa exemption request form, 1 photo to be kept).
• Australian passport or travel document has a validity of at least one year (and provide a copy for record-keeping purposes).
• Documents proving family relationships such as a spouse, husband, wife, or child of a Vietnamese national residing abroad (a notarized copy or original document for verification is required):
  • Marriage certificate proving the marital relationship.
  • Birth certificate proving the parent-child relationship.
  • Confirmation of parent-child relationship.
  • Adoption decision.

Visa exemption for Vietnamese Australian citizens living in Australia:

Vietnamese immigrants in Australia can obtain a 5-year visa exemption. Here are the required documents for visa exemption:

• The application form for visa exemption for foreigners (according to the provided template).
• Two 4x6 portrait photos with white background (one to be attached to the application form and one to be kept separately).
• Passport or a valid international travel document issued by an authorized foreign agency, with remaining validity of at least one year.
• Documents proving eligibility for visa exemption (if available), specifically including:
  • Vietnamese citizenship certificate
  • Decision to restore Vietnamese citizenship (copy or extract)
  • Decision to renounce Vietnamese citizenship (copy or extract)
  • Confirmation of renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship
  • Vietnamese passport (valid or expired)
  • ID card or citizen identification card (valid or expired)
  • Birth certificate issued by the authorized Vietnamese agency
  • Original household registration book issued by the authorized agency in Vietnam
  • Previously issued travel permit book before 1975
  • Previously issued ID card before 1975
  • Certified copy of the birth certificate issued before 1975

How to apply for a Vietnamese visa on an Australian passport:

General information:

To obtain a visa for the purposes of tourism & family visits in Vietnam, you can apply online for an e-visa, visa on arrival, or at the Embassy or Consulate. The e-visa allows visitors to stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days and is valid for a single entry. The visa on arrival requires visitors to obtain a pre-approval letter from a travel agency before arrival in Vietnam and then obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport.

E-visa:

Vietnam e-visa for Australians now is only valid for a single entry and for tourism and family visit purposes only. You can stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days. If you intend to stay in Vietnam for an extended period or your purpose of the visit is different from tourism or business, you will need to apply for a different type of visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Australia.

Here are some steps to be completed to obtain a Vietnam e-visa:

1. Go to the official Vietnam e-visa website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt 
2. Click on “personally apply for E-visa” and then fill out the online application form by providing your personal, passport details and uploading a required passport-sized photo and a scanned copy of the biographical page of your passport.
3. Pay the e-visa fee (~36.98 AUD).
4. Print out the e-visa approval and present it at the airport upon your arrival in Vietnam.

Visa on arrival:

Australian citizens are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival to Vietnam. Here are the steps to apply:

1. Apply online for an approval letter through a visa agency in Vietnam.
2. Provide your personal information, travel details, and the purpose of your visit.
3. Pay the visa processing fee online.
4. Wait for the approval letter to be issued. This typically takes 2-3 working days and will be sent to you via email.
5. Print out the approval letter and prepare two passport-sized photos as well as the entry/exit form.
6. Upon arrival at Vietnam airport, present your approval letter, photos, and completed form to immigration officers to have your visa stamped.

Be aware that this type of visa applies to those traveling to Vietnam by air. If you plan to enter the country via land or sea, you will need to obtain a visa in advance from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate or apply for an e-visa.

Visa fees for Australian citizens:

Fee comparison:

E-visa	Visa on arrival
25 USD ~ 36.98 AUD	Approval letter: depending on the type of visa and duration of your stays Stamping fee:  25 USD (~36.98 AUD): single entry (01 - 03 months) 50 USD (~ 73.96 AUD): multiple entry (01-03 months)

Travel tips for Australian citizens visiting Vietnam:

How to get there:

Major domestic airlines in Vietnam and international airlines provide direct and connected flights between Vietnam and Australia.

Melbourne - Ho Chi Minh City:

Route	Airlines	Estimated prices (per pax/ one way)
Melbourne - Ho Chi Minh City	Vietnam Airlines	2271 AUD
Melbourne - Ho Chi Minh City	Cathay Pacific	585 AUD

Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City:

Route	Airlines	Estimated prices (per pax/ one way)
Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City	Bamboo Airways	1290 AUD
Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City	Scoot Airlines	771 AUD
Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City	Cebu Pacific	904 AUD

Canberra - Ho Chi Minh City:

Route	Airlines	Estimated prices (per pax/ one way)
Canberra - Ho Chi Minh City	Virgin Australia Cathay Pacific	980 AUD
Canberra - Ho Chi Minh City	Qantas Airways Malaysia Airlines	1360 AUD

Vietnam Weather information:

Australia and Vietnam have different climatic patterns since Vietnam is in Southeast Asia while Australia is in the southern hemisphere. Thus, meteorological conditions and temperatures fluctuate greatly. Vietnam's weather is typically warm and humid, with two seasons (rainy and dry), and a tropical monsoon climate. Meanwhile, weather in Australia differs by area.

As you intend to travel to Vietnam, you need to keep in mind the following important notes about weather patterns between the two countries.

1. Climate: Australia features a dry and arid climate with occasional tropical climates in the northern parts. Vietnam, on the other hand, has a tropical monsoon climate, with a wet (rainy) season from May to October and a dry season from November to April.
2. Temperature: Australia has a range of temperatures due to its vast landmass, with the northern regions being warmer than the southern regions. The summer temperatures in the northern regions can reach up to 35°C (95°F), while the winter temperatures in the southern regions can drop to around 10°C (50°F). In contrast, Vietnam's temperature is relatively consistent throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging between 22-27°C (71-81°F) depending on the season.
3. Precipitation: Vietnam experiences high levels of precipitation during the wet season, with heavy rainfall and occasional typhoons. In contrast, Australia has relatively low levels of precipitation, particularly in the central and southern regions, with the northern regions receiving more rainfall during the wet season.
4. Extreme weather events: Australia experiences severe weather events such as bushfires, floods, and cyclones, particularly during the summer months. Vietnam, on the other hand, is prone to typhoons, particularly during the wet season.