Have you been dreaming of going to Vietnam for a while now? Well, you’re not alone! Vietnam’s tourism has boomed a lot in the past years and the popularity just seems to be on the rise. Not only is Vietnam one of the most affordable countries to travel in Asia, but it’s also very diverse. You can do so many things here and also – the food is delicious! If you love food, then this is the place to be. There is a reason why Vietnamese cuisine has spread worldwide.
Peaceful Hoi An ancient town from high view
If you are planning on traveling to Vietnam, try to stay for at least one month. The country is big and traveling takes a while. And most importantly – there are so many beautiful sights to see! Many people rent a motorbike and go from north to south (or other way around) and stop at some beautiful places such as Halong Bay, Sapa, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. If you like to be active, there are many hiking spots both in the north and further south. If you prefer to relax and be on beaches, go to the coastline and you will find plenty of nice beaches. Some even offer kite surfing and other water sport activities!
As a citizen from Guatemala, you need a Vietnam visa in order to enter the country. There are two alternatives: you can either apply for a VOA, which is a Visa on Arrival, or you can go to your local or nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in order to get your visa.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Guatemala? (No, Guatemalan citizens are not eligible for Vietnam e-visa)
From 01 Feb 2019, under Decision 17/2019/NĐ-CP of the Government of Vietnam, there are 80 countries which citizens of it are eligible to apply online for an e-visa of Vietnam online (e-visa is a single entry valid for staying 30 days). We check but not found Guatemala national in this list, therefore, Guatemalan citizens should choose two options below to get a visa for Vietnam
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Apply online for pre-approval then pick up visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
Vietnam visa on arrival desk in Da Nang city
This option is preferred by many foreigners who comes to Vietnam. It is easy to apply to, convenient, quick and it saves you time. You can also apply for the VOA from anywhere in the world. All you need is your computer and internet. If you apply for this visa, you are allowed to enter Vietnam through any of the 5 international airports in 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 can’t enter Vietnam by bus, car, et cetera.
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. Then you wait for a confirmation email that will come in around 1-2 working hours. Normally you will receive a Visa Approval Letter within 2 working days. When the letter comes, don’t 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. It will take from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
On arrival support for fast check-in at Vietnam Airports
You now also have the option to buy “On Arrival Support”, 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 “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, then take care 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 visa stamp fee.
- VIP Support : +US$35/pp
Our staff will meet you in front of the “visa on arrival” desk with a welcome board, receive your passport and give it back with the visa in 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 visa stamp fee.
2. Apply for a visa through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the nearby countries of Guatemala
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in the closest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Guatemala. The reason why this option might not be recommended is because it’s not as convenient if you don’t 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. However, this is one of the choices that you can choose from, so if you happen to prefer this option, then it is good to know that it exists.
When everything is done and taken care of, you can start planning your trip to the far east! It is an adventure that you won’t soon forget and going to Vietnam is definitely one of the highlights of Asia.
