Vietnam has become one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, with over 12 million international visitors in 2017. Tourism is expected to rise even more and this is a great time to visit Vietnam. The country is famous for its lush mountains, pristine beaches, amazing cuisine and bustling cities, where you can go shopping, enjoy the nightlife and visit some spectacular sights. All this makes it a perfect destination for the one who wants to relax but still have the options of doing something different everyday. What is also so good about Vietnam is how affordable it is. Transportation, accommodation, food and shopping is all something you can get for a very reasonable price. Make sure to treat yourself to a spa day when you are here too.
The Intercontinental Hotel, Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang
If you want to make sure that you got time to visit most of the spots, try to stay here for a full month. The country’s size should not be underestimated and the sights are quite spread out in Vietnam so it is always advisable to stay for a longer period of time when you are visiting it for the first time. You will not regret extending your trip.
A very important thing to remember before traveling here is to get a Vietnam visa. As a citizen of Zambia you are required to apply for a visa, regardless of the length of your stay. You can apply for a visa either by getting a Visa on Arrival or go to your nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate.
I heard about Vietnam e-visa. Can I apply for Vietnam e-visa if I am citizens of Zambia? (No, Zambian 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 Zambia national in this list, therefore, Zambian 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 office in Da Nang Int’l Airport, Vietnam
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 major 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 can’t 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 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. You will get it within 30 minutes to 4 hours.
On arrival support for fast check-in at Vietnam Airports
You 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 Zambia
Vietnamese-visa-sticker-in-a-passport
The second option is to apply for a visa in your local or nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Zambia. 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 or consulate.
