Yes, Turkmen citizens need a visa for Vietnam. Turkmenistan is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so the easiest choice is the Vietnam visa for Turkmen citizens issued online: a 90-day e-visa costing US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, usually ready in about 3 working days.
Neither country has an embassy in the other, so the e-visa is also the most practical route. The two points that most often cause problems for Turkmen applicants are the spelling of the name and paying online, so this page explains both, along with timing, flights, costs and who to contact.
Vietnam visa for Turkmen citizens: quick facts (November 2026)
- Visa needed: yes. Turkmenistan is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list.
- Best option: e-visa, up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25 or US$50.
- Processing: about 3 working days, longer around Tet.
- Passport: valid at least 6 months after arrival, with blank pages.
- Time difference: Vietnam is 2 hours ahead of Ashgabat all year.
- Embassies: Vietnam covers Turkmenistan from Moscow; Turkmenistan has no mission in Vietnam.
How many Turkmen visitors go to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security counted 378 arrivals from Turkmenistan in 2019. Only 4 arrived in 2021, when Vietnam’s borders were closed. In 2022 the figure rose to 190, half the 2019 level, and January 2023 brought another 29 visitors.
Vietnam visa for Turkmen citizens: your options
| Option | Length | Government fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$25 | One holiday, study or business trip |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$50 | Several trips, or side trips to Thailand or Malaysia |
| Visa on arrival (approval letter) | As stated on the letter | US$25 / US$50 cash + letter fee | Some urgent air arrivals |
| Phu Quoc exemption | Up to 30 days | Free | Phu Quoc island only |
How to apply for a Vietnam visa as a Turkmen citizen
- Check your passport. It must be a valid biometric passport, with at least six months left after arrival and blank pages. The internal passport is not accepted for travel to Vietnam.
- Type your name without special letters. Copy the spelling from the two lines of letters at the bottom of your data page, which show how letters such as ä, ç, ň, ş, ý and ž are written there. Small differences between the form and the passport are a common reason for delays.
- Prepare a 4×6 cm portrait on a white background, no glasses, plus a full scan of the data page. See our Vietnam visa photo guide.
- Apply on evisa.gov.vn or through our service if you want your form checked before it is sent.
- Choose your entry gate from the list of e-visa ports of entry, matching the airport where you land.
Paying for the Vietnam visa for Turkmen citizens
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, the same for every nationality. The payment must be made online by an international card. Many cards issued in Turkmenistan cannot make online payments abroad, so check with your bank first. If yours does not work, a relative, employer or university abroad can pay with an international Visa or Mastercard. With a service, you pay the government fee plus a service fee, and the full total appears before payment. Compare all routes in our Vietnam visa cost guide.
When to apply: Nowruz, Tet and the time difference
Vietnam is 2 hours ahead of Turkmenistan all year. The 3 working days are counted on Hanoi time, so a form sent at 4 pm on a Friday in Ashgabat arrives at 6 pm in Hanoi, after office hours, and processing starts on Monday. Read more in our Vietnam visa processing time guide.
- Nowruz and Kurban Bayram: these holidays are popular times to travel. Apply at least 2 weeks before.
- Tet: Vietnam’s Lunar New Year starts on 6 February 2027. Processing slows or pauses around it; in 2026 the pause ran from 14 to 22 February. Apply in January for a February trip.
- Flights: there are no direct flights. Most travelers connect in Istanbul, Dubai or Bangkok on the way to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Embassies covering both countries
Vietnam for Turkmenistan. There is no Vietnamese embassy in Ashgabat. Instead, Vietnam’s ambassador to Russia, based in Moscow, is also accredited to Turkmenistan. You need the embassy only for paper visas or special cases, not for an e-visa.
Turkmenistan for Vietnam. Turkmenistan has no embassy or consulate in Vietnam. In an emergency, such as a lost passport, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ashgabat, which will tell you which Turkmen mission can help.
Worked examples
- Couple from Ashgabat, 10 days in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau: two single-entry e-visas (US$25 each), paid by a relative abroad with an international card.
- Textile buyer from Mary visiting factories near Hanoi: a single-entry e-visa with “business” as the purpose and the partner company’s details on the form.
- Student from Turkmenabat touring Vietnam and Thailand in 4 weeks: a multiple-entry e-visa (US$50) to leave and come back.
FAQ: Vietnam visa for Turkmen citizens
Do Turkmen citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Turkmenistan is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so you need an e-visa or another visa.
Is there a Vietnamese embassy in Turkmenistan?
No. Vietnam’s ambassador in Moscow covers Turkmenistan. For most trips, apply for the e-visa online.
Can I get a visa on arrival?
Only with an approval letter arranged before the flight, and only at international airports. See our guide to Vietnam visa on arrival.
Do I need the Digital Arrival Card?
If you land in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Cam Ranh, submit the free card within 72 hours before arrival. It is not a visa. Learn more about the Vietnam e-visa.
Sources: Vietnam Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP, 229/NQ-CP, 127/NQ-CP and 389/NQ-CP; Vietnam Ministry of Public Security arrival figures; AKIpress (September 2023). Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
