Vietnam visa requirements for Thai citizens
As the Vietnam immigration policy, the Thai passport holders travelling Vietnam for tourism purposes can stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days with visa free. As the Vietnam visa exempted country, the Thai citizens can enter Vietnam by any port of arrival including airports (for air entry), border gates on land (for traveling by bus or train) or sea port (for traveling by cruise, ship).
Thai passport holders don’t need Vietnam visa for 30 days;
Thai citizens are NOT eligible for e-visa;
Thai citizens can get visa on arrival from 6 USD + stamping fee;
Thai businessmen can apply for DN business visa for working with Vietnam Enterprises;
Thai businessmen can apply for 2 years Temporary Residence Cards;
In order to re-enter Vietnam with visa free program, the Thai passport holders have to to wait 30 days between two entries. Otherwise, they will need to apply for Vietnam visa.
1. What do Thai citizens need for Vietnam visa?
In order to apply for Vietnam visa, the citizens of Thailand will need a valid passport which is at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival and there are blank pages for visa stamp.
2. How do Thailand nationals apply for Vietnam visa?
2.1. Apply online for a Vietnam visa on arrival
The Thai passport holders can apply Vietnam visa on arrival from anywhere outside of Vietnam. The Vietnam visa will be picked up upon arrival at the Vietnam airports by showing up the printed approval letter.
The approval letter will be sent via email within 1 or 2 working days (normal processing mode), 4 working hours (urgent processing mode) or even 1 hour (emergency processing mode) depending on which option the applicant chooses when submitting online application form.
The aim of visa on arrival is to make the trip to Vietnam easier and cheaper. It is applicable only to those traveling by air to Vietnam. Vietnam visa on arrival is especially an advantage to those living far from the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.
By using Vietnam visa on arrival, the Thai applicants do not need to wait too long to get the approval letter, an official document issued by Vietnam Immigration Department giving permission to get the visa upon arrival.
In order to get a Vietnam visa on arrival, the Thai citizens should pay two types of fee: the service fee and the stamping fee.
Service fee: The service fee is for visa approval letter processing.
Stamping fee: The stamping fee is paid in cash to the Vietnam Immigration Officer at the arrival airport to get the visa stamp. The applicants must prepare the processing fee in cash (USD or VND) as far as there is no ATM, money changer or any other way to withdraw money in the immigration hall and credit cards are not accepted. Other currencies will be converted into USD at given exchange rate.
Useful notes:
– Visa on arrival is only applicable for the visitors traveling Vietnam by air.
2.2. Apply for e-visa for Vietnam
From 1 February 2017, the citizens of following countries are eligible to apply for e-visas for Vietnam. As Thailand is not in the list, Vietnam e-visa is NOT available for Thai passport holders at present.
2.3. Apply for Vietnam visa directly at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulates
For those who want to get a Vietnam visa beforehand or want to travel to Vietnam by land or sea, they can go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate nearest their location.
The address of Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Thailand for your information:
Embassy of Vietnam in Bangkok, Thailand
Address: 83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Phone: (662) 267 9602
Fax: (662) 254 4630
Email: vnembtl@asianet.co.th
Office hours for public: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM; 13:30 PM – 16:30 PM from Monday to Friday (except Vietnamese and Thai public holidays)