Vietnam began granting electronic visas for foreign citizens from 40 countries worldwide as from February 1, 2017 which is expected to be a breakthrough in attracting foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Foreign tourists visit central Thua Thien - Hue province (Photo: VNA)

To apply for e-visas, foreign citizens must complete a form available on two separate websites (one in Vietnamese at http://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn and the other in English at http://www.immigration.gov.vn) run by the Ministry of Public Security. They will receive an application code and will be asked to pay a non-refundable fee online.

It will take three working days for tourists to find out if their applications have been approved or not.

The 40 countries include Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Ireland, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brunei, South Korea, Germany, Chile, China (not applicable to Chinese e-passport holders), Colombia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Timor Leste,United States of America, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Japan, Panama, Peru, Finland, France, The Philippines,Romania, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, Venezuela, Norway, and Slovakia.

Major General Le Xuan Vien, Director of the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, was quoted by Vietnam News Agency as saying that it will benefit the country’s economic development and international integration target, contributing to ensuring national security and social order.

The granting of normal visa will still be implemented in line with regulations of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence for Foreigners in Vietnam, he noted.