Vietnam
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi
Address: №5 Nui Truc str., Van Phuc Hanoi, P.O.Box 10
Tel.: +84 24 3845 2908
Fax: +84 24 3846 0856
Out-of-hours hotline: +84 83 940 9129
Official hours of the Consular Office: Mon - Fri, 9 -12 h
Е-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/vietnam
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Sofia
Address: 1113 Sofia, 1, Zhatvarka Street
Tel.: +359 2 963 26 09
Fax: +359 2 963 36 58
Е-mail: [email protected]
General information
general information
Security
The general safety is good. Extra caution is needed when taking part in the street and road traffic. The weather forecast shall be monitored for changes. Vietnam is a relatively safe country for tourists. In recent months, however, there has been information about burglaries of tourists in the Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) area. Traffic in certain regions (military and border areas) is limited and marked only in Vietnamese language or not marked at all.
Unexploded ordnances are still found in the remote areas, particularly in central Vietnam and along the border with Laos.
Tourists are advised to pay attention when choosing a travel agent and to the safety conditions when choosing cruises, river ports, one-day trips and any other trips. The popular area of Ha Long Bay is a scene of major maritime accidents, therefore, the visitor shall make sure the vessel is fit for seafaring. One must choose the most reliable travel agents and obtain information about security measures in advance. There have been cases of shipwreck during night cruises. For example, on 02.17.2011, a tourist ship has sunk, and 12 have died, whereas on 08/05/2011, 28 French tourists were injured in the sinking ship after a major accident.
Local currency
The official currency in Vietnam is dong.
As a rule, the payments in Vietnam are still made by hand. Besides in the official currency dong, prices are often fixed in dollars. Exchanging dong before entering the country is not recommended. Credit cards can be used for payment mostly in major international hotels and some shops and restaurants only. ATMs are located primarily in major cities.
Legislation specifics
Authorities classify drugs "as social evil." Their use and sale, even in small amounts, results in severe sentences under the Criminal Code of the country. It is strongly recommended not to accept packages or other goods from unknown persons. Baggage shall be packed personally and not be left unattended.
Road traffic
Traffic accidents are one of the major reasons for fatalities in the traffic and few people die every day. The main reasons thereof are the lack of vehicle maintenance and road maintenance, as well as negligent driving style. Driving at night is particularly dangerous if there are no street lights, due to incompliance with the speed limit and traffic rules such as crossing on red lights and not yielding the way.
With regard to drivers zero tolerance to alcohol is applied. The traffic police rarely have the equipment to measure the alcohol consumption by drivers. In case of traffic accidents the guilt is determined mainly by whether the right of way was taken.
It is recommended to use taxis or rental cars with a driver. International driving license, including Bulgarian one, are not valid in Vietnam and for the duration of stay they must be replaced with a Vietnamese driving license. The motorcycle helmet is compulsory throughout the country.
Healthcare
Vietnamese hospitals do not match the level of European ones. There are several foreign medical clinics in the country. Full insurance coverage is required for Vietnam. Before departure it is necessary to verify whether the insurance covers and includes also medical emergencies. It is important to read and verify all details of health and travel insurance. The repatriation of sick and dead persons is costly and difficult to organize if the insurance policy does not cover all damages.
Malaria is found in the mountainous areas of central and southern Vietnam (especially in the Mekong Delta), with the exception of large cities and the coast. On the other hand, dengue fever is found in cities like Hanoi. There is no vaccine for diseases that are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. The best way to prevent diseases caused by mosquito bites is by using light clothing with long sleeves.
There are still accidental cases of cholera (Hanoi and neighboring provinces), avian influenza, rabies and Japanese encephalitis.
Influenza A (H1N1)
In Vietnam there are frequent cases of influenza A (H1N1). Health authorities monitor the situation in the country and provide guidance on their website, to hospitals and health centers. The infected person shall seek medical care to determine whether the case is of influenza A (H1N1) in order to commence timely treatment.
Travel papers and visas
TRAVEL documentS AND VISAS
To travel to Vietnam you have to obtain a visa. You can apply for visa at the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia. Visa application form can be downloaded from the web site of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The visa applicant must submit in person the following documents to the Embassy:
- standard visa application form (attachment);
- color photo 4 x 6 cm, not older than one year, taken in full-face view directly facing the camera, without any head covering or dark glasses;
- valid passport or other substitute document for international travel, valid at least one month after the validity of the requested visa;
- document certifying the purpose of travel to Vietnam;
- information about visa for any third country;
- round trip airline ticket;
- invitations from Vietnamese institutions, individuals or legal entities, according to the type of visa requested.
Visas are single and multiple entry, and are the following types:
В2: issued to individuals for the implementation of investment projects that have a license;
ВЗ: issued to individuals for a business trip by invitation of Vietnamese businessmen;
С1: tourist visa;
С2: issued to individuals visiting Vietnam for other purposes;
D: issued to individuals without invitation from an institution, organization or individual.
NOTES:
- All visas are issued with permission from the Visa Control Directorate with the Ministry of Interior of Vietnam;
- The D type visa is valid for 15 days from the date of issue. Individuals who have received such visa must submit the following at the Vietnamese border control point:
- passport containing a D type visa;-
- return ticket from an airline (or another means of transportation) or a ticket to a third country;
- visa or residence document valid for entry into the country of permanent residence or a third country; if the person enjoys a visa-free regime of a third country, he/she must submit a certificate thereof issued by the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia;
- currency in cash or a check for minimum USD 1000.
Document processing time: from03 to 07 working days.
Visa fees
|
№ |
Types of visa |
Q-ty |
Price |
|
1. |
Single entry, entry – exit and transit visas |
1 visa |
45 USD |
|
2. |
Multiple entry – exit visa |
|
|
|
|
а) valid for up to 1 (one) month |
1 visa |
65 USD |
|
|
b) valid for up to 6 (six) months |
1 visa |
95 USD |
|
|
c) valid for 6 (six) months to 1 (one) year |
1 visa |
135 USD |
|
3. |
Transfer of visa from old passport to a newly issued passport |
1 visa |
15 USD |
|
4. |
Change of visa |
|
|
|
А) |
From single to multiple entry within its original validity |
|
|
|
|
- valid for up to 6 months |
1 visa |
25 USD |
|
|
- valid for more than 6 months |
1 visa |
75 USD |
|
Б) |
From single to multiple entry exceeding its original validity |
|
|
|
|
- valid for up to 6 months |
1 visa |
50 USD |
|
|
- valid for more than 6 months |
1 visa |
100 USD |
|
5. |
Adjustments and additions to already issued visa |
1 visa |
10 USD |
* The above fees do not include document processing fees.
Visa Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam
in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):
Immigration Department in Hanoi
Foreigner Management Department
40A Hang Bai Street, Hanoi
Tel.: +844 697 2822
fax: +844 3824 3287
Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City
Foreigner Management Department
254 Nguyen Trai Str.
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel.: +848 3920 0365 toll free
Fax +848 3920 0942 toll free
General e-mail: [email protected]
It is recommended to have vaccinations against tetanus, polio, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis A and B, depending on the areas to be visited.
More information about the necessary vaccinations and other health issues can be found HERE and HERE.
Practical advice
According to the local practice, foreign visitors must register with the police. For this reason, the passport can stay for some time with the hotel staff. Everyone has to make sure they get their passports back. It is advisable to make a photocopy of the passport page with personal data and leave the passport at a safe place.
Tourists are urged to take good care of their passports, since the issuance of a temporary passport results in extension of their intended stay and additional costs.
Good personal hygiene and diligent hand washing is an excellent protection against diseases.
It is advisable to avoid markets where poultry and livestock is sold.
Visitors shall avoid eating in restaurants located on small streets or on the road where the hygiene is low and can lead to unpleasant situations for the tourists.
To avoid risks due to lack of hygiene, tourists shall only eat unpeeled fruits and cooked vegetables, and avoid consumption of raw food, such as fresh vegetables and seafood.
Water from the water supply network, including big cities, may contain viruses, bacteria and parasites. Drink only bottled water!
Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV / AIDS and hepatitis B are common.
It is often raining in the country where the rain is accompanied by thunder and lightning. It is necessary to monitor weather conditions in the places visited and the current condition of the roads and railways.
Each year from June to October Central Vietnam, Mekong River Delta, and some areas in the northern Vietnam suffer from severe floods that are causing damages to people living in these areas and to the environment. Access to these areas may be cut. Typhoons occur in coastal areas, especially from June to December. They cause floods and landslides, which in turn impede the traffic and create health risks. In cases of emergency the airports are closed and buses and trains do not operate. The typhoon forecast can be monitored HERE. Visitors must avoid traveling in areas affected by the disasters.
Competitive service
Bulgarian ID documents
On 06/01/2012, a biometric station was installed at the Consular Office of the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi. Applications for issuance of passports, temporary passports, driving licenses and identity cards may be submitted.
Certification and Legalization
The Consulate certifies documents and other papers issued in Vietnam and other countries, provided that these documents are certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
Documents issued by Vietnamese authorities to Bulgarian citizens should be stamped by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which shall be certified by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Hanoy. Documents issued to Vietnamese nationals by Bulgarian competent authorities should be stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Bulgaria and certified by the Vietnamese Embassy in Sofia.