Vietnam
Last update 20 March 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 2: Increased cauion (Be informed on the current situation in the country beforehand)
2
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Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi
Address: No. 5, Lane 294 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam,
Hanoi 100 000
Tel.: +84 24 3845 2908
Fax: +84 24 3846 0856
Оut-of-hours hotline: +84 83 940 9129
Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 12:00 — every working day from Monday to Friday
E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/vietnam
Information on visa and consular matters: Telephone: +84 24 3845 2908 from 14:00 to 16:00
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Sofia
Address: 1113 Sofia, 1 Zhetvarka St.
Telephone: +3592 963 26 09
Fax: +3592 963 36 58
Е-mail: [email protected]
General information
Vietnam is a low-risk country for travel and offers a lot of opportunities for holidays, cultural, ecotourism and more. The information summarised below is intended to draw citizens' attention to potential risks and certain specificities in Vietnam to raise their awareness with a view to a full and hassle-free stay in the country.
Security level:
The overall security situation is good. Normal vigilance should be exercised with regard to personal safety and personal belongings. The instructions of the local authorities regarding order and security should be respected. Caution should be exercised when participating in street and road traffic and the weather forecast and changes should be monitored.
Healthcare:
Full insurance is required for Vietnam. Before departure, you should check whether the insurance also covers medical emergencies. It is important to read and check all the details of the health and travel insurance. Repatriation procedures for the sick and for deaths are expensive and difficult for organising, if the insurance policy does not cover all damages.
There are sporadic cases of infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. More information on necessary vaccinations and other health issues can be found on the World Health Organization's website at: https://www.who.int/ and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/home.
Mandatory vaccinations are required for citizens arriving from Africa, Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, considered by Vietnam as risk regions. Bulgarian citizens travelling to the Southeast Asia region are advised to inform themselves through the regional health inspectorates in the country about mandatory and/or recommended vaccinations at least one month before planned travel.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
In the central highlands and southern parts of Vietnam (especially in the Mekong Delta), with the exception of the major cities, and the coast, malaria occurs. In big cities like Hanoi, there is a danger of dengue fever. For diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes, no vaccine can be applied. The best way to prevent from these diseases is wearing light-colored clothes with long sleeves.
There are sporadic cases of cholera (Hanoi and neighbouring provinces), avian influenza, rabies and Japanese encephalitis. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are common. Vaccines against tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis A and B are recommended, depending on the areas to be visited.
Individuals should wash their hands frequently, be careful when consuming raw foods and drink only bottled water. It is advisable to avoid markets where poultry and live animals are sold.
Tap water, including in large cities, can contain viruses, bacteria and parasites. Only bottled water should be drunk.
Specifics of the local legislation:
The authorities classify drugs as a "social evil". Their use, possession, distribution and sale, even in small quantities, carries extremely heavy sentences under the country's penal code, including the death penalty. Crimes of a sexual nature can also lead to heavy sentences. It is strongly advised not to accept packages or other goods from unknown persons. Luggage should be packed personally and not left unattended. Foreign nationals may be detained for long periods of time before being charged. Conditions in detention facilities and prisons are harsh.
Customs requirements:
As of 1 January 2025, the import and use of electronic cigarettes or vape devices in Vietnam is prohibited by law. It is illegal to carry, sell, use or distribute:
- electronic cigarettes
- vape devices
- vaporising liquids
Violators are subject to heavy fines or imprisonment. Administrative fines:
- E-cigarette users can receive a warning or a fine of VND1,000,000 to VND2,000,000.
- For trading, transferring, storing and delivering e-cigarettes, administrative fines are from VND1,000,000 to VND100,000,000 for individuals. For legal entities that violate the Law, fines range from VND 2,000,000 to VND 200,000,000.
- For e-cigarette production, the fine will be from VND 2,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 for individuals who violate, and for legal entities, the fine will be from VND 4,000,000 to VND 400,000,000.
Customs requirements for the country can be found on the following website: https://tongcuc.customs.gov.vn/index.jsp?ngon_ngu=en.
Road traffic:
Road accidents are more frequent compared to Bulgaria. Driving at night can be particularly dangerous. Increased risk exists for motorcycle riders and passengers. For motorcyclists, helmets are mandatory nationwide. Drivers are subject to a zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol.
It is advisable to use taxis or rental cars with a driver instead of driving in person.
Practical advice:
Bulgarian citizens should protect their identity documents with extreme caution. It is recommended that citizens always carry a photocopy of the passport page with their personal details and the visa for the country. In case of a lost/stolen passport, they should immediately contact the nearest police station as well as to inform the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi. Obtaining an Emergency Travel Document will extend your planned stay and incur additional costs.
Citizens should pay attention when choosing a tour operator and to safety conditions when choosing cruises, excursions and similar trips. Only the most reliable tour operators should be selected and information on security measures obtained in advance. All requirements of the Vietnamese authorities should be strictly adhered to. Caution is advised for unorganized travel in remote areas.
Local currency:
The official currency in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the dong. Payments are made in the local currency. Credit and debit cards are the standard means of payment in cities. ATMs are widely available, except in the smallest and high mountain locations.
Climatic characteristics:
Travellers are advised to check the current weather forecast. It is necessary to monitor weather conditions at the places visited and the current state of roads and rail transport. Typhoons and tropical storms occur in coastal areas between June and December, and heavy rainfall occurs almost nationwide, which can cause flooding and landslides and pose health risks. The forecast for typhoons and severe tropical storms can be tracked on the website: www.tropicalstormrisk.com.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens holding regular passports and travelling to Vietnam can obtain visas in three ways:
1. Through the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Sofia.
2. Visa on arrival:
A visa on arrival can only be issued at the following international airports: Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh. The procedure requires the applicant to obtain before travelling the so-called ‘visa approval letter’. The latter is possible through organisations/travel agencies in Vietnam that guarantee the foreign national and apply to the Vietnamese authorities for a Vietnamese visa on arrival.
The Bulgarian citizen should fill in an online form available on the websites of Vietnamese organizations/travel agencies offering such service, pay a fee for the service, and then receive a visa authorization letter. Fees range from USD 25 to USD 250 depending on how urgent the service is. It is possible to issue a travel authorization letter within 2 to 4 hours (in standard working hours for Vietnam).
The letter is presented to the airlines before departure from Bulgaria as a reason for travel. Upon arrival at the international airport in Vietnam, the letter is presented together with the passport and a passport-size photo, the visa fee is paid on the spot; the visa is placed in the passport.
3. Electronic visa (e-visa):
Bulgarian citizens can apply for e-visas for tourism travel for a maximum stay in Vietnam of up to 30 days. The procedures provide for: online pre-registration via http://immigration.gov.vn or http://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn; provision of personal data and information on a form; receipt by the applicant of an electronic code; payment of a fee (Visa Card or Master Card). A decision on the visa application should be received within 3 days to the e-mail of the applicant. In case of a positive decision, the applicant prints out his/her e-visa using the code received at registration. The document (e-visa) and passport are presented at the checkpoint when the foreign national enters Vietnam. A list of BCPs through which you can enter and leave Vietnam with an e-visa can be downloaded from HERE.
More and up-to-date information on the visa regime with Vietnam for Bulgarian citizens holding regular passports can be obtained from the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia.
- Useful information
Visa fees are based on the purpose of travel, the planned stay and whether the visa is for single or multiple entry. In view of the changes in the amount of fees, we advise Bulgarian citizens to inform themselves about the cost of the visa they need before their planned trip through the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia.
It is necessary for Bulgarian citizens to have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity before the planned date of departure from Vietnam. There is no limit to the number of blank pages in the passport, but the document should be clean, no torn pages, the personalised page should be kept legible.
Your passport must have at least one blank page so that the entry visa can be affixed to it. There should be no other visa stamps on the back of this page other than the border control stamps.
Those travelling in their own vehicles must have a temporary import permit from the Customs General Directorate.
Vignettes and tolls are paid in cash at designated toll crossing points.
In case of need for visa extension, Bulgarian citizens residing in Vietnam can contact the visa offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in Hanoi and in the city of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), as follows:
Immigration Department in Hanoi
Address: 44-46 đường Trần Phú, quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Telephone: +84 438 257 941
Fax: + 84 438 243 287, + 84 438 243 288
Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: 333-335-337 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Q.1, TP.HCM
Telephone: + 84 8 3920 1701; + 84 8 3920 2300
General Immigration Services website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
General e-mail: [email protected]
List of immigration departments in 63 provinces and cities of Vietnam: https://bankervn.com/danh-sach-phong-xuat-nhap-canh/
Consular service
Bulgarian identity documents:
A biometric station has been installed in the consular office of the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi. Applications for passports, temporary passports, SMPS and ID cards can be made in person by interested citizens. According to Bulgarian legislation, no exceptions are allowed for personal appearance at the Embassy. Citizens should consult the Automated Information System for Electronic Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here: https://e-usluga_bds.mfa.bg/. Please note that a personal appearance at the Bulgarian Embassy you have indicated is required to obtain the finished documents requested through the AISEU.
Certifications and legalizations:
Documents issued by Bulgarian and Vietnamese institutions are certified at the consular office. Documents issued by the Vietnamese authorities to Bulgarian citizens shall bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, which shall be authenticated at the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi. Documents issued to Vietnamese citizens by the Bulgarian authorities shall bear the apostille of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and be authenticated at the Vietnamese Embassy in Sofia.
So legalized documents Vietnamese institutions to serve in Bulgaria, should be translated into Bulgarian. There is a possibility of translation by the translators at the embassy, whose signature is certified by the consular official. List of Embassy translators: https://www.mfa.bg/embassies/vietnam/3247.
The consular office may certify the date, contents and signatures of private documents which are not subject to registration and are presented by Bulgarian or foreign citizens, if the document is drawn up in Bulgarian and is intended to produce its effect on the territory of Bulgaria. Persons whose signatures are to be authenticated must appear in person before the consular official.
All fees for consular services are payable in euros by bank transfer.