How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa as a British National (Overseas) (BNO) Citizen

1. Do BNO citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Yes—all BNO citizens are required to have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. The only exception is if you travel directly to Phu Quoc Island from abroad, stay there no longer than 30 days, and then leave Phu Quoc to a destination outside Vietnam—in that case, no visa is needed.

2. How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa 

You can apply online—either directly via the official Vietnam Immigration Department’s e-Visa portal or with assistance from an agency like this website.

Documents & Requirements:

A clear JPG scan/photo of your passport bio page (passport valid for at least 6 months and minimum 2 blank pages)

Portrait photo that meets Vietnam visa standards

Credit/debit card to pay the e-Visa fee online

Valid email address for communication

3. Processing Time 

Processing can take 1-4 working days  depending on urgency.

Fees include two parts:

Approval letter fee (paid online when applying)

Stamping fee at the airport: USD 25 for single-entry or USD 50 for multiple-entry visas

4. Urgent or Emergency Visa Options

If you need a visa at the last minute, contacting an agency is your best bet—they may help you secure a VOA on the same day, within 4 hours, or even 2 hours in certain cases.

5. Final Takeaway

BNO citizens obtain  Visa on Arrival—Neither option applies to Phu Quoc visitors under 30 days with onward departure. For immediate or urgent needs, agencies can streamline the process considerably.

Need an emergency evisa to Vietnam?

Contact us immediately via WhatsApp at +84.903.320.112—we can assist you in obtaining a visa within just a few working hours. Alternatively, you can fill out the online form; once processed, a consultant will reach out. Ensure you have digital copies of your passport, portrait photo, and flight ticket ready on your device.

Perfect for travellers who:

Realize they need a visa just hours before their flight, or

Haven’t received visa approval in time and prefer not to reschedule their trip.

Worldwide Eligibility

All nationalities and territories are eligible for this emergency visa service.

Processing Speed

Processing time varies based on your request—it could be as fast as a few working hours or take up to 1–2 working days.

Important information:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date.

If you have already applied via the official e-visa portal but haven’t received results, provide your application code, birth date, and registered email address when contacting them.

Foreign Experts and Businesses Pin Hopes on Vietnam’s New Visa Reforms

As Vietnam accelerates its digital transformation and innovation efforts, the demand for high-caliber human resources has never been more pressing. However, development in the domestic workforce hasn’t kept pace—this is evident in the FDI sector, where the percentage of workers holding degrees or certificates fell from 25.5% in 2021 to 21.7% in 2024 

New Visa Policies to Enhance Foreign Investment

To address this talent gap, the Vietnamese government has introduced strategic reforms:

Decree 219 simplifies regulations on foreign labor in Vietnam.

Decree 221 introduces limited-term visa exemptions for individuals deemed vital to socio-economic development 

These reforms are viewed as pivotal in attracting and retaining international talent, facilitating Vietnam's integration into the high-tech economy

Voices of Optimism from the International Community

Andrew Goledzinowski, former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam and strategic advisor, considers these visa changes "highly positive and welcome developments." He emphasized that while training domestic scientists, engineers, and scholars is important, "Vietnam is an open and transitioning economy, so there is an ongoing need for skilled foreign experts to support this process"

Balancing Progress with Remaining Challenges

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding these visa and labour reforms, experts stress that additional measures are vital. Long-term residence permits, clearer implementation guidelines, and transparent enforcement will be essential in building investor confidence and ensuring sustained momentum

VIETNAM AIRPORTS FAST TRACK SERVICE

1.Welcome service at airports in Vietnam:

This service is designed to help travellers with the check-in process, visa stamping, visa stickers, and luggage assistance upon arrival at Vietnam airports. It was created to support guests at the airport, ensuring a pleasant experience and saving them time after a long journey or for any other personal needs.

1.1 Two options for choosing:

A. Fast track:

Our staff will greet you at the aircraft gate with your name on the welcome board and assist you to check in, get visa stamp and visa and sticker without waiting in line like others. In just 15 minutes, you will be in the baggage area waiting for your things. 

B. VIP Fast track:

Our staff will meet you at the aircraft gate with your name on the welcome board and assist you to check in, get visa stamp and visa sticker without getting line waiting as others do. Afterward, our team will guide you to the luggage area to assist you in retrieving your bags.

1.2 Who is recommended to use this service:

•Businessmen

•Elderly and Infants

•Pregnant Women

•Transit but closing time too tight.

•In Group of travel.

•Others but not here, please contact

•Those with Tight Transit Times

•Group Travelers

•Others not listed here, please get in touch.

1.3 Benefits of Using Fast Track Service (Your Arrival Experience Covered):

• Services are provided promptly, so you won’t have to wait in line.

• Obtain your visa stamp at the landing visa counter without waiting in line.

• You will receive help and be guided through the “fast track” immigration process.

• Baggage porters are available if you request them.

• Remember, you can customize this service to fit your needs.

2. HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION?:

Step 1: Select the Fast Track Service while you apply for your Vietnam evisa or visa on arrival, or send your request through email, including the required details. If there are any changes, please let us know at least 48 hours before you leave your home country. We are available 24/7.

Step 2: Our team will be at the gate of the airplane to greet you holding a sign with your name. If you cannot find our team, please reach out for assistance.

Step 3: Provide our representative with the necessary documents, which include your e-visa or visa approval letter, entry and exit forms, passport, two photos, and the stamping fee in cash to help you complete the entry process.

Step 4: Our staff will help you get through the customs check smoothly.

Visa exemption to enter Vietnam for citizens of 12 countries

From  March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028, there are 12 passports including the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian Federation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Finland  will be exempted 45days visa when visit Vietnam for any case that basis of fully meeting the entry conditions as prescribed by Vietnamese law.

However, BNO- British Holders are not eligible for excluding free visas by 15 days. So the BNO Passport holders are required to receive a valid visa to visit Vietnam.

In order visit Vietnam, you only need a valid passport for at least 6 months. You can check the full listing of visa-free countries below. If your country is not on the visa exemption list, must have a visa to enter Vietnam.

Besides, Foreign passports are exempt from Visa requirements in Phu Quoc's Island for 30 days. They pass through other international airports in Vietnam before reaching the Phu Quoc, they are still right to the exception.

Hội An Ancient Town

Updated Evisa Vietnam

From the end of 2024, the Vietnam Immigration Department requires those applying for a Vietnam visa to provide more information about their address in Vietnam, permanent residence address, current residential address, telephone number and emergency contact.

Also from this date, the Vietnam Immigration Department has launched a new website to facilitate the Evisa application. The 15-day visa exemption for British, Spanish, German, French and Italian passports has been extended until 2025. There is no longer a gap between 2 visa-free entries, citizens of visa-free countries can now return to Vietnam immediately after their exit. More countries will be added to the list of exceptions soon.

Exemption period is expected to be extended to 45 days instead of 15 days for some markets (European, Japan, South Korea).

Vietnam Emergency Visa

Nowadays, applying for a visa to Vietnam is no longer difficult because of modern technology. However, for some reason, you did not prepare your visa in advance. If you are in an emergency situation and need your Vietnam visa urgently or you need to enter Vietnam, you can take advantage of the expedited visa service to speed up your pending or new visa application.

Emergency visa on arrival for whom does not have time to apply for an e-Visa in advance, you can receive a visa approval letter on arrival. It takes about 4-8 business hours (Monday - Friday) to receive one. If you need urgent help, send us an email at

The standard processing time for a Vietnam eVisa is usually 4 working days. It is recommended that you submit your application at least 10 days before your planned departure date to allow enough time to obtain the visa before your flight. In an emergency, an eVisa can be processed in one working day or even 2- 4 working hours on weekdays if you have already code evisa.

Tips to get Evisa Vietnam on time

Since now you can apply evisa Vietnam online via website, therefore you will take much time if you don't do the right way.

In order to apply for evisa, please prepare your passport which is still valid more than 6 months with full fist page. It is really necessary to have the last two rows of this passport page when you take photo or scan. Your name is also based on this. And next is your photo ready. There are some things to note about your photos when making evisa as follows: 

-The photo size is 4 x 6 cm (standard size of Vietnamese photography) or 2 x 2 inches. 

-The photos must be  taken within the last 6 months.

- The photo must capture your entire face, viewed directly with a bright background. 

-Do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so (this is one of the most common Vietnam evisa mistakes). 

-Your eyes open and visible, no hat, no hair in front of your eyes.

Now you can fill your information as request as your passport. Please sure the day you are going to arrive Vietnam  when you fill your entry date, since you cannot enter Vietnam sooner the day in your evisa. 

If you enter the country by land or river, it needs accurate arrival and departure port information.

When you receive your evisa, please check it carefully to ensure all information is correct, With just one wrong information, you will not be allowed to enter the country.

South Korean newspaper introduces 4 pho restaurants in Hanoi

Writer Park Jeong Bae of Chosun daily newspaper introduces 4 restaurants after a food tour to the "city of pho" Hanoi.

After researching, Park Jeong Bae concluded that "Hanoi is the city of pho", and Hoan Kiem district is the "mecca" of pho. 

The first restaurant he visited in this area was Cu Chieu beef pho in Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, which is 100 years old and has gone through 4 generations. The restaurant is named after Mr. Co Chieu, son of a man named Co in Van Cu village - a pho making village in Nam Dinh. Mr. Chieu brought his family's pho pho to Hanoi in the 1930s and passed the craft on to his descendants to this day.

According to a Korean writer, the restaurant space stands out with a fresh beef counter located right at the entrance. The restaurant uses hot beef, which customers can slice wherever they eat. The restaurant's broth does not use spices such as anise, cinnamon, or cardamom, but only uses broth cooked from beef bones and beef. The accompanying condiments do not have fresh lemon like many other pho restaurants.

The second pho restaurant in the Hoan Kiem area that Park Jeong Bae introduced is Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hang Trong Ward, open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m.

"Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su is a famous name in Hanoi," Park said. The restaurant has grown from a small pho establishment into a chain of stores present on many streets throughout the capital and provinces throughout the country. He commented that this pho restaurant's broth is sweet and the space is spacious.

Pho Thin, Lo Duc is the next place Park Jeong Bae mentioned. He shared that this pho brand is popular with many Korean customers. Kimchi tourists love the restaurant because of its rich, fatty flavor. A bowl of pho here costs around 70,000 VND, "more expensive than the average pho restaurants in central Hanoi". The bowl of pho at this restaurant has an easily recognizable feature: lots of green onions.

Pho Bat Dan also appeared on the food tour of a Korean male tourist. The first time Park Jeong Bae came to the restaurant, he saw customers lining up waiting to eat pho early in the morning. To him, the Bat Dan pho noodles are thin, the beef is tender, and the spices served without lemon are "like Cu Chieu's restaurant". The writer suggests that diners should try undercooked pho and order more fried rice to enjoy the rich flavor of the dish.

The Korean writer also pointed out the difference between Northern and Southern style pho. The most obvious difference is the accompanying spices, Southern pho often comes with a variety of herbs, bean sprouts, chili sauce, and hoisin sauce. Northern Pho often uses green onions as the main spice, accompanied by vinegar, garlic, chili, and some places add fresh lemon.

How to obtain a Vietnam e-visa for Canadian citizens in 2024, including validity, requirements and procedures

From August 2023, the National Assembly has approved extending the electronic visa period to 90 days for those whom want to visit Vietnam for more than 1 month. And Canadian passport holders will be able to apply online and obtain an e-visa before traveling. This article contains the latest information on Vietnam e-visa for Canadian citizens, including types of Vietnam e-visa for Canadian citizens and documents required to apply for Vietnam e-visa for Canadian citizenship. Canadian citizens holding an e-visa are required to enter Vietnam and ports of entry accept Canadian e-visas.

1/ Short introduction to Vietnam e-visa for Canadian citizens

The Vietnam E-visa is an electronic visa launched in February 2017 for foreigners who wish to enter Vietnam for tourism, business or transit purposes from 30 days to 90 days. Visitors from Canada with a valid passport can apply for a visa online and spend a lot of time and money doing so.

The Vietnam E-visa is a single entry or multiple entries visa that allows Canadian citizenship to enter Vietnam for up to 90 days. Travelers who are eligible to apply for a Vietnam visa online can do so by phone or via any device that uses the internet. A valid e-visa document will be sent to the applicant via email.

Thanks to Vietnam's electronic visa system, Canadian passport holders do not have to pay stamp fees or wait in long queues at the entrance. Moreover, Canadian citizens do not need to travel long distances or prepare many complex documents to obtain a visa.

2/ Vietnam E-visa kinds for Canadians 2024

The types of Vietnam e-visa available to Canadian citizens are 30 days single-entry, 30 days multiple entries, 90 days single entry and 90 days multiple entries visa those are processed within three working days.

Any Canadian citizen with a valid E-visa for Vietnam can use the entry permit for the following activities: The Vietnam E-Tourist Visa allows you to participate in all leisure activities. It's also possible to be considered a tourist when you're on holiday, visiting friends and family, or traveling around the country.

for all business trips in Vietnam. Whether you need to discuss future partnerships, look for new business opportunities or sign contracts, the Vietnam Business E-visa will help you get it all done!

For transit purposes: Anyone traveling through Vietnam to reach their final destination can use the Vietnam E-visa to enter the country.

3/ Files required to apply for an e-visa to Vietnam as a Canadian citizen in 2024

Vietnam e-visa requirements for Canadian citizens are simple and easy. Canadian citizens need only two documents to apply for a Vietnam e-visa online:

Photographic passport photo.

Photo of applicants (not cut from passport photo)

Candidates from Canada will be able to take passport photos along with their photos using their phones. All information in the passport photo must be valid.

4 / How to apply for Vietnam e-Visa online if you are a Canadian citizen in 2024?

To come Vietnam, Canadian citizens need to apply for a visa online from anywhere have internet access. It only takes a few minutes for Canadian passport holders to apply for an e-visa for Vietnam by follow the simple steps below:

First, submit the Vietnam e-visa application form at https://www.evisavietnam.org/evisa-form        

You must select the purpose of the visit (business or tourist) and start filling in the relevant information in the application form. Then attach the applicant's photo and the personal information page from their passport. Now you need to pay for the e-visa using the best online payment method. Finally, check your email address and verification code. The Vietnam e-visa will be delivered as a PDF document to the applicant's email address. Be sure to print out the attached file and take it with you to your destination. E-visa processing time for Vietnamese Canadian citizens take up to 3 business days; However, it is recommended that you apply at least 7 days before your Vietnam trip.

5/ Requirements for Canadians entering Vietnam with an E-Visa in 2024

Passengers entering Vietnam from Canada with an E-visa must have two documents:

Canadian passport, valid for more than 6 months

a printed Vietnam E-visa copy

Canadian passport holders with a Vietnam e-visa do not need to pay any additional fees upon arrival and can skip the long visa queue at the counter upon arrival.