Unlocking Vietnam: Visa Guide for African Travelers 2024

Vietnam is a fascinating destination that attracts many travelers from all over the world. However, before you pack your bags and book your flight, you need to know if you need a visa to enter Vietnam or not. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for visa exemption, e-visa, or visa on arrival. In this blog post, we will focus on the Vietnam visa policy for African countries in 2024, covering the following topics: Which African countries are exempt from Vietnam visa and for how long? Which African countries can apply for Vietnam e-visa and how to do it? Which African countries can get Vietnam visa on arrival and what are the requirements? How much does a Vietnam visa cost for African citizens? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each visa option?

By the end of this blog post, you will have a clear idea of how to get a Vietnam visa for your trip in 2024, according to your country of origin and your travel purpose. Let’s get started!

1. Do African citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes, citizens from all African countries require a visa to enter Vietnam, whether for tourism or business purposes, even for stays of less than 30 days.

However, it's important to note that, with the exception of passport holders from South Africa, passport holders from these African countries may encounter difficulties when applying for a Vietnam visa. These passport holders may face higher visa fees and have limited options for their Vietnam visa application.

The list of African countries for which citizens typically require a visa to enter Vietnam includes:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

>>> Note: Nationalities considered to have particular difficulties in obtaining a visa for Vietnam include Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Mozambique, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

2. How to obtain a visa for Vietnam as a citizen of an African country?

Citizens of nationalities considered 'easy,' such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, as well as African passport holders in general, often face difficulties in applying for a Vietnam visa at the embassy or obtaining an e-visa online. In such cases, it's imperative for these travelers to be sponsored by a registered travel agency in Vietnam to obtain their tourist visa, by obtaining an invitation letter.

To obtain this letter, you need to book your trip through a local travel agency (such as Vietnam Discovery, for example). If you book a trip with a travel agency in Vietnam, your advisor will take care of all the necessary procedures to obtain your Vietnam visa. You just need to send them the following documents:

• Your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Vietnam and have at least 2 blank pages.
• Your round-trip airline ticket.
• Your travel insurance.

Your advisor will also handle all the reservations (hotels, travel itinerary, airline tickets, and other services). Then, they will submit these reservations and related documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department to obtain the visa approval letter.

Once your application is accepted, the invitation letter will be sent to you by email before your departure, and you'll need to print it out. Upon arrival, you must present this document along with your passport and pay $25 to obtain the visa on arrival and enjoy your stay.

If you cannot find a travel agency or if you wish to organize your trip independently without using a local travel agency, you can opt for Vietnam's tourist visa package offered by visa agencies in Vietnam. However, we advise you to carefully check these services before using them to avoid any unexpected inconvenience during your dream trip to Vietnam.

3. The cost of a Vietnamese visa for passport holders from African countries

The cost of a visa approval letter for passport holders from countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and others not mentioned in the list of particularly difficult nationalities ranges from $70 to $120, depending on the nationality.

It's important to note that if you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you should prepare your documents in advance because the processing time for this letter is 7 to 10 business days.

For countries considered particularly difficult, the price to obtain a Vietnam visa may be higher, and in some cases, it may not be possible through local agencies in Vietnam.

>>> Note: Please be aware that these fees do not include the $25 cash payment required at the Vietnam airport to obtain the visa stamp."

4. Can passport holders from African countries visit Vietnam without a visa?

Yes, despite the difficulties in obtaining a visa for Vietnam, passport holders from countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and other African nations can visit Phu Quoc Island, the only destination in Vietnam where all nationalities are exempt from a visa for up to 30 days.

Located at the southernmost tip of the country in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is a paradise island known for its stunning beaches. It attracts sun-seekers from the region and Europe. The visa exemption for this island was implemented in 2020.

To visit Phu Quoc without a visa, you must meet the following conditions:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Phu Quoc.
• You must arrive in Phu Quoc from an international country through Phu Quoc International Airport. This applies to both direct flights and connecting flights with Phu Quoc as the final destination. If you have layovers at other international airports in Vietnam before arriving in Phu Quoc, you are still eligible for the visa exemption.
• Your stay on the island must be less than 30 days. You must provide proof (round-trip airfare, departure date on a cruise ship, etc.) that you will leave Phu Quoc for another country outside of Vietnam after 30 days.
• You must arrive in Phu Quoc by sea (boat or cruise) or by air (plane), and not by land.

If you plan to visit other destinations in Vietnam after Phu Quoc or intend to stay longer than 30 days, obtaining a visa for Vietnam is mandatory.

Final Thoughts

While obtaining a visa for Vietnam can be challenging for citizens of certain African countries, there are solutions you can consider. If you have questions regarding obtaining a Vietnamese visa based on your nationality, feel free to contact us or leave your questions in the comments.

Prepare for your trip with peace of mind and fully enjoy the wonders that Vietnam has to offer. Safe travels!