Vietnam, with its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and unique cuisine, has become a popular travel destination for Taiwanese citizens. However, unlike the visa-free treatment Taiwanese passport holders enjoy in many countries, Vietnam’s visa policies have undergone recent changes, particularly for Taiwanese passport holders. This makes it crucial to obtain the latest and most accurate visa information before planning a trip.

This guide aims to provide Taiwanese travelers with comprehensive, easy-to-understand, and practical information about Vietnam visas. It details visa-free conditions, application processes for various visa types, required documents, and common questions to help travelers smoothly obtain their visas, ensuring a hassle-free journey and avoiding any visa-related issues.

1. Overview of Visa Requirements for Taiwanese Passport Holders Traveling to Vietnam

Taiwanese passport holders generally require a visa to enter Vietnam. This contrasts with the widespread visa-free or visa-on-arrival privileges Taiwanese passports enjoy in many other countries. Therefore, travelers must plan and arrange their visas in advance and avoid the misconception that Vietnam should also offer visa-free entry, as this could disrupt their travel plans.

Regardless of the visa application method, all Taiwanese passport holders must meet two basic passport requirements when entering Vietnam:

  • The passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of entry into Vietnam.
  • The passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker and entry stamp.

These are the basic entry requirements for Vietnam. Even if visa-free conditions apply, travelers must ensure their passports meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in denied boarding or entry.

2. Vietnam’s Visa-Free Policy: Special Cases Explained

Although Taiwanese passport holders typically require a visa to enter Vietnam, there are two special cases where visa-free entry is permitted.

A. Visa-Free Policy for Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc Island, a popular resort island in southern Vietnam, offers a special 30-day visa-free policy for Taiwanese citizens. However, this policy has strict conditions, and travelers must fully comply with all the following requirements:

  • Direct international flight to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC): Travelers must fly directly to Phu Quoc International Airport from an international location. Notably, while the policy requires “direct arrival in Phu Quoc,” travelers departing from an international location and transiting through other international airports in Vietnam (e.g., Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport or Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport) are still eligible for the visa exemption, provided they do not leave the transit area (i.e., do not enter mainland Vietnam) and proceed directly to Phu Quoc, with Phu Quoc being their only destination in Vietnam. (It is advisable to confirm with the airline whether a visa is required, as currently, only Vietnam Airlines guarantees that passengers can transit without a visa.) This regulation reflects the Vietnamese government’s efforts to promote tourism to Phu Quoc while maintaining precise border control.
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months: The Taiwanese passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of arrival in Phu Quoc.
  • Confirmed return ticket or onward ticket to a third country: Travelers must provide proof that they will leave Phu Quoc for another country within 30 days.
  • Stay limited to Phu Quoc Island: Travelers’ itineraries must be restricted to Phu Quoc Island and must not include mainland Vietnam or other cities. If the trip includes other parts of Vietnam (e.g., flying to Ho Chi Minh City first, entering Vietnam, and then taking a domestic flight to Phu Quoc), a full Vietnamese visa must be obtained, and the Phu Quoc visa exemption will not apply.

Important Notes and Common Misconceptions:

The visa-free policy for Phu Quoc may seem lenient, but its requirement of “not leaving the transit area” is highly precise and strict. Many travelers may interpret “no transit through mainland Vietnam” as “must fly directly to Phu Quoc without transiting through any other Vietnamese airport.” However, the actual policy allows for “non-entry” transit through other international airports in Vietnam. Such subtle differences can lead to travelers planning their trips incorrectly—for example, opting for expensive direct flights due to concerns about transit issues or unknowingly entering mainland Vietnam during transit, thereby violating the visa-free policy. Therefore, it is essential to understand the precise details of this policy to avoid misunderstandings and potential violations.

If any of the above conditions are not met, travelers may be denied boarding or entry and may incur additional emergency visa fees.

B. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders

Taiwanese passport holders with an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) are eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam.

  • Visa-free duration and conditions: ABTC holders can typically enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 60 days, primarily for business purposes. The ABTC is designed to facilitate business travel among APEC member economies.
  • Additional benefits of the ABTC: Beyond visa exemption, the ABTC also provides access to designated fast-track lanes at airports and ports in participating APEC economies. For frequent business travelers to Vietnam and the APEC region, this privilege offers far greater value than mere visa fee exemptions, significantly reducing clearance times and improving travel efficiency. This demonstrates that the ABTC is not just a visa exemption tool but also a highly efficient business travel accelerator, reflecting policy support for high-frequency business mobility.
Vietnam Visa Guide for Taiwanese Travelers Visa-Free Conditions, Application Process, and Practical Tips

3. Detailed Explanation of Vietnam Visa Application Methods

For Taiwanese passport holders who do not qualify for visa-free entry, there are three primary visa application methods: e-visa, visa on arrival, and embassy visa.

A. Vietnam E-Visa (Recommended Option)

The Vietnam e-visa is currently the most popular and recommended visa application method due to its convenience.

  • Applicability and advantages: The e-visa is suitable for most Taiwanese passport holders traveling to Vietnam for tourism or business. Its greatest advantage is that the entire application can be completed online without visiting an embassy, and it is valid for entry through multiple international ports in Vietnam (including sea, land, and air).

  • Visa types and validity: The e-visa can be valid for up to 90 days, with options for single or multiple entries based on the traveler’s needs.

Application Process:

  1. Online application submission: Travelers must submit their applications online through the official Vietnam Immigration website or an authorized agency (select e-visa): https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/.
  2. Receive the e-visa via email: Once approved, the visa approval letter will be sent to the applicant via email.
  3. Print the e-visa and present it upon arrival: Travelers must print the e-visa and present it along with their valid passport to Vietnamese immigration officers upon arrival.

Required Documents and Format Specifications:

  • Passport scan: A clear scan of the passport’s biographical page, showing all information, including the passport number, name, date of birth, issue/expiry dates, and the ICAO machine-readable line at the bottom. The file format is typically JPG, with size restrictions (e.g., no larger than 2MB).

  • Passport-sized photo with white background: A digital photo meeting the specified requirements. The photo should be in color with a white background, typically 4×6 cm (or 2×2 inches), in JPG format, with size restrictions (e.g., no larger than 1MB). The photo must be a front-facing shot taken within the last 6 months, without hats or glasses (unless for religious or medical reasons, provided the eyes are not obscured), with a natural expression and no shadows or filters.

  • Temporary address in Vietnam and entry/exit port information: Applicants must provide their first accommodation address in Vietnam (e.g., hotel name, relative/friend’s address) and the intended entry and exit ports.

B. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – Only for Air Travel

Vietnam’s visa on arrival (VOA) is primarily for travelers entering by air, especially those with urgent travel plans or special circumstances preventing them from obtaining an e-visa in advance.

  • Applicability and advantages: The main advantage of the VOA is the quick processing time for the approval letter and the lack of a need to submit the passport to an embassy in advance.

Two-Stage Process:

  1. Obtain a visa approval letter in advance: Before departure, travelers must apply online through a local Vietnamese travel agency or visa service provider to obtain a visa approval letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. Without this letter, boarding will be denied. Apply here: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/.
  2. Collect the visa upon arrival in Vietnam: With the approval letter, valid passport, photos, and cash for the stamping fee, travelers can collect their official visa at the “Visa on Arrival” counter at Vietnamese international airports.

Important Notes:

The term “visa on arrival” is highly misleading. Unlike in some countries where visas can be obtained directly upon arrival, travelers must obtain an approval letter in advance. This naming discrepancy can lead to false expectations, and travelers without the approval letter may face denied boarding. This underscores the importance of precise understanding of visa terminology.

Required Documents:

  • Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages).
  • Visa approval letter (printed copy).
  • 2 passport-sized photos (4×6 cm, white background).
  • Stamping fee (USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entries, payable in cash).
  • Completed entry/exit form (usually provided at the airport or sent with the approval letter).

Fees and Processing Time:

  • Approval letter processing time: Standard processing takes about 2–4 business days, while expedited services can shorten this to 1–8 hours, including weekends.
  • Airport waiting time: Collecting the visa upon arrival may take 15–30 minutes, or 1–2 hours during peak periods.

C. Embassy Visa (Traditional Method)

The embassy visa is the traditional visa application method, suitable for travelers who prefer to apply in person, have special visa needs (e.g., long-term visas or non-tourism/business purposes), or cannot use the e-visa or visa on arrival.

  • Applicability and advantages: The main advantage is that the visa is affixed directly to the passport, which may provide a greater sense of security for some travelers.
  • Application location: Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.

    • Address: 3F, No. 65, Songjiang Road, Taipei.

    • Phone: (02) 2516-6626.

Office Hours:

Monday to Friday, typically 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (consular service hours may differ; confirm in advance). Notably, the official website of the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei is currently inaccessible, and its formal designation as an “embassy/consulate” is ambiguous. This information confusion and the unavailability of the official website increase the difficulty for Taiwanese travelers to obtain official information and may raise doubts about its efficiency and reliability, prompting more travelers to turn to agencies or e-visas.

Application Process:

  • Submit the application in person at the office or through a travel agency.
  • Complete the visa application form.
  • Submit required documents and pay the fee.
  • Wait for processing and collect the visa.

Required Documents:

  • Original passport and copy (valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages).
  • Completed visa application form.
  • 2 passport-sized photos (white background, taken within the last 6 months).
  • Proof of travel (e.g., flight itinerary, hotel reservation).
  • Additional documents may be required depending on the visa type (e.g., business visa requires an invitation letter from a Vietnamese company).

Fees and Processing Time:

  • Fees: Vary based on visa type, duration, and number of entries. Fees are typically non-refundable.
  • Processing time: Standard processing takes about 5–7 business days.

4. Emergency Visa Services

For travelers with urgent needs, agencies offer emergency visa services to address unexpected situations.

Applicable Scenarios:

  • Last-minute travel plans with limited time for visa applications.
  • Errors or delays in previous visa applications requiring urgent resolution.
  • Realizing the need for a visa just hours before departure.

Expedited Service Options and Fees:

Agencies offer various expedited services with processing times ranging from 1–24 hours, including weekends and holidays.

Fees are significantly higher than standard applications, typically requiring an additional USD 45–210, depending on the urgency and visa type. The existence of emergency visa services reflects the high sensitivity of the travel market to “time” and the “remedial” needs of travelers in cases of planning errors or emergencies. While these services are expensive, their very existence serves as a form of “travel insurance,” ensuring entry to Vietnam even under the most unfavorable circumstances.

How to Contact Agencies for Emergency Assistance:

Before traveling to Vietnam, a thorough understanding and proper preparation of visa requirements are the cornerstones of a smooth journey. Although Taiwanese passport holders do not enjoy universal visa-free access, the convenience of e-visas, the special visa-free policy for Phu Quoc Island, or the use of visa-on-arrival services in emergencies can all help travelers plan their trips effectively.

Always remember to check passport validity, carefully verify all application information, and allow sufficient processing time. By following the recommendations in this guide, Taiwanese citizens can easily obtain their Vietnam visas and enjoy a worry-free and delightful trip to Vietnam.