If you’re headed to Vietnam after Cambodia, you’ll need to arrange a visa in advance. The price of getting a Vietnam visa in Cambodia is far cheaper than in Western countries, so you can save a bundle by getting it here.
Heading to Vietnam and need a visa? Skip the embassy and head to a travel agent.
At the time of writing, the following countries are able to visit Vietnam without a visa:
- 15 days: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Japan, South Korea
- 21 days: Philippines
- 30 days: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia
If you aren’t from one of these countries, you will need to get a visa for Vietnam in advance. If you apply in your home country, it can cost two to three times the price as if you apply for a visa at the embassy in Phnom Penh or at the Sihanoukville or Battambang consulate. However, the fees at the embassy and consulates are about the same as what you’ll pay at any of the hundreds (thousands?) of travel agents in the country. Plus, the agents manage to get the visas processed in the same amount of time and with less hassle. The Vietnam embassy is an exercise in frustration and is best avoided.
If you choose to apply for a Vietnam visa at the embassy, you’ll need a visa application form (available at the embassy or you can fill it out in advance where to get passport photos in Phnom Penh)
At the Vietnam embassy or consulates, visas cost:
1-month single-entry visa: $40
1-month multiple-entry visa: $50
3-month single-entry visa: $60
3-month multiple-entry visa: $75
Processing time is one working day (although this can sometimes end up being two working days), and the three-month multiple-entry visa takes longer. They offer same-day or next-day processing for an additional $10. Be aware that the consulate is closed for all Cambodia and Vietnam holidays (and there are lots of them) so factor that into your visa planning.
If you apply through a travel agent, you do not need a visa application form or a photo. Prices fluctuate and seem slightly negotiable.
In Phnom Penh, Cina Travel near the riverside is a good choice for getting your visa to Vietnam. For $52, they can even get you a one-month single-entry visa in two hours, provided you bring your passport to them in the morning, and including a passport photo will make processing time faster. Cina Travel is able to get 3-month multiple-entry visas with no problem.
For 2-day processing, they quoted us:
1-month single entry visa: $42
1-month multiple entry visa: $53
3-month single entry visa: $56
3-month multiple entry visa: $80 (takes three days, Vietnam address is required; for an extendable 3-month visa a letter of invitation is required and the cost is an additional $5)
Another option is expat favorite for visa and license issues, Lucky! Lucky! Motorcycle Shop.
For 2-day processing, they quoted us:
1-month single-entry visa: $42
1-month multiple-entry visa: $55
3-month single entry visa: $58
3-month multiple entry visa: $85 (this will take 3 days rather than two and an address in Vietnam is required)
They can have your visa ready the same day for an additional $15.
In Siem Reap, Sopheak Na Travel is the most popular place in town for Vietnam visas. Visas take one day, but you can pay extra for same-day processing.
1-month single-entry visa: $40
1-month multiple-entry visa: $75
3-month single entry visa: $60
3-month multiple entry visa: $95 (2 day and an address in Vietnam is required)
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
436 Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh
T: 023 726 274
vietnamembassy-cambodia.org
Consulate General of Vietnam in Sihanoukville
310 Ekareach Blvd, Khan Mittapheap, Sihanoukville
T: 034 934 039
vietnamconsulate-shihanoukville.org
Consulate General of Vietnam in Battambang
Road No. 03, Battambang
T: 053 688 8867
vietnamconsulate-battambang.org
Lucky! Lucky! Motorcycle Shop
413Eo Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh
T: 099 808 788; 012 279 990
E: luckymotorcyclerental@yahoo.com
Cina Travel
129Eo Street 130, Psar Cha, Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
T: 023 998 775; 023 998 774
E: cinatravel@cinatravel.com.kh
Hi,
I plan to go to Vietnam overland from Cambodia at the end of the month. Is it really necessary to have a Vietnamese visa beforehand? Can’t we get it at the border? I won’t be staying in Phnom Penh more than 1 day, so this is tricky…
Thanks
It is really necessary to get a Vietnam visa in advance and you cannot get a visa at the border. Bus companies in Cambodia will not you board without a valid visa to Vietnam.
Will the visa I get through lucky lucky allow me to go to vietnam overland or only by air. Thanks so much Lina
You can use the visa for either overland or air travel.
Hi, I’m arriving in S/R on 13 of February 2015, travelling down to P/P on 22 February staying 3 days, I am hoping to then go to Vietnam( overland)but am worried that I won’t be able to get a visa in time as it’s Chinese New Year.? Will travel agents be open and be able to get one in a day?
You might call Lucky Lucky and make sure. The Vietnam Embassy will probably be closed for Tet, but I’m not sure for how long.
Hi there, my vietnamese visa expires on Feb. 28 (just after TET) and I’m thinking of doing a visa run to PP to get a new Vietnamese visa. I heard that there has been big changes regarding the cost of Viet visa. Does it only apply for visas being delivered in Vietnam or also for the ones delivered in Cambodia and abroad? If the price changed, how much is it now from the embassy or Lucky Lucky visa? I’m looking for either 3 months single or multiple entry.
Hey guys-
-just wondering, as some flights are cheaper from Saigon, whether or not it’s possible to get a transit visa for a day or two in order to fly out and back in again. Anyone have any experience with this?
My understanding is that you’ll have to get a full 30-day visa, but I’m not an expert.
Thanks for the advice! We have been pouring over info about getting our VN visa, but are now confident enough to leave it until we reach PP. Was hearing a lot of different, outdated info, but now this is one less thing we need to worry about. And it seems a lot cheaper than organizing it while we’re here in Australia :)
Hey Lina.
We are travelling in January from Cambodia to Vietnam overland. We are from Estonia and we have a huge question.. Do we need some kind of approval letter for applying Vietnam visa at Vietnam embassy in Cambodia or at this Lucky Lucky shop. I understand that we need this approval letter only when we travel Vietnam by plane.
This is very complicated issue because there are different kind of opinions in the Internet and we are a bit of hurry with that issue.
Also I wanted to know is this Lucky! Lucky! shop is reliable place to get our visas.
Lucky Lucky is reliable. I don’t know the rules for someone from Estonia, you should just give Lucky Lucky a call and they can tell you what’s required.
I’ll be traveling by land to Vietnam from Phnom Penh.
I’m currently in Singapore. How expensive will it be to get a visa beforehand here at their Vietnamese embassy and will it be expensive?
Is it cheaper to get a Visa on Arrival if I were to fly into Vietnam? What are the prices?
Thanks!!
I don’t know the prices for a Vietnam visa in Singapore. The prices in Cambodia are listed in the post.
Hi Lina
Can you tell me is it possible to organise a visa whilst in Siem Reap with a travel agent there as we will be in P Penn at the weekend…
Yes, but it takes them a few days longer because they send it to Phnom Penh. If you’re flying into Vietnam, you can get a visa in advance online.
Im indian passport holder can I apply thailand tourist visa in vietnam ?
I am planning to visit Cambodia in December need to know that we don’t have embassy of Vietnam and Laos in Pakistan.can I apply both countries visa in Cambodia.do you know any travel agency dealing with Pakistani passport.
Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the rules for citizens of Pakistan. You might check with the Pakistan embassy in Phnom Penh as they could probably give you better advice than me. http://www.mofa.gov.pk/cambodia/
Very well-written, informative article.
Do you have any info on the e-visa for Vietnam?
Thanks in advance,
Nev
I’ve used myvietnamvisa.com before, but since moving to Cambodia I get the visa at a travel agent here because it’s cheaper and more convenient (no waiting around once I arrive in Vietnam). Also, you need a visa in advance if you plan to travel to Vietnam overland.
Hi Lina,
Thanks for the info.
Just a quick question, does the visa differ if you are travelling into Vietnam from Cambodia by land?
Only difference is that if you travel by plane, you can get the visa-in-advance service that you pick up at the airport. You can’t do that if you are traveling overland, but everything else is the same.