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
lucky lucky mporcycle is a pure face looking rip off, typically practice in cambodia. similar as those tuk tuks. went there today for a single 30 days visa for vn, and they quoted $48.
me: no way, vn visa is $25 now and everybody says you only cost $42.
the boss lady: $42 was last year, now is
$48.
me: the visa price went down at the end of november, you raise the price in 1 month?
the bosd lady: sir, i can give you $47.
me: forget it (took my passport and walked out)
the boss lady chased out: sir, $46, $46 okay?
me: walked away.
then i walked for another 1 km something, toward the other shop that reviewed above for also charging $42 for the same visa. i wont say the name, you have to read the article.
me: Hi, i need a 30 days single entry to vn, how much?
the receptionist took out the price chart, and show me it is $42: sir, $42.
me: ok, here is my passport.
not to mentioned, the second place has professional looking staff, and a.well established office.
i still havent got my visa yet, will pick up at 5pm in tomorrow. will update any results then.
The last time I called to check the price at Lucky Lucky was Dec 30th, so maybe they raised their prices the next day (doubtful). It always depends on who you talk to there, and the prices change all the time. Where did you get $25 from? Even at the embassy it’s $40.
i’m a vn origin but have been living in usa for a long long time now. about the procedures to enter vn, here are a few things:
1. Letter of approval ($8-$17), Some travel agency in vn could get that for $8 at cost if the owner is your friend or take a liking in you. If not, the normal rate is $12 and they make $4 in profits. outside the country the cost is $12, and visa agency charge you $17, they make $5 in profits. whether ou do a single entry visa or 3 months multiple entry, the approval letter cost is the same.
2. visa stamp ($25)
so basically, a visa to vn take between $33-$42 for a 30 days single entry visa. for approval letter, you cant do it by yourself but has to be through either an agency or an embassy.
also, when you get your visa at the embassy, they charge you $40 but they pocket the $7 for themselve (the embassy staff has to pay people in ha noi $8 instead of $12). when you use an agency, the fees are splitted as follow:
$8 for hanoi.
$4 for embassy.
$5 for agency.
thats why i believe a place that jacked up the price to $48 (which is $23 over the $25 visa stamp fee instead of a regular $17), then bargain down a dollar or two as you walk away, is by all mean, ripping people off. they remind me of tuk tuk drivers.
why do i know these? i know people who work for the govt in vn. why didnt i ask them for help? because i dont want to owe them a favor for just a few bucks.
vdude83, I had no idea it worked like that. So even at the embassy they are procuring fake letters of invitation of everyone? What purpose do the letters serve if they are all manufactured by travel companies, etc?
actually the letter of invitation and approval letter are the same thing and are required by ha noi. people at the embassy has no say on this. only that when you apply straight from them, they get a bigger share (no agency share), and get a $2 discount.
as for the approval letter or invitation letter? they are just excuse by those crooks in ha noi.
i have another trick if you have to pay like $80 or $90 for a 30 days visa as some people states below. it cost only $42 and you can apply at any vnese embassies around the world. i’ll make a separate post on this.
Hi,
My one year multi entry work visa expires 1 march 2016. I live in Vung Tau city VN currently. I was thinking about taking a bus to Cambodia and returning. Can you tell me if this is possible for visa renewal?
Hi everyone,
I’m going to HCMC in 2 weeks for a long weekend (Meak Bochea Day, 20-22. Feb.). Does anyone know how the Tet festival is going to affect procedures at the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh? Would it be better to wait until the holiday is over with my application?
Cheers,
Ben
The embassy will be closed for Tet. I would apply as soon as possible, there’s no reason not to.
Just dropped off my passport at the embassy. The queues were outrageous, I guess some people had to wait for up to 1 hour. Going early is key here.
But once it’s your turn, the process is straightforward: Submit your passport, the application and 1 photo + the visa fee (3 month single entry is 50$ as well, by the way). You get a receipt and they tell you when to come back.
The visa office was open for two days during Tet, however they asked for a 15$ holiday-surcharge.
Thanks for the report, Ben. I asked them a month ago and the price was $60 for a 3-month single-entry visa. I’m surprised it’s changed again! Officially, the office is closed during Tet. Oh, Cambodia.
Hi Lina, I need to apply at the Vietnam Embassy for TT type visa which I will need before applying for a Visa Exemption Certificate when I get back to Vietnam Can I get same day processing for a higher fee as with tourist visas?
You should call the embassy, I am not anything close to an expert on every Vietnam visa situation.
Hi!
I’m from the Philippines.
I’ll be visiting Siem Reap and will be moving to Phnom Pehn after. Do you have any idea on how to secure Vietnamese Visa from Phnom Pehn?
Thank You!
You’ll have to check with the embassy; I don’t know the rules for the Philippines. Sorry!
Help needed. Just a question. Can I get one urgent visa for vietnam on Saturday in any of the sites advertised here? I will arrive in Phom Penh Friday afternoon and would like to leave on Sunday. Also, is it possible to get a visa for Vietnam in Siem Reap?
It is possible. Ask around a few different travel agents.
Hey, thanks for the info! Would like to add however that not all travel agents are created equal. I was just quoted $150 to get a multiple entry 3 month visa. I went to another place where originally she said $85 and then increased the price another 2 times. Is it really that much more difficult to just do it yourself? I’m going to give it a try!
Good luck. Let us know how it goes!
As of January 7, 2016, the Vietnamese Legation in New York City is quoting a per-person charge of $80.00 US for a 1-month visa, plus $30.00 US if you want it the same day.
Yikes! That’s a massive difference. Thanks for the update.
The prices for your visas is wrong. They have been lowered as of November 23, 2015
Hi! Im from Sweden, meaning I dont need a visa to Vietnam if Im only staying less than 15 days. Im going to spend 10 days only in Vietnam and Im going to take the bus from Phnom Penh. According to Vietnamese rules I wont be needing a visa, but will it still by a problem at the border since Im travelling by bus and not plane?