Vietnam Visa For Cruise Ship Passengers

About 58,000 cruise passengers from America, Australia, Europe and Asia visited Vietnam in 2017. Cruise passengers visiting Vietnam are now granted a loose-leaf visa upon arriving at a Vietnam sea port. The application fee for this visa ranges from US $25 to US $80 depending on the cruise operators you are traveling with.

Special Notes:

  • Always keep the passport and visa with you when you travel on land.
  • If your cruise makes more than one stop in Vietnam, you will get the entry visa from the first port and complete the departure process at the last port. At other stops in between you just need to show the passport and visa for verification purpose only.
  • Your cruise may offer to arrange your entry visa and charge their own fee for this service.
Passengers arriving in Ho Chi Minh city port (vietnamtourism.gov.vn) 

How to apply

Loose-leaf visa on arrival

Cruise passengers can apply for a loose-leaf visa when arriving at a seaport in Vietnam (certain nationalities do not need a visa for Vietnam, check if you are eligible for a visa exemption here). Both the arrival and departure procedures are easy and straightforward:

  • Arrival procedure: The cruise or local tour operator will hand you the application form to fill out. Upon disembarking, you can submit this form, your passport and pay the applicable fee. The border services officer will issue a loose-leaf visa document.

  • Departure procedure: As you complete your excursion in Vietnam and return to your cruise, you must show both your passport and the visa to receive the confirmation of departure issued by the the border service officers. The visa shall be deemed invalid at this point.

E-visa

Another option is to apply for an e-visa on the official website (https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt) or apply directly on our website (https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/application.html).

Cruise ports in Vietnam that accept e-visa

  • Chan May Seaport (Hue)
  • Da Nang Seaport
  • Duong Dong Seaport (Phu Quoc)
  • Hon Gai Seaport (Halong bay)
  • Hai Phong Seaport
  • Nha Trang Seaport
  • Quy Nhon Seaport
  • Ho Chi Minh City Seaport
  • Vung Tau Seaport

Disclaimers: This guide is for informational purposes only. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information in the website is accurate, there are changes/errors that we are not aware of. We strongly advise that you contact the cruise operator or the embassy in your country for confirmation and procedures on how to apply for your visa to Vietnam for entering by cruise ship.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  • Q1: I am a US citizen. Will arrive by cruise ship in Vietnam 9/03/2019 till 15/3/2019. Am I able to apply for visa by post or do I have to travel to Washington DC which is 200 miles away. Thanks. (Margaret Asher, United States)
    A: If you are living far away from the embassy, you can apply for your visa to Vietnam by post. Kindly contact the embassy of Vietnam in Washington DC for the fees and application documents.
  • Q2: If I arrive Vietnam ports by cruise ship, will "visa on arrival" be workable? Or it is only good at airports? For Canadian passport holders OK ? For Hong Kong SAR passport holders OK? If I enter 2 Vietnam ports in 2 separate days all within 3 days, do I need a single or multiple entry visa? (C. Ng, from Hong Kong)
    A: You can ask the cruise operator to arrange the visa for you or you can obtain a loose-leaf visa upon landing at Vietnam seaport because visa on arrival is not available for arriving by cruise ships. For your cruise itineraries, you need a single entry visa only for cruising between different ports in Vietnam.
  • Q3: We will be travelling on a cruise ship in Dec 2019, stopping in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hanoi. We want to leave the ship at the port of Hue, and travel by land from Hue to Hanoi, then join the ship again in Hanoi. What visa requirements do we need? I am a citizen of the United Sates. My friend is a citizen of Costa Rica, who also has a visa for the U.S. We will only be in Vietnam for a few days. Do we need a visa? (Gary Rose, from United States)
    A: Visas are required for US and Costa Rican passports. As you exit the cruise ship for land travel to Hanoi from Hue, it is advised that you contact the embassy of Vietnam in the US to apply for a visa before you go.
  • Q4: I am planning to visit and enter Vietnam by cruise ship and travel along the coastline of Vietnam. Three stops at cruise ship ports are planned. Can I enter Vietnam with visa-on arrival that I would get at the port ? How often can I enter Vietnam while we stop along the coastline of Vietnam? (M. Horntrich, USA)
    A: Visa on arrival does not work for cruise entry,  you can apply for a loose-leaf visa at Vietnam port terminal when you arrive which will allow you to stop at as many ports as you want during your trip in Vietnam. However, it is advised that you contact your cruise operator for visa information because most cruises will offer visa arrangements for their passengers.
  • Q4: We’re going to Vietnam by Princess cruise and try to apply visa online but found that all ports of entry are airport, kindly advise what should we enter. The cruise is going to Halong Bay, Da Nang, NRA Trang and Phu My, pls advise if it is treated as a single entry or multiple entries.(Loretta Lo)
    A: As the itinerary you have mentioned, you need a single entry visa only. You can either apply for a loose-leaf visa at the first port of arrival or contact Princess cruise for visa arrangements.
  • Q5: We are Croatian citizens and are going to Vietnam in January 2019 by Celebrity Constellation (Singapore-Bangkok-Phu My-Chan My-Hongkong-Shanghai). Are we granted a loose-leaf visa upon arriving in the Vietnam port Phu My?.(Suncana Kukolja)
    A: Sure, you will be granted a loose-leaf visa upon arriving at Phu My Port. However, we always advise that you contact your cruise operator (Celebrity Constellation) for visa arrangement and instructions.
  • Q6: I will be on a cruise and stop at Phu My one day and Nha Trang the next day. Can I get a visa before I go? How much do you charge for this for 2 US adults. Can I get the visa at the port as soon as I get off the ship or do I have to have it before I disembark?(David, USA)
    A: If you are arriving on a cruise ship, you are able to obtain a loose-leaf visa upon disembarking. However, if you want to apply for a visa before you go, we advise that you contact the embassy of Vietnam in the US for procedures.
  • Q7: We will be arriving on February 22, 2019 at Nha Trang by cruise ship for one day. The next day we will arrive at Ho Chi Minh City for one day, also by a cruise ship. Do we need a one month - single entry, or a one month - multiple entry visa?(Peter Ehrlich)
    A: You can get loose-leaf visa at your first arrival port in Nha Trang and you can also use it for next entry in Ho Chi Minh city. No multiple entry is required in this case.

Have a question? please ask us here!

Questions and Answers (22)

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Q
Linda Neill
Australia

We are Australians arriving by cruise ship Dec 2024 Ho Chi Minh City and continuing to Da Nang by ship where we depart. Do we apply for Single or Multiple entry evisa?

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A Answered by Lan

@Linda Neill, you will only need a single-entry visa in this case, as you are not entering and exiting multiple times during this visit.

4 people found this helpful
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Q
John A Cox
United States

We are arriving by cruise ship to Ho Chi Minh City for two days and then we will return to Hanoi via airplane for the start of a Mekong River Cruise. Can we use an E-Visa for both arrivals?

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A Answered by Lan

@John A. Cox, yes, it works. However, we advise that you apply for a multiple-entry E-visa instead of a single-entry one.

8 people found this helpful
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Q
Linda Olver
Australia

I am Australian citizen traveling to Vietnam on a cruise ship. The E-Visa application asks for my Temporary Address whilst in Vietnam. What address should I be supply? I will only be doing day trips on land and returning to the ship between ports.

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A Answered by Lan

@Linda Olver, You can list the port and city of your arrival as your address in Vietnam on the form. For example:

  • Residential Address: Arriving by cruise at Ho Chi Minh City Seaport
  • City: Ho Chi Minh City
18 people found this helpful
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Q
Barbara Lamb
Australia

I am an Australian citizen, booked on a cruise with a day visit to DaNang. If my Visa has not been processed by the time I depart from Tokyo , can I remain onboard for the day, and miss the visit?

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A Answered by Lan

@Barbara Lamb, we’re afraid that you cannot enter Vietnam without a valid visa. However, if it doesn’t arrive in time, you can still remain onboard. We hope your visa will be processed before your arrival date.

Helpful
Q
Dinh M Nguyen
Australia

I have a multi-etry visa till May 2024, on my cruise trip, which have two drops in Vietnam, should I need a new visa for entry Vietnam?

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A Answered by Lan

Greetings and Happy New Year, if your visa is still valid until May, you can still use it for your travel in Vietnam for multiple entries/exits before the expiry date mentioned.

3 people found this helpful
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Q
Lionel Walvisch
Australia

What address should I use on visa application if I will be on a cruise ship?

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A Answered by Lan

You can fill in the online application form with your cruise port and its corresponding city. For example, Chan May port (Hue city).

7 people found this helpful
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Q
Liz
Australia

We are Australian and travelling on Celebrity solstice on a cruise leaving Singapore arriving at Phu My near Ho Chi Minh City. This port is not a listed port on the visa application support mentioned is Ho Chi Minh City seaport, can I just say that in the application as it's not technically correct. The reason we are getting our visa is because we are returning to Vietnam from Hong Kong after the cruise so it seemed the simplest way would forget a multiple entry fees are at the start. I'm so confused now because on this website you say that you can't use an evisa when entering via Seaport. Can you please advise if this is correct?

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A Answered by Lan

Perhaps you were reading information about visa on arrival, which is valid for air travel only. For an e-visa, you can enter/exit at the following ports, including Ho Chi Minh City seaport:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/List-of-evisa-port.pdf/c774e24b-1ab8-4fb6-9ac1-dcdfaccecf8e

2 people found this helpful
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Q
Roy Ray Del Val
Australia

I am Australian entering Viet Nam on a cruise. The cruise vessel enters Vietnam waters on 2 January. My e-visa entry date is 4 January because this is the port day. Is this ok?

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A Answered by Lan

@Roy Ray Del Val, It depends on the date that you enter Vietnam, through an Immigration checkpoint. If you go offshore on 04 Jan, then it is fine.

2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Jo Yilmaz
United Kingdom

My friends are Turkish. We are on a cruise ship from Singapore then Thailand to Ho Chi Minh(phu My), Nha Trang, Hue/danang(chan May), and leaving from Hanoi (Halong Bay) to go on to Hong Kong. Is a single entry e-visa sufficient for their travel plus what would be the entrance and exit ports?

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A Answered by Lan

@Jo Yilmaz, In this case, you only need a single entry, as you will not be visiting other countries during your cruise trip in Vietnam.

3 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Dagmar Murdockova
Slovakia

I am traveling on Slovakia passport we are on cruise Royal Caribbean Spectrum of th Seas and arrive in NHA TRANG our first port and next day arrive in HO CHI MINH. Can I get visa at port or do I have to apply for e-Visa. Thanks

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A Answered by Lan

@Dagmar Murdockova, It is advised that you apply for an e-visa beforehand, that will allow you to visit Vietnam on a cruise ship via Nha Trang & Ho Chi Minh city!

Helpful
Q
CPang
United States

We are in a similar situation as one of the cruisers asking a question re:travel on Celebrity cruise line. We are on a similar itinerary w/an overnight stop in Hanoi and then day stops for the rest of Vietnam. However, while overnighting in Hanoi, we are planning to a tour that includes an overnight at a hotel in Hanoi and then return to the ship for departure the next day. Is the "loose-leaf" visa sufficient to meet visa requirement when staying overnight and returning to the ship for its departure? Would the e-visa be sufficient-I believe all the ports the ship will be docking at are listed in the document but if not, should we contact the Vietnam embassy in the USA or our cruise line to confirm the loose-leaf visa?

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Q
Chris Drew
United States

I'm traveling on Celebrity Solstice Cruise, does one E-visa for Phu My/ Ho Chi Minh works for every port after that?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

The e-visa is applicable only at certain ports of entry, and you can view the latest list of these ports below:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/List-of-evisa-port.pdf/c774e24b-1ab8-4fb6-9ac1-dcdfaccecf8e

1 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Ler B
United States

My cruise is in November 2023, i'm applying for the evisa and two of the required fields are "Intended temporary residential address in Viet Nam" and "city/province". What information to I put for those fields as I'm not staying at any hotels? for the "city/province is it the first port which is hanoi/halong bay or the last port which is Ho Chi Minh/Phu My? Thank you!

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A Answered by Lan

@Ler B, If you are arriving on a cruise ship:

  • Intended Temporary Residential Address in Vietnam: Please fill in with the name of the ports of entry in Vietnam, for example, 'Cruise excursion to Halong Bay / Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
  • City/Province: Please fill in with the first entry ports (Halong Bay / Quang Ninh Province).
21 people found this helpful
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Q
Lana B
Australia

My cruise will arrive in Ho Chi Minh seaport then will travel to travel to nha trang then exit from Hà Nội Ha Long bay. In the evisa application, what port should I choose as the exit seaport? Thankyou

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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Lana B, Please choose the last port that you will exit Vietnam, such as Hon Gai Seaport (For Halong Bay).

5 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
terry lam
United States

Taking Royal Caribbean Cruise one of the port is arriving Nha Trang at 8am embark and disembark -6pm for 10 hours in vietnam. Do i need to apply for a visa prior to my cruise or get on on the ship. I am a US citizen!

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A Answered by Lina Tran

@terry lam, It is advised that you apply for a visa before your cruise trip in Nha Trang. You can apply for a visa at the local embassy in the USA or apply online for an e-visa.

6 people found this helpful
Helpful
Q
Ingrid Jimenez
Usa

Do you have any idea for the time line for when e visas will be available for all countries? Our cruise is in August of 2023.

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A Answered by Lan

@Ingrid Jimenez, We believe the new rules will become effective in this June/July! Please check our visa policy updates below:

https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-visa-policy-updates-news.html

 

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Ingrid Jimenez
United States

I will be on a cruise that stops in Vietnam. My travel companion has a Costa Rican passport and they are not eligible for an e visa. Can she obtain a loose leaf visa in the first port stop?

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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Ingrid Jimenez, Yes, it is possible. However, we advise you to contact your cruise operator for visa information. According to the new proposal, e-visas will be made available to all countries, including Costa Rica. Therefore, we recommend that you wait for the visa policy update before applying for a visa.

Helpful
Q
Dena edelstein
United States

I was planning on being on a cruise that entered Vietnam on Aug 2, Aug 21, and Aug 22. I cancelled the first cruise so first port will be august 21. The dates on my evisa say good from august 2 through September 1. Do I need to reapply? (It also says single entry but your other comments addressed this)

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A Answered by Lan

@Dena edelstein, You can enter Vietnam using the current visa anytime before 01 Sept, no need to apply for another visa in this case!

Helpful
Q
Jeanette Pan
United States

I'm checking to see if an e-visa is sufficient for my cruise. Looking at your list of seaports that accept e-visa, I'm not sure. E-visa is also for one entry, but I think that's ok for me?

Celebrity Cruise ship will stop first at Halong Bay seaport (?) or Cai Lan seaport for Hanoi. Next stop is at Chan May seaport for Hue/Danang. Last stop is at Phu My seaport for Ho Chi Minh. Please let me know if e-visa will work for me. Or should I get a loose-leaf visa on arrival or a regular visa where I need to send my passport to the Vietnam Embassy.

Celebrity Cruise is unable to confirm if they can issue loose-leaf visa, so maybe I should apply for e-visa before arrival? You need a digital picture uploaded and $25 for e-visa? For loose-leaf visa, you need 2 physical passport pictures?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Mai Le

@Jeanette Pan, You can go with e-visa in this case as it will allow you to enter Vietnam at all the listed ports above. To obtain the e-visa, you will need to provide one passport photo, a scanned copy of your passport data page, and pay the e-visa fee.

Helpful
Q
Suzanne
Australia

Hi, My client is travelling on a South African passport, visiting Nha Trang for 1 day on her cruise. Can she apply for a loose leaf visa on arrival?

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A Answered by Lan

@Suzanne, The loose-leaf visa on arrival for cruise passengers may not be currently available. We advise you to contact the cruise operator for the latest visa information, as they also handle visa applications for their customers.

Helpful
Q
Paula
Romania

Hi, I am planning on going to a cruise to Asia, one of the stops is in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City Seaport, it is only one day in Vietnam from 8.00-18.00. Do I need visa to entry for one day as a romanian citizen? Thank you

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Paula, Yes, you are required a valid visa to visit Vietnam regardless the length of the stay!

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Terri SwainCollins
Canada

Do we need another picture besides our passport picture for a loose leaf visa at disembarkment from the ship at the first port in Vietnam? Can we get these loose leaf visas at time of the stop in Vietnam? Any need to get them ahead of time ? What is the cost at the port for one of these visas.

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

@Terri Swain Collins, You can consider applying for an e-visa in advance instead, it will allow you to enter Vietnam at any of the international seaports in Vietnam withou the need of getting a loose-leaf visa on arrival.

1 people found this helpful
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Frequently asked questions

1. How much is the entry visa fee for cruise passengers?

The application fee may vary depending on the cruise ship that you are booking with, we advise that you contact your cruise operator directly for information.

2. Can I apply for a visa on arrival if I enter Vietnam on a cruise ship?

No, visa on arrival is for air passengers only. You can ask the cruise operator to organize visas for your cruise trip to Vietnam.

Contact sales if you have additional questions.

Contact support if you already submitted your visa application on our website.

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