Latest Thailand & Vietnam Visa Guide: Requirements and Visa-Free

Planning a Thailand and Vietnam tour is simple with clear visa rules and flexible entry options. Many nationalities enjoy visa-free stays in one or both countries, while others can take advantage of convenient e-visas and visa-on-arrival services. Thailand’s visa exemption allows visits of up to 30 days for many travelers, while Vietnam’s e-visa offers up to 90 days with simple online applications. Knowing the right visa type for your trip can save you time, money, and stress before you even board your flight.

E-visa is the most recommended way for Thailand and Vietnam tours. Our latest Thailand and Vietnam visa guide will bring you up to speed on the requirements so you can enjoy your tour without worry. Whether you’re taking a short holiday or a longer adventure across Southeast Asia, you’ll find practical tips to make your journey smooth. Read on to discover the best visa options and how to make the most of your travel from Thailand to Vietnam.

Do You Need a Visa? Visa-Free Entry for Thailand and Vietnam Tour

People from many countries can enjoy visa-free entry for a Thailand and Vietnam tour. Unfortunately, not everyone can enter both countries without a visa.

Visas for Thailand
Under Thailand’s Visa Exemption Scheme, tourists from 64 countries are allowed to enter the country without applying for a Thailand visa. The requirements are that the visit is for tourism purposes only, the visit is no longer than 30 days, and in some cases, a valid address in Thailand and a confirmed return ticket may be required. A visa on arrival is available to nationals from an additional 15 countries for stays of up to 15 days at a cost of around 65 USD, and an eVisa for longer stays is also available for around 82 USD.

Thailand Visa Exemptions:

Visas for Vietnam
Citizens of 26 countries are eligible for visa exemptions when entering Vietnam for stays between 14 and 90 days. All other travelers can choose between three ways of obtaining a Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa Exemptions:

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Thailand vs. Vietnam Visa: Key Differences & Processes

Thailand and Vietnam have similar channels for arranging visas, but the processes have some differences. Make sure you know the options available in both countries.

Visa-Free Stay
If you’re traveling with a US passport, you’ll be able to enter Thailand visa-free for a stay of 30 days. Vietnam currently does not offer visa-free stays for US citizens. Citizens of some other countries can visit Vietnam without a visa for stays between 14 and 45 days.

E-Visas
E-visas for stays of up to 60 days can be arranged for Thailand tours. Apply through the official government website at thaievisa.go.th. The cost is between 30 and 60 USD, depending on your country of citizenship, and processing takes 3-10 working days.

Vietnam’s e-visa system is the most recommended way to enter the country. Travelers can apply through the official website at https://evisa.gov.vn/. E-visas are available for stays of up to 90 days with options for single or multiple entry. A single-entry, 90-day e-visa costs 25 USD and can be used to enter through major airports and land and sea borders. Visa processing time is three working days.

A sample of Thailand E-Visa.

Visa on Arrival
Thailand’s visa-on-arrival program is available to a limited number of countries. A visa on arrival is valid for a 15-day stay and is applied for at the visa office at your point of entry. Processing times depend on how busy the visa office is and can take up to several hours.

Vietnam’s visa on arrival system is different from most other countries. Before arriving, a pre-approved letter must be obtained online or through an authorized travel agency. The pre-approval letter is presented at the airport on arrival, and the visa is issued. These visas can be arranged for one or three-month stays at a cost of 25 or 50 USD, respectively. The visa on arrival can only be used for entry at major airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hai Phong, Da Lat, or Nha Trang. The processing time for the pre-approved letter is two business days.

A sample of Vietnam pre-approved letter.

Visa through an Embassy or Consulate
It is also possible to apply for a visa through the nearest embassy or consulate. For Thailand, applications need to be made in person. The visa fee at the embassy is 30 USD, and tourist visas are typically granted for stays of 15-30 days.

Applying for a visa at a Vietnamese embassy can be done in person or by mail. It is necessary to obtain visa approval before applying through a hosting / inviting organization or individual. Once approval has been obtained, a visa can be applied for in person or by mail through the Embassy. The standard processing time is 3 working days, and an expedited 24-hour service is available for an additional fee.

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What’s the Best Visa Type for You to Plan a Thailand and Vietnam Tour?

If you are planning a Thailand and Vietnam trip for short time, less than 30 days, then Thailand’s visa exemption is perfect. If you’re eligible, it will cover your full stay with lots of time to spare. For Vietnam, the e-visa is the best option. With a simple online application process and up to 90-day validity, it is the simplest choice.

E-visas are the most recommended way to travel to Southeast Asia, especially for longer tours. Both Thailand and Vietnam offer multiple-entry e-visas for stays up to 60 and 90 days, respectively. With the visas arranged in advance, you can enter the countries smoothly, and multiple entries let you go back and forth between destinations.

E-visas also help you avoid unnecessary paperwork, whether you need a visa for one country or both. The online application process is simpler than applying through the embassy, and the multiple-entry option means you won’t be scrambling to apply for a visa if you make any changes to your itinerary.

A sample of Vietnam E-Visa.

Where and When to Apply for Visas for Thailand and Vietnam Tour?

Use the official e-visa websites to apply for visas from your home country or from other places in Southeast Asia. You can even apply for an e-visa while you are in the same country, but you will need to exit and re-enter to start the visa, which is common for those who travel from Thailand to Vietnam.

If you stay longer in Thailand, tourist visas can be extended. Tourist visas can be extended by an additional 30 days. Fill in the application form by downloading it first, or go directly to the nearest Thai immigration office and fill it in there. The application fee is 1,900 THB (~59 USD). You must apply for the extension before your current visa expires; it is advised to start at least a week in advance.

Currently, Vietnam does not allow for visa extensions. Tourists wishing to stay longer need to apply for an additional e-visa, and then exit and re-enter the country.

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Conclusion

Visa exemptions and e-visas make it easy for almost everyone to travel to Thailand and Vietnam. For the average holiday of a couple of weeks, you can take care of the applications online before you go, and not have to worry about it again. Visa extensions in Thailand and the 90 e-visa for Vietnam are probably enough to cover the longest trips.

Start planning your combined Thailand and Vietnam tour, knowing it’s simple to visit both countries. Our Thailand and Vietnam tour itineraries will take you to the highlights of both countries, or contact us to start putting together a personalized tour plan. With so much to see in Southeast Asia, we’ll help fill every day of your visa with unforgettable experiences.