Vietnam

On 1 January 2015, the Vietnamese Government introduced a number of major reforms to their immigration laws specifically targeted at visas for foreigners entering Vietnam. Foreigners entering Vietnam are no longer permitted to change the status of their entry visa (such as tourist visa or spouse visa) to any other visa type (such as a working visa) in-country. Australian citizens who are intending to work in Vietnam should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam to seek further guidance on obtaining the correct visa to enter Vietnam for work purposes.

The new immigration law also states that foreigners should use only one passport for his or her entry, exit, transit and residence in Vietnam.

The Australian Government has received reports of scams involving online visa applications and applications through travel agents for a ‘visa on arrival’ approval letter. The Australian Government is also aware of reports of applicants’ personal details being made public after applying for a ‘visa on arrival’ approval letter, either online or through a travel agent.

Due to these risks, the Australian Government recommends that you apply for a visa for Vietnam directly from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.

In order to obtain a visa extension from the Vietnamese immigration authorities (including for overstaying your visa), your passport must have at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of application. This requirement is subject to change, so you should confirm with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.

Failure to hold a valid visa in your passport may delay your departure from Vietnam.

For detailed information on passports and visas for Vietnam, including lost or stolen passports, visa replacements and exit visas, please visit the Australian Embassy or Consulate-General in Vietnam websites.

You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. For information on reporting and replacing your lost or stolen passport, visit the Australian Passport Office website.

You are required to pay an additional fee to the Australian Government to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Australian Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

All foreigners are required to register their place of residence with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.

Foreigners staying at a hotel should check with hotel management that registration is completed as part of the normal check-in process. You will need to provide your passport details to the hotel for registration to be completed.

Foreigners staying at a private residence, for example, at the residence of family or friends, must register by visiting the local police station, with a translator if needed. Please note, the Embassy or Consulate-General cannot provide translation services to assist with registration. If you are staying at a private residence, you must ensure that your local host has complied with the legal obligations associated with the pre-registration of foreign guests.

If you intend to leave Vietnam and return during your trip, you should hold a valid Vietnamese multiple-entry visa.

Australians planning to travel to neighbouring countries should refer to the travel advisories for Cambodia,Laos and China.

Foreign currency (including cash and travellers cheques) in excess of US$5,000, Vietnamese Dong 15,000,000 and gold exceeding 300 grams must be declared at customs (with supporting documentation) upon arrival and departure. Excess currency and gold not declared may be confiscated at the port of entry/exit and the passenger arrested and/or fined. These requirements may be subject to change and you should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam for the most up to date information.

Local law stipulates that prescription medicine (except for addictive and psychotropic medicine) intended for non-commercial use can be brought in to Vietnam at a quantity where the total import value is less than USD 100. Prescription medicine with a total import value greater than USD 100 must be declared at customs.
Local law stipulates that the quantity of addictive medicine (medicine that deals with the treatment of addiction) and psychotropic medicine (medicine used to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and other mind-altering diseases) carried by individuals upon entry and exit must not exceed the quantity prescribed by a doctor, and must not exceed a maximum of seven days use. The prescription must be in English or Vietnamese, include name and age of patient, list all medication, including name, volume and dosage, and include the doctor’s signature and address. Medication must be declared at the customs gate.

If local authorities deem it necessary, passengers may need to undergo thermal body temperature screening to test for symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at the three international airports in Vietnam (Noi Bai – Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat – Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang International Airport). This is targeted at travellers from countries considered high risk. The outbreak of EVD in west Africa is the most serious in recorded history. For more information on the outbreak and regional travel restrictions and preventative measures, see the Ebola outbreak in west Africa travel bulletin.

Street crime and harassment occur, especially in larger cities. Petty theft, including bag-slashing, is common in tourist areas, markets, on crowded trains, buses and at supermarkets. The incidence of petty theft increases in the lead up to Vietnamese and Western holiday periods.

Aggravated theft and assault occur, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa (particularly on the train to/from Lao Cai) and Cat Ba Island (near Ha Long Bay).

Snatch-and-grab crimes against pedestrians by thieves on motorcycles are frequent and have sometimes resulted in injury to victims. These types of crimes can occur when crossing the street or walking along footpaths. Be aware that valuables such as jewellery, handbags, phones and cameras are popular targets for criminals. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and where possible, minimise the amount of valuables you carry.

There have been reports of taxi scams involving foreigners. At airports, travellers are advised to use airport taxis, prearranged hotel transfer services or taxis from clearly marked taxi ranks with minders. Check that any person holding a placard with your name on it knows your destination. You should ensure that, if you are catching a taxi late at night, you choose a reputable and reliable company and that the taxi driver knows your destination before entering the taxi.

Foreigners have been robbed and sexually assaulted after accepting spiked food and drinks, particularly at late-night establishments in major cities.

Due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

There have been reports of break-ins to hotels and private residences, even while guests are in their rooms. You should take care to ensure your valuables are secure at all times and report any theft promptly to the local police and hotel management.

There have been reported cases of tourists becoming victims of gambling scams. Be aware of people who are overly friendly towards you and invite you back to their home. These approaches may lead to gambling scams, in which some Australians have lost thousands of dollars. Gambling may contravene local laws, which also apply to tourists. See the ‘Laws’ section for further information.

There have been reports of threats of physical violence or death related to personal or commercial disputes. If this occurs, you should report the matter to the local police personally, or through your hotel staff or other in-country contacts. To avoid potential disputes, make sure you have a clear agreement on what the expected level of service is.

Although rare, protests do occur in Vietnam. Australians should avoid taking photographs of demonstrations, the military or the police, as this may not be tolerated by the Vietnamese authorities.

Internal conflict is rare in Vietnam, although some localised violent clashes between protesters and police have, in the past, resulted in a small number of casualties.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. See our Terrorist Threat Overseas bulletin.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout major cities in Vietnam. Cash can be obtained using several internationally recognised credit/debit cards through ATMs, which are widespread in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. You should check with your bank to confirm if your ATM card will work in Vietnam

Incidents of card swiping have occurred throughout Vietnam and you should keep your credit card in sight at all times. There have also been incidents of theft occurring near ATMs soon after travellers make cash withdrawals.

If you require a replacement ATM card while overseas, please be aware that you may have difficulty having it delivered to Vietnam. Many Australian banks do not maintain local or regional branches with English-speaking staff and Vietnamese postal services are generally unreliable. You should consider using an international courier service if you need a replacement. The Australian Embassy or Consulate-General cannot provide you with bridging funds while you wait for a new card.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the Australian Embassy in Hanoi or the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City as soon as possible.

Please refer to the Entry and exit section for advice on what to do if your passport is lost or stolen in Vietnam.

Review the General advice to Australian travellers for further information on being safe and prepared abroad.

You must have a valid Vietnamese drivers licence to drive in Vietnam for all vehicles, including motorcycles of 50cc or more. Australian International Driver’s Permits are not recognised in Vietnam. Non-Vietnamese citizens are only permitted to drive in Vietnam if they hold a temporary Vietnamese drivers licence. Fines for driving without a valid licence vary. For information on obtaining a Vietnamese drivers licence (including temporary licences) visit the website of the Australian Embassy or Consulate-General in Vietnam.

Driving standards and vehicle and road maintenance are generally poor. Traffic accidents occur frequently in Vietnam and tend to attract large crowds.

A very high number of serious injuries and deaths occur as a result of motorcycle accidents. The number of tourists involved in serious motorcycle accidents is increasing. Under Vietnamese law, you must wear a helmet at all times when riding a motorcycle, including when travelling as a passenger.

You should consider the risks of driving a car or riding a motorcycle in Vietnam, particularly if you are unfamiliar with local conditions. If you are involved in an accident, whether or not you are at fault, you could face criminal charges and may be required to make large compensation payments to the injured person.

Inter-city buses have a high accident rate. Petty theft regularly occurs on buses.

Streets are crowded in major cities and road rules are routinely ignored. Be very careful when crossing busy streets as traffic can appear from any direction.

For further advice, see our road travel page.

Rail travel is generally safe in Vietnam, however petty theft can occur. We have received numerous reports of theft on sleeper trains between Hanoi and Lao Cai/Sapa. When travelling by rail, ensure you retain the ticket stub at all times as it is required upon exiting the train station.

Boats, hydrofoils and ferries in Vietnam may not meet Australian safety standards. Accidents on waterways do occur and there have been a number of fatalities resulting from vessels sinking, for example, in Ha Long Bay. Whenever considering travelling by boat, you should ask tour operators about the safety record and emergency procedures, and ensure there is adequate safety equipment such as life vests on board.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Vietnam. For more information about piracy, see our piracy bulletin. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports on its website.

All airports in Vietnam require you to show your luggage tags when exiting the airport. You must ensure to keep your luggage receipt from your airline on you at all times.

Vietnamese law requires that children 14 years and under travelling alone on domestic flights must carry a birth certificate and an authorisation letter between the legal guardian of the child and the airline confirming that the child can travel alone. We recommend that you contact the airline well in advance of the flight to confirm this requirement.

The Australian Government does not provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths. See instead the Aviation Safety Network website for information on aviation safety in Vietnam.

Please also refer to our general air travel page for information on aviation safety and security.

Vietnamese authorities have strict security and investigative measures to combat drug trafficking. Penalties for all types of drug offences are severe. Under the Vietnamese penal code, a person caught in possession of even a small amount of heroin can be sentenced to death. It is common for drug offences to attract a sentence of life imprisonment.

There are currently over 30 Australians currently serving life sentences for drug trafficking offences, including some potentially facing the death penalty.

You should never carry parcels or luggage for others.

More information on the risks of carrying or using drugs is available on the Smartraveller Drugs page.

For information about carrying prescription medications into Vietnam, see the Entry and exit section.

Penalties for serious crime, such as rape, espionage and hijacking, include the death sentence.

Photography of border crossings and military installations is prohibited and may result in arrest or deportation. You should also avoid taking photographs during demonstrations.

You could be detained if you venture too close to the border with China, Cambodia or Laos without prior written permission from the local authorities. You should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam for up to date information on this issue.

Gambling is illegal in Vietnam, except in government-licensed casinos. Anyone found to be in violation of this law is subject to steep fines and/or a severe prison sentence. Access to licensed casinos is restricted to holders of foreign passports.

Foreign citizens suspected by local authorities to be involved in non-state sanctioned political or religious activities may be denied entry into Vietnam, detained, deported or prevented from departing Vietnam until authorities have completed investigations of their activities. This also applies to activities carried out online.

It is against the law to export antiques from Vietnam without a permit. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism can provide further advice and any necessary permit. Please note that this website is in Vietnamese and you may need a translator to assist in determining correct requirements. The Australian Embassy and Consulate-General cannot provide translation services.

Local laws prohibit possession of pornography, non-state sanctioned political material and religious material. Being caught in possession of this type of material will attract penalties, including fines and detention.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.

Foreigners wishing to marry a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam must seek formal approval from the Department of Justice in the province where the Vietnamese citizen is registered. You will also be required to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) if you plan to marry in Vietnam. You can apply for a CNI through the Australian Embassy in Hanoi or the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City. Please note, the Embassy and Consulate-General will only issue CNIs for the purpose of marriage. You can also apply for the CNI from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia, but it will need to be authenticated by the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Australia before it is recognised by the Department of Justice in Vietnam, so additional fees will apply.

Increased Australian business activity in Vietnam has resulted in higher numbers of commercial disputes in recent years. If you are considering entering into a contract of any sort in Vietnam, you are advised to seek professional legal advice before entering into the contract.

If Australian nationals carrying out business in Vietnam become involved in a business or civil dispute, they may be prevented from leaving the country until the matter is resolved.

Australians doing business in Vietnam should see our advice for business travellers for general information on the potential for legal and other risks. The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) provides specific advice on doing business in Vietnam. In addition, our Living and working overseas page provides further information.

Disputes over alleged misrepresentation of working and living conditions for Australians working in Vietnam, particularly those teaching English, occur frequently. If you are considering travelling to Vietnam for work, you should verify the true nature of the work being offered and make sure you have the correct visa before arrival. You are advised to seek professional legal advice before signing any contract, whether in Australia or after arrival in Vietnam.

Points to check carefully include:

• Employment contracts: Contracts may contain unacceptable conditions. For example, conditions for early termination may state that the employee surrenders the right to a return air ticket, and pay may be withheld.
• Passports: Reputable businesses will not request you to surrender your passport for "safe-keeping". You should not surrender your passport in these circumstances.
• Failure to maintain a valid visa and work permit will result in a fine and possible detention. Please check the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the appropriate types of visa categories for employment in Vietnam.

If you intend to work in Vietnam, you and/or your prospective employer are responsible for obtaining all necessary work permits. The Australian Embassy or Consulate-General can provide a limited range of notarial services for some documents required for a work permit.

Vietnam only recognises dual nationality in limited circumstances.

Our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Vietnamese dual nationals who have entered Vietnam on their Vietnamese passport may be limited, as local authorities may claim the person is a Vietnamese citizen. Particularly in cases of arrest and detention, Australian consular officials may not be advised, permitted consular access or allowed to provide consular assistance to Australian/Vietnamese dual nationals.

We encourage all Australian/Vietnamese dual nationals to travel on their Australian passport.

If you are an Australian/Vietnamese dual national, you may be subject to compulsory military service while in the country. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam in Australia before you travel.

Our Dual nationals page provides further information.

Flooding is common in and around Hanoi, in Northern Vietnam and in the Mekong River Delta regions in the south. The Mekong River Commission website contains information on flood levels for the Mekong River region. Flooding, flash flooding and landslides may occur during the rainy season (June-December).

Typhoons are also common during this period. The areas most affected by typhoons are the coastal provinces of the North and Central Regions. However, typhoons in the south, though less frequent, still occur. If a typhoon does occur, travellers should follow the instructions of local authorities, monitor media and weather reports, and check with tour operators before travelling to affected areas.

For information on what to do in a storm, see our severe weather page.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

For additional general and economic information to assist travelling in this country, see the following links:

• DFAT country information
• Austrade market information
• Smartraveller advice for business travellers