Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days. 

Tourist visa can only be obtained in Vietnam embassy, consulates abroad. Otherwise, you can get a visa at the border gates if you are invitees of some Vietnamese competent organs or you are travelling on a package tour organized by Vietnamese travel companies. To apply for a visa, the requirements are as follows: 

• Entry permit form (which can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another) - There are two categories of this form: for foreigners and for Vietnamese overseas.
• Two photos (4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm)
• Original passport
• Visa fee.

You should send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address). 

It is easier to get your visa from a Vietnamese travel agency. The nehossary information to the travel agency include:

• Full name
• Birthday and place of birth
• Nationality
• Job
• Number of your passport
• Entry and exit dates
• Country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates

Vietnamese overseas are required to provide more information:

• Year and reason to leave Vietnam
• Leave Vietnam by means
• Full names and addresses of relations in Vietnam

Visa exemption: 

By February 06, 2009, Vietnam inked 56 visa exemption agreements and treaties with 55 countries, 54 of them have come into effect. The following is the List of visa exemption agreements between Vietnam and other countries. 

CUSTOMS  

Customs procedures in Vietnam are quick and simple. To enter and exit Vietnam, visitors are required to fulfill the arrival - departure declaration. 

Customs Information 

1.- Passengers are given duty free allowance for not more than 1.5 liters of liquor with above 22 degrees of concentration of alcohol and two liters of liquor below 22 degrees of concentration of alcohol; 400 cigarettes; 100 cigars; 500 gram of raw tobacco. 

   - Other items which are allowed in accompanying baggage are duty free with value not over VND 5,000,000. 

   - Passengers bringing goods exceeding the amount as above stated are required to fill in the declaration form No. HQ/2002-PMD and pay duty(ies) according to Vietnamese laws.  

2. Passengers whose goods are not subject to customs declaration on page 4, 5 (For customs declaration) do not have to declare.  

CURRENCY 

Vietnamese đồng (VND) is the official currency in Vietnam.

- Paper notes include: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200.

Cheques with value as Vietnamese đồng include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.

- Foreign currencies and tourist cheques can be exchanged into Vietnamese đồng at banks or foreign exchange agencies.

 - Credit cards are popularly used, especially in cities and big tourist centers. 

Vietnamese đồng can be changed into foreign currencies at the airport

Source: Vietnam Immigration deparment