Vietnam visa for Japan citizens

Do Japanese passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?

Japan is among the countries included in Vietnam's visa exemption list, which allows Japanese nationals to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 consecutive days without a visa. However, there are certain requirements that must be met including:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival in Vietnam.
• There must be at least two blank pages in your passport for the visa stamp.

If you plan to stay longer than 45 days or engage in activities that are not covered by the visa exemption program, such as working or studying, you will need to obtain a visa. Some popular types of visas for Japanese citizens traveling to Vietnam include business visa, tourist visa, working visa, and visa for family or relative visits.

Visa requirements in brief:

How to apply for a Vietnamese visa on a Japanese passport

Japanese citizens who expect to stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days or require a visa for other purposes can get a visa through different channels namely applying in person at the Vietnam Embassy in Japan, through the e-visa system, or obtaining a visa on arrival at an international airport in Vietnam.

Visa at the Vietnam Embassy in Japan

If you want to extend your stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days or require other types of visas, you can apply for a Vietnam visa at the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General of Vietnam in Japan. The embassy is located in Tokyo and the consulate is in Osaka. To apply for a visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Your original passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into Vietnam, and have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp.
• A completed visa application form, which can be downloaded from the embassy's website or obtained in person.
• One recent passport-size photo.
• Visa fee payment (the fee may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the processing time).

Once you have submitted your application, wait for your visa to be approved and you can pick it up at the embassy or consulate.

Apply for e-visa online

Japanese passport holders are also eligible for a Vietnam e-visa with a stay for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes. The e-visa is a single-entry visa and is valid for a maximum of 30 days. Here is the guidance for an e-visa application to enter Vietnam:

1. Visit the Vietnam e-visa website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ and fill out the application form. 
2. Provide the required information and upload a recent passport-style photo and a scanned copy of your passport's biographical page.
3. Pay the e-visa fee online (25 USD ~ 3290 JPY) using a credit or debit card.
4. Once your e-visa is approved after around 03 working days, you will receive it via email.

Apply for a visa on arrival

Those traveling by air can obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival at one of the designated international airports in Vietnam. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Apply for a visa approval letter from a reputable visa agency in Vietnam.
2. Pay the visa approval letter processing fee online using a credit or debit card.
3. Wait for the visa approval letter to be processed and receive it via mail.
4. Upon arrival at one of Vietnam’s international airports such as Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat or Da Nang, present the visa approval letter, your passport, and two passport-size photos at the visa on-arrival counter.
5. Pay the visa stamping fee in cash (US dollars or Vietnamese Dong) and receive your visa.

How much is the visa fee for Japanese passports?

Fee comparison 

Travel tips for Japanese citizens visiting Vietnam

How to get there

There are many airlines that offer flights between Vietnam and Japan namely Vietnam Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, VietJet Air, Peach Aviation, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, AirAsia, and Cathay Pacific Airways. Flights often connect major cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with the ones in Japan including Tokyo and Osaka. 

Tokyo - Ho Chi Minh City

Osaka - Ho Chi Minh City

Weather information

Vietnam and Japan feature different climates and weather patterns due to differences in terms of geographical location and topography.

• Climate: Vietnam has a tropical climate and two distinct seasons: a wet season and a dry season. On the other hand, Japan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
• Weather: In Vietnam, the wet season usually lasts from May to October, while the dry season lasts from November to April. During the wet season, there are heavy rain and frequent typhoons, which can cause flooding and landslides. Meanwhile, Japan experiences a warm summer, a mild spring and autumn, and a cold winter.
• Temperature: The average temperature in Vietnam ranges from 25-35°C (77-95°F), depending on the region and time of year. The average temperature in Japan is from 5 to 30°C (41-86°F).