Vietnam visa for New Zealand citizens

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

New Zealand citizens are not eligible for the Vietnam visa waiver program, thus are REQUIRED to apply for a valid visa before entering Vietnam. You can apply for the following types of visas:

• Tourist visa: This visa is suitable for those who plan to visit Vietnam for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, or attending cultural events. A tourist visa is valid for visits for up to 90 days with single entry.
• Business visa: If you intend to visit Vietnam for business purposes such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating business deals, you can apply for this type of visa.
• Work visa: A work visa is needed if you plan to work in Vietnam for a certain period.
• Transit visa: In order to transfer from Vietnam to another country, you are required to obtain a transit visa.

Visa requirements in brief:

How to apply for a Vietnamese visa on a New Zealand passport

General information

New Zealand nationals have three options to obtain a visa for Vietnam, including applying for an e-visa online, obtaining a visa on arrival at a Vietnam’s international airport, or applying in-person at a Vietnamese Embassy in the country. A Vietnamese tourist visa is valid for a single-entry stay of up to 90 days, while a business visa can be obtained for stays of up to 90 days. It is mandatory for visa applicants to hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining before expiration to be eligible for a visa.

Visa at the Vietnam Embassy in New Zealand

You can get a visa in person at the Embassy of Vietnam in Wellington. Here are steps to follow:

1. Fill out and submit the application form online or in person at the Vietnam Embassy in Wellington.
2. Provide a scanned copy of your ordinary passport which has at least 6-month validity remaining, 02 passport-sized photos, and any other necessary documents.
3. Pay the visa fee using a suitable payment method, such as a credit card or cash.
4. Receive your visa via mail or in person at the Embassy.

Apply for e-visa online

New Zealand nationals are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa for tourism, business, and transit purposes. The e-visa enables visits to Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days from the date of arrival and is valid for single entry only. Vietnam e-visa cannot be extended. Here are the steps to apply for a Vietnam e-visa:

1. Go to Vietnam's official immigration website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
2. Complete the online application form by providing your personal details, passport information, and other required information.
3. Upload a recent passport-sized photo and a scanned copy of your valid passport.
4. Pay the e-visa fee, 25 USD ~ 39 NZD.
5. Wait to receive your e-visa via email within 3 working days.
6. Print out the e-visa and present it to immigration officials upon arrival in Vietnam.

Apply for a visa on arrival

You can also apply for a visa on arrival if traveling by air. This type of visa requires an approval letter in advance and can be issued upon arrival at one of Vietnam's airports. To obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival, you can follow these steps:

1. Contact a reputable travel agency or visa-processing company in Vietnam and apply online for an approval letter using your valid passport.
2. Submit your application and payment, then wait for 2-3 business days to receive an approval letter via email.
3. Print out the approval letter and bring it with you, along with 2 passport-sized photos to present at the arrival counters in Vietnam.
4. Pay the stamping fee and get your visa.

How much is the visa fee for New Zealand passports?

Fee comparison

Travel tips for New Zealand citizens visiting Vietnam

How to get there

There are several airlines that connect New Zealand and Vietnam. As there are no direct flights between the two countries, passengers are required to take connected flights with at least one layover or transfer.

Auckland - Ho Chi Minh City

Wellington - Ho Chi Minh City

Weather information

Located in different regions thus the weather in Vietnam and New Zealand is characterized by unique features.

• Climate: New Zealand has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons and relatively high rainfall, while Vietnam has a tropical climate with high temperatures and a rainy season.
• Temperature: The average temperature in Vietnam ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year. During winters, the temperature can drop to below 20 degrees Celsius while in New Zealand, the temperature varies significantly between seasons and regions. It can range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius with the warmest regions being in the North Island. During winter months, the temperatures can drop to below 15 degrees Celsius.
• Rainfall: New Zealand experiences a relatively high amount of rainfall throughout the year, especially on the western coast of the South Island. In contrast, Vietnam has a rainy season from May to October.