Why choosing Visa2Asia Vietnam business visa service?
Part 1:
Are you on the hunt for a time-saving and traveler-friendly Vietnam business visa application service?
Then go for our excellent online Vietnam business visa on arrival services that facilitate you to achieve a business visa easily in only three steps:
Step 1: Fill in the Vietnam business visa on arrival application form online and upload a scanned copy of your passport.
Step 2: Make online payment for the service fee through PayPal or your bank account.
Step 3: After you have submitted your passport and paid the service fee, we will proceed with your application and email you the approval letter for the business visa on arrival within 2 days. This letter allows you to get the business visa stamped on your passport at the arrival airport.
How much is the Vietnam business visa fee?
The Vietnam business visa cost varies based on your chosen way of application.
If you apply directly at the Vietnam embassy/consulate in your country, the fee depends on how much the embassy charges and the type of visa you select.
You will be charged the service fee and the stamping fee if you opt for a business visa on arrival. You can pay the service cost online through your bank account, while the stamping fee must be paid in cash at the airport’s visa counter (USD or VND).
Why choosing Visa2Asia airport supporting services upon arrival?
We don’t just stop at helping you acquire a business visa in Vietnam. We make the entry process at the airport as easy and fast as possible for our beloved customers.
To ensure you have the most delightful arrival to Vietnam and get your visa at the airport as fast as possible, our on-arrival supporting services are highly recommended.
Airport fast track service
You have arrived at the airport after a long flight with your visa approval letter. You quickly get to the visa counter just to find that in front of you is a very long queue waiting to get their visas stamped. Sounds familiar?
Why wait tediously just to get a visa sticker when you can save your precious time by choosing our excellent airport fast-track services. Don’t let the hassle stands in your way and go for one of these 2 options to have a fast entry in Vietnam:
Normal fast-track: Our staff will wait at the visa counter holding the welcome board with your name. Once you have reached our staff, you will be assisted in getting the visa sticker swiftly without having to wait in lines.
VIP fast-track: A staff will stand at the visa counter with your name on the welcome board to help you get the visa stamp speedily without queuing. After that, our staff will keep you accompanied and escort you quickly through a private line at the passport control gate. Finally, you will be guided to the luggage lounge and get assisted in picking up your suitcases.
Airport car pick-up service
Once you have got your visa and all your belongings, there is no need to book a taxi to get to your place. It sometimes results in being overcharged.
Why not sit back and enjoy a delightful ride to your destination with our airport pick-up service. A comfy private vehicle will be ready outside the airport to whisk you off to your accommodation or desired address.
Have a great business trip to Vietnam!
Don’t hesitate to apply for a Vietnam business visa through Visa2Asia. We provide exceptional visa services and the additional airport supports to have a smooth business trip to Vietnam. All procedures will be carried out quickly and seamlessly without any hassle. Contact us now!
FAQs
- How long does it take to get a Vietnam business visa?
The processing time may vary depending on the way you apply for a Vietnam business visa. It takes about 5-6 working days if you apply at the embassy or consulate. Whereas if you apply online, you will get the visa approval letter within 48 hours.
- What is a DN visa in Vietnam?
Vietnam DN visa is the other name for Vietnam business visa granted to foreigners who come to Vietnam for business.
- Can I apply for a Vietnam business e-visa?
Vietnam has not yet accepted an e-visa for the business visa application. You can only apply for an e-visa for a tourist visa.
- Can I change my tourist visa to a business visa when I’m in Vietnam?
You are not allowed to change from a tourist visa to a business visa in Vietnam.
- How do I extend my business visa in Vietnam?
To prolong your stay without leaving Vietnam, you should apply for a business visa extension directly at the country embassy. Steps to follow are:
Step 1: Prepare the required documents:
- Vietnam business visa extension form
- Original business visa or temporary residence card
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Sponsorship or invitation letter from the licensed company in Vietnam
- Temporary residence permit or confirmation of temporary residence registration at the commune police station
- A document written by the inviting company explaining the reason for visa extension
Step 2: Submit all the documents to the embassy and pay the business visa extension fee.
Step 3: Get the visa extension result after 5-7 business days.
- Can I extend my Vietnam business visa for 6 more months?
No, you can not. The maximum extended validity period for a Vietnam business visa is 3 months.
How To Apply For A Vietnam Visa In Canada
Vietnam never ceases to captivate millions of foreign visitors worldwide. Many nationalities are required to have a valid visa before entering Vietnam, and Canadian citizens are not an exception. So if you are from Canada and want to obtain a Vietnam visa, this article is for you.
Why do Canadians need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Vietnam has signed bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreements with 88 countries. However, based on the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, Canadian citizens are not permitted to enter Vietnam under visa exemption.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa in Canada?
Officially, there are 4 ways to apply for a Vietnam visa beforehand:
- In-person at the Embassy’s office
- By regular mail
- By email
- Online
You are obligated to prepare the required documents according to one of the 4 ways you choose to apply for a Vietnam visa.
In-person at the Embassy
You need to directly submit your Vietnam visa application to the Vietnam Embassy’s office at 55 Mackay Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1M2B2 in three steps:
Step 1: Prepare the required documents as follow:
- Your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam, and at least 1 blank page left.
- A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
- A color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.
Step 2: Make payments for the visa fee. You must pay in $US cash, $US bank draft payable to “The embassy of Vietnam” or fill in the credit card charge form.
Step 3: Get your Vietnam visa at the embassy after 5-7 working days.
Notes:
- You may request friends, relatives, or representatives to apply on your behalf (no Authority of Attorney required).
- The visa will be stamped on your passport. Here’s a sample of the visa you would receive:
By regular mail
You can apply for a Vietnam visa through regular mail in four steps:
Step 1: Prepare the following documents:
- Your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam, and at least 1 blank page left.
- A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
- A color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.
Step 2: Deliver your visa application documents to the Vietnam Embassy through post offices. You need to provide the recipient’s full name, a mailing address detailed with postal code, and a telephone/cellphone number in your application.
Step3: Make payments for the visa fee. You must pay in $US cash, $US bank draft payable to “The embassy of Vietnam” or fill in the credit card charge form.
Step 4: Once your application is approved, the actual visa will be sent to you by mail. FedEx and Canada Post are the 2 official services delivering your visa.
By email
For your convenience, applying through email is a great option. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the following required documents:
- A scanned copy of your passport with at least 06 months validity upon arrival in Vietnam; at least 1 blank page left.
- A visa application form. Also, you may fill out the online application form.
- A digital or scanned color photo of yourself professionally taken recently.
- A credit card charge form. Note that you will be automatically charged with a 3% credit card transaction fee of the total amount of the visa cost.
- Your mailing address in Canada with postal code and unit number (if any).
Step 2: Email your visa application to visa@vietnamembassy.ca with the recipient’s full name, a mailing address detailed with postal code, and a telephone/cellphone number in your application email.
Step 3: The visa will be sent to you by mail once your application is approved and proceeded.
Notes:
- A reference number will be given to you by a confirmation email when the application is received and processed by the embassy. The reference number helps you check your visa status online. Consider contacting the Embassy’s office if the confirmation email doesn’t arrive within 3 working days after sending your visa application.
- Multiple applicants applying to the embassy together in the same email can receive the visas in the same package.
Online
Applying for a Vietnam visa online is the most convenient and time-saving way in four simple steps.
Step 1: Fill the Vietnam visa online application form and upload a scanned copy of your passport and a visa photo.
Step 2: Make online payment for the visa fee.
Step 3: Have your visa delivered by FedEx and Canada Post after 5-7 working days.
Notes: Don't forget to check out information about Vietnam visa renewal and extension in case you wish to extend the validity of your current Vietnam visa.
What are the fees of applying for a Vietnam visa in Canada?
The tourist visa fee for Canadian is listed as follow:
- 1-month single-entry visa: $19
- 1-month multiple-entry visa: $24
- 3-month single-entry visa: $45
- 3-month multiple-entry visa: $55
For detailed information on the fees for other types of visa, visit our Vietnam visa fee page.
Apart from the visa application cost, an additional 3% transaction fee of the total amount will be charged to you automatically when making credit card payments.
Once authorized, you will receive your actual visa by mail with a shipping fee charged as follow:
- Canada Post: The shipping fee is $25 per package with delivery time within 2-5 working days.
- FedEx: The shipping fee $35 per package, and your visa is shipped on the next business day.
Additional shipping cost is charged in remote areas for both services.
Notes: FedEx service is recommended for urgent documents delivery due to Canada Post occasional delay in delivery.
How can a Canadian citizen obtain a Vietnam visa while living in a country/region with no Vietnamese embassies?
If you happen to live in a country/region that doesn’t have any Vietnam Embassies, the possible choices are applying for a Vietnam Visa On Arrival or E-visa. Applying for the e-visa is not included in the Vietnam Embassy in Canada’s responsibility. It is in the authority of the Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam. So neither you have been familiar with the e-visa procedure nor have a representative who also has the experience to help you with the application process, it can cost you time and money to obtain the visa.
Visa2Asia hasn’t had the e-visa service, but we have experience in getting many of our clients to obtain the Vietnam visa upon arrival. A team with a deep understanding of Vietnam Law, culture, and customs can help you to get the approval letter for the visa on arrival. It won’t take you much time and money. Call us or apply instantly!
Applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival
Vietnam Visa on arrival (VOA) is a special method allowing you to get a qualified visa at the arrival airport upon entry into Vietnam. VVOA is a much more convenient and time-saving way to obtain a visa than regular processes since most steps are carried out at the airport of entry.
Click here for more details about applying for a Vietnam visa on arrival.
COVID-19 updates
To battle the complicated COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Vietnam has taken all necessary measures including:
- Cancelation of visa issuing and visa exemption to all foreign citizens from March 18, 2020 until further notices.
- Temporary halt in all foreigners entering Vietnam from March 22, 2020 until further notices.
Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases have been reported in a few regions in the North of Vietnam since the beginning of 2021. Therefore, the Vietnam Government has put those virus-affected regions under strict control to prevent the spreading of the virus within the country.
Once the pandemic is under control, Vietnam will reopen and welcome visitors around the world again. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, check out Visa2Asia for more information on Vietnam visa services.
Vietnam Visa Exemption: How To Enter Vietnam Without A Visa
In the 90s, the Vietnam Government started establishing agreements of visa exemption with several neighboring countries. Since then, Vietnam has continued with many other nations around the world.
The visa exemption policy not only gives Vietnam the benefit of diplomacy but also boosts the economy of Vietnam through foreign investments. This article will provide you with up to date insights about Vietnam Visa Exemption.
What is Vietnam Visa Exemption?
Vietnam visa exemption, also known as the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption, allows you to enter Vietnam without a visa for a certain period of time. While the visa exemption period is still valid, you are not required to pay for the visa application fee.
All Vietnamese residing abroad, and foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese overseas, or citizens of Vietnam are eligible for a Vietnam visa exemption.
When you enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you can stay for a specific period of time per entry. However, your temporary duration can be extended.
Notes:
- If you enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 180 days (6 months) per visit.
- If you wish to stay longer than 180 days, you can extend the duration of stay in Vietnam for a maximum period of another 180 days.
Conditions for Vietnam Visa Exemption
To be eligible for Vietnam Visa Exemption, you are required to:
- Hold a passport or equivalent travel document that is valid for at least 1 year up to the date of entry into Vietnam.
- Have documents proving you are a Vietnamese residing abroad, or a spouse or a child of Vietnamese overseas, or Vietnamese citizens.
- Not fall into one of the specified cases in Article 21 or Article 28 of the Law on entry, exit, transits residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
Which foreign citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa?
Currently, the Vietnam Government has agreed to let citizens from 88 countries be exempted from visas when entering Vietnam. However, not all passport holders from those countries are exempted from the Vietnam visa. The exemption will be based on the type of passport.
For example, if you are from India, you must hold an Indian diplomatic/official passport to be exempted from Vietnam Visas. As for regular passport holders, Vietnam has only made the visa exemption agreement with 24 countries. For more details, check out this list.
To be eligible for the Vietnam visa exemption, you are required to apply for a Certificate of Vietnam Visa Exemption. There are two cases of Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate:
- People who are not required to have a certificate of Vietnam Visa Exemption.
- People who need one to enter Vietnam under visa exemption.
If your nationality is listed in the 88 countries that are exempted from a Vietnam visa, and you hold a diplomatic passport, then you will fall into the first case.
In case of being required to own a Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate, you have to either be:
- A Vietnamese residing abroad.
- A wife/husband/daughter/son of a Vietnamese residing abroad, or a Vietnamese citizen.
What cases cannot enter Vietnam on visa exemption?
According to Article 21 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam, to enter Vietnam under visa exemption, you must not fall into one of the following cases of being banned or suspended from entering Vietnam:
- Not meeting the regulations of Article 20, Section 1 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
- Children under 14 years old entering Vietnam without parents or legal guardians.
- Forging documents, and giving misleading information when applying for visas.
- Persons suffering from mental illnesses or infectious diseases that endanger public health.
- Expelled from Vietnam less than 3 years since the effective date of the expulsion decision made by Vietnam authorities.
- Forced to exit Vietnam less than 6 months since the effective date of the decision.
- Due to the prevention and control of a pandemic.
- Due to natural disaster reasons.
- Due to national defense, social security, and special safety reasons.
What is the maximum validity period of the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?
As stated in Article 4 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam, the maximum validity period of the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is 5 years.
However, the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is valid for 6 months less than the expiration date of your passport/travel document, if your passport/travel document’s validity is less than 5 years by the submission time for Vietnam visa exemption. Having said that, you can still apply for a 5-year Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate but only for special prescribed cases.
What are the official forms of the Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate?
The Vietnam Government has officially issued 2 forms of the visa exemption certificate:
1) The stamped certificate which is sticked on the holder’s passport. This visa exemption form is granted to Vietnamese overseas and foreigners entering Vietnam.
2) The separate certificate in booklet form about the size of a passport. This visa exemption form is granted to Vietnamese overseas with permanent residence issued by the foreign country of residence, and citizens from nations that don’t establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
What are the required documents to apply for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?
In order to apply for a Vietnam visa exemption, you have to go to one of the Vietnam Embassies to apply for one or send the required documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam. You need to prepare one set of the following documents:
To Vietnamese that is living overseas:
- Your valid passport or equivalent travel paper or residence permit issued by the authorities of your country of residence.
- A Vietnam Visa Exemption application form.
- Two 2×2 inches or 4×6 cm photos taken recently.
- Documents issued by the Vietnam Government proving that you are eligible for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate. (Article 6 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam).
- One certified copy or original version of one of these following papers:
- Birth certification
- Proof of abandonment of Vietnamese citizenship
- Certificate of loss Vietnamese citizenship
- Proof of Vietnamese origin or valid documents proving your previous Vietnamese nationality
To the spouse or child of a Vietnamese who is living overseas or a citizen of Vietnam:
- Your valid passport or equivalent travel paper.
- A Vietnam Visa Exemption application form.
- Two 2×2 inches (or 4×6 cm) photos taken recently.
- Documents proving you are a foreign spouse or child of Vietnamese overseas or Vietnamese citizens.
How to extend the temporary for foreign citizens who have the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate?
If you are eligible for the Vietnam visa exemption but fall into one of the cases that need a Vietnam Visa Exemption certificate, the temporary duration is stated on the certificate. The duration can be extended for 6 more months. To extend the temporary duration, you must prepare a set of the following required documents:
- A valid passport or equivalent document.
- A temporary residence extension application form.
- The Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate.
If you have any concern regarding the extension procedures, you can contact directly to the Vietnam Immigration Department to ask for guidance:
- Headquarter of The Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi:
- 02438260922 (For overseas Vietnamese).
- 02438264026 (For other foreigners).
- Representative office of The Vietnam Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City
- 0839201701 (For overseas Vietnamese).
- 039200365 (For other foreigners).
What are the required documents to apply for the Vietnam Visa Exemption Renewal?
If your Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate is lost, ruined, expired, or required adjustment, you can apply for a Vietnam Visa Exemption Renewal.
In case of renewing the certificate at the same place where you first applied (the same Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam Immigration Department), you just need to fill in an application form. There is no need to submit any other documents because your information has been stored from last time.
For renewing at a different embassy or a different Vietnam Immigration Department in Vietnam, you must prepare a new set of documents according to Article 9, Section 2 of the Law on Immigration and Residence of foreigners in Vietnam. Make sure to prepare the following documents:
- A valid passport or equivalent traveling papers.
- An application form for renewing the visa exemption certificate plus two 2×2 inches (4×6 cm) photos.
- The visa exemption certificate or a legal paper to prove that you have lost the certificate.
- If you want to change some information on the visa exemption certificate, you must have a certified copy of legal papers in which stated the changing information (you can bring along the original legal papers).
Automatic extension of temporary residence in Vietnam under visa exemption during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2020, during the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnam Government has limited foreigners entering Vietnam. Those who had entered Vietnam before and on March 1st, 2020 were automatically allowed to continue to stay in Vietnam until June 30th, 2020. During this time, the temporary duration was “automatically extended”, and foreigners only had to report their stay and medical condition.
There hasn’t been any announcement about extending the duration of temporary residence in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. As long as there are updates, we will inform you immediately. Visit Visa2Asia to not miss a thing.
What to know more about Vietnam Visa Exemption?
- Holders of British National Oversea (BNO) passports are not exempted from any Vietnam visa. In this case, you must obtain a valid visa to enter Vietnam.
- If you own a valid foreign passport, you can enter Phu Quoc island under visa exemption for a maximum of 30 days. This is also applicable to the case where you have to transit through other international airports in Vietnam before entering Phu Quoc island.
- If you are from the 13 countries that only have the unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, you are exempted from visa requirements upon entry into Vietnam for a duration of stay not exceeding 15 days per entry.
- If you hold an ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card), you are allowed to stay in Vietnam without a valid visa for a maximum duration of 90 days per entry.
What to do if you aren’t exempted from Vietnam Visas?
Not qualified for the Vietnam visa exemption? Visa2Asia is here to help you get a Vietnam visa easily and quickly in accordance with your traveling purpose. We also offer visa on arrival (VOA) services so that you can get your visa at the arrival airport. Contact us and apply now!
Hue: Lost In The Everlasting Beauty Of The Historic City
Have you ever heard of Hue, an angelic ancient city in the heart of Vietnam?
If you are a history and culture admirer, you’re going to love Vietnam. And once you fall for Vietnam, you will love Hue.
Hue is not a destination for a quick glance. It takes some time to settle in and fully appreciate the timeless value of this oddly angelic city. Find out how the ageless beauty of Hue will open your mind to the triumphant history of Vietnam.
Hue in a glance
Traveling to Hue is like hopping on a time machine and going back to Vietnam hundreds of years ago.
Hue is the former capital of Vietnam that sits peacefully on a plain in Thua Thien Hue province about 126 km (78 miles) north of Hoi An. Home to the romantic Huong river (Perfume river) crossing through the city’s heart, it is one of the three must-visit wonders of Central Vietnam – Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue.
Words can barely describe the hidden value of Hue. Showcasing various historic national gems and mystical cultural traits, the charming city is a gentle epicenter of Vietnamese culture and history.
Not to mention the irresistible bevy of utterly scrumptious dishes exclusively created by Hue locals. From the legendary Hue beef noodle soup, flavorful clam rice, interesting savory cakes, to wacky sweet soup – they are the superstars of Hue cuisine that leans toward elegance.
The history of Hue
To every Vietnamese, the name Hue is bound to one of the most wars in modern history.
In 1802, Hue was made the national capital by the Nguyen dynasty. After the Nguyen dynasty collapsed in 1945 when the final Nguyen emperor – Bao Dai – abdicated the throne, it began the darkest times of Vietnam’s old capital.
Due to its geographical nature and location, Hue was the most fierce combat zone during the dire Vietnam War. Affected by drastic bombing, many of its historic buildings suffered from heavy damages. It was the age of loss to Hue – loss of cultural heritage, and loss of lives as an inevitable result of war.
Despite all the tragedies, Hue slowly but surely regained its prospect when peace was finally restored in Vietnam. The majority of the historic sites carrying the rich tales were revived, making Hue the “remnant of the feudal regime” for tourism.
The beauty of Hue locals
Hue can’t be such an attractive and charming place without its lovely people. The Hue people have a gentle, sweet personality mixed with a little shyness, discreteness, and a captivating voice.
Traveling to Hue, you will be welcomed by the genuine friendliness of the people here. They always have a smile on their lips whenever they meet strangers, no matter where they come from. Whether you only come here once or many times, you will always feel the heartfelt warmth of Hue locals.
Best historic attractions in Hue
It is time you venture into the land of history. Let’s read on to see what Hue has in store!
Hue Imperial city – the cradle of Vietnamese history and culture
It is impossible not to spot the most well-known attraction of Hue. Standing majestically in the heart of Hue is the Imperial city, which was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty – Vietnam’s last royal family.
Facilitating hundreds of rooms, Hue Imperial city was built in 1805 and finished after nearly 30 years of construction. It showcases a beautiful moat full of koi fish encircling its fortified stone walls surrounding the emperor’s palace and temples. With the size of 520 hectares, the spectacular imperial city is just too vast to explore in one day.
Hue Imperial city stood the test of time and still preserves many outstanding architectural works. As a result, it won the honor of being recognized as World Cultural Heritage in 1993, which adds another reason why you will deeply regret not visiting this national treasure.
Below are the major highlights of Hue Imperial city you should have a look at.
Ngo Mon Gate – Meridian gate
There is no better way to start your Hue Imperial city tour by taking Instagram snaps of the massive three-story structure Meridian gate, the most tourist-capturing attraction of Hue Imperial city.
For over 180 years of the effects of time, Ngo Mon Gate still exists and stands firmly to this day to become a symbol of Hue. It is a rare testament to the ancient indigenous architectural art lasting for centuries.
Meridian Gate is the largest gate exclusively used by the royal family as the main entrance. It consists of 5 gates. The central gate with its golden doors was reserved only for the emperors. The two adjacent gates were for court officials, and the final two outer gates were for the servants.
Upstairs at the Meridian Gate is Lau Ngu Phung (Five Phoenix Pavilion) with its roofs decorated with sophisticated patterns. It is where the king sat during festivities. Why not get on the Five Phoenix Pavilion and experience what it’s like to be a ruler of Vietnam hundreds of years ago?
Hoang Thanh – Imperial Enclosure
Passing through the magnificent Ngo Mon Gate, what lies in front of you is a citadel-within-a-citadel named Imperial Enclosure, meaning Hoang Thanh.
Housing temples and palaces, It is the residence of the royal family, and also the workplace of the court. Also, the Imperial Castle of Hue is a place of worship for ancestors and kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Hoang Thanh used to be extremely enormous with 148 buildings. Due to heavy bombing, however, what is left today of Hue Imperial Enclosure is a fraction of its original with 20 buildings surviving from the war. Despite having lots of cracked tiling, masonry, and rubble, it is still highly sublime for a delightful stroll.
Tu Cam Thanh – The Forbidden Purple City
Passing the Imperial Enclosure is the innermost citadel, the Forbidden Purple City.
The Forbidden Purple City was for the royal family exclusively as well as being the workplace of the royal court. Its symmetry and picturesque design are credited with the strict following of Feung Shui principles that were applied during construction.
Tu Cam Thanh’s origin echoes back to an ancient folk tale. There was a place called Tu Vi Vien (meaning a purple garden), the palace of the gods in heaven. According to mythology, the king is the son of heaven, so the king's residence should also resemble the gods' home. And therefore, the Forbidden Purple city was built as the king’s private home where no ordinary citizen could enter.
Dien Thai Hoa – Palace of Supreme Harmony
When stepping into Hue Imperial city, you will wonder where is the place dedicated to special events only in the old dynasty. It is Dien Thai Hoa – the Palace of Supreme Harmony.
Constructed in 1805, Dien Thai Hoa is a powerful symbol of the Nguyen Dynasty and one of the most important landmarks of Hue Imperial city. The palace is the venue used for important occasions such as the coronation ceremony, the king's birthday, the welcome of the official envoy from nations, and the dynasty ritual celebration.
Standing at the center inside the grand palace, you can’t help but be dazzled by the stunning red lacquered wooden poles with astonishing emblems of golden dragons surrounding you. And the most striking attraction is the golden throne where the king sat and listened to the reports of court mandarins.
Though being decimated by the Vietnam war, Hue Imperial city's priceless historic and cultural values never fade away. The craters, rubbles, and small bullet holes left on its walls are the messages to the young generation to never take peace for granted.
It is not an exaggeration to say the Imperial city is the reason why hodophiles love Hue. So buckle up, get your Vietnam visa on arrival, fly to Hue and witness the gift from the past.
Note: There is an entry fee for Hue Imperial City. Highly recommended that you visit the ground in the morning to avoid unbearable heat at noon since there are not many shady spots within the Imperial city.
The royal tombs – where the last kings of Vietnam rest
The Imperial city of Hue has walked you through a broad picture of what it’s like to be the ruler of Vietnam's last royal family and the age of horrendous war. What is next? It would not be a bad idea to take a walk at Hue’s beautiful royal tombs.
When it comes to being the old capital of Vietnam, Hue has no shortage of burial sites for Emperors. Probably, you are wondering why you should check out the tombs of people who passed away long ago.
These are no ordinary tombs. They are the last resting place of the Vietnamese rulers during the Nguyen dynasty. Therefore, they were built with incredible effort to be as sacred and majestic as possible. These tombs surrounded by nature are some of the most visited attractions that can stir up the most awe and keenness.
To dig deeper into Vietnamese history and admire the consecrated beauty of traditional architecture, don’t miss the three most popular tombs below:
Minh Mang tomb
Sitting along the west bank of the Perfume River is the most ambitious royal tomb built during the Nguyen dynasty – Minh Mang tomb.
Minh Mang was the 2nd emperor of the Nguyen dynasty who ruled from 1820 to 1841. When he passed away, his son and 10,000 men decided to build his tomb which took two years to construct. It is 178062 square meters with 40 monuments and a stone wall that completely girdles this place, protecting it from outsiders.
This is one of the most visited tombs because of its classic Chinese architecture. Here you will be lost in the space between the four sides of the endless lines of trees and lotus pond. All create something that is both experimental and poetic.
Tu Duc tomb
Arguably, many travelers after visiting Tu Duc tomb will say without hesitation that this is the most beautiful tomb of Hue. But why?
Tu Duc is the dynamic fusion of fine architecture, which coexists and harmonizes with gorgeous nature. When you experience the serene atmosphere from the pond combined with greeneries, it is difficult to imagine anyone not enjoying this wonder. Maybe, the enchanting scenery of Tu Duc tomb was inspired by the artistic soul of Emperor Tu Duc.
Khai Dinh tomb
Let us take you to what possibly is the most interesting tomb in all of Hue – Khai Dinh’s tomb.
Sitting on Chau Chu mountain around 8.7 km (5.4 miles) from Hue city center, it is the resting place of Khai Dinh, the 12th ruler of the Nguyen dynasty. Having wives, concubines, and gambling problems as well as drug addictions, he was the most submissive emperor when it came to the French colonial rule. It was really tuberculosis that led to his demise after 9 years of ruling.
Khai Dinh tomb took 11 years to build. Modern French building materials namely cement, steel, and iron, combined with the traditional Vietnamese materials such as mortar and terracotta were used to create this masterpiece. Ironically, the resting site of one of the worst Vietnamese rulers is a fascinating attraction to visit.
Thien Mu pagoda – the pristine gem carrying a touching story
It is said that coming to Hue without visiting Thien Mu pagoda is considered a huge crime.
Lying on the lush Ha Khe hill, by the bank of the Perfume River, the pagoda attracts visitors by its unique history and charming beauty.
A symbol associated with the image of Thien Mu pagoda is the 7-story Phuoc Duyen tower. The 21 meters (69 feet) high tower, consisting of seven floors, was built in front of the pagoda. Each floor of the tower has a Buddha statue. Inside there is a spiral staircase leading to the top floor, where previously there was a golden Buddha statue.
Having existed for over 400 years, the iconic pagoda has been through all the ups and downs of Hue. The name Thien Mu is translated to “Heavenly Woman” or “Celestial Lady”. And it resembles the tale of the pagoda’s origin.
Legend tells that while lord Nguyen Hoang of the Nguyen empire was scavenging the vicinity of Hue, he overheard the locals whispering about an old celestial lady dressed in red and blue. She made a prophecy about a king who would visit the hill and erect a sacred pagoda to bring the country’s prosperity and well-being. Soon after that, she just vanished mysteriously.
Miraculously, the old lady’s words came true. Lord Nguyen Hoang soon after hearing the story ordered the construction of the pagoda and named it after the lady. And through the dust of time, it did, does, and will always bring peace to the land of Vietnam.
Thien Mu pagoda is also the keeping place of an infamous piece of Vietnam’s modern history. It is an old blue Austin A59 Westminster lying quietly in a solitary realm. You will probably be a little shocked, but at the same time touched by the story behind this once luxurious car in Vietnam.
On June 11th, 1963, the blue car took a Vietnamese monk called Thich Quang Duc to a busy intersection in old Saigon. He calmly got out of the car, then sat down in the meditative lotus position on the road. Everyone on the street had no idea what he was about to do until the other two monks came out from the car and started pouring gasoline on him. He was going to perform self-immolation.
When Thich Quang Duc dropped the match, he became a human torch. However, he remained incredibly still. No expression of pain was spotted on his face.
It was an act of protest against the cruelty of the Diem government. And his action spoke louder than any word. Many witnesses, including some anti-protest police, broke down and cried for his sacrifice. The car carrying his soul is well-preserved at Thien Mu pagoda till today to honor him as a symbol of peace.
Must-visit destinations around Hue
How Cheap Is Traveling In Ho Chi Minh City For A Week?
Vietnam is without a doubt one of the cheapest countries in the world. And Ho Chi Minh city, an incredibly vibrant city sitting on the southern tip of Vietnam, is just as affordable.
With roughly $60 a day, you can travel like a king in the largest city of Vietnam. Then imagine how much fun you can experience on a full-week trip to Saigon. From accommodation, transportation, to delicious food and fun-filled activities, everything simply couldn’t be more budget-friendly.
Buckle up, get your Vietnam visa on arrival and unravel how cheap Ho Chi Minh city is.
Ho Chi Minh city accommodation cost
You’ll be shocked by how inexpensive hostels and hotels can be in Ho Chi Minh city. If you are not into luxury, there are endless options for shoestring budget accommodations.
The average cost for budget shelters ranges from $7- $15 per night. Here’s a breakdown of dirt-cheap Saigon’s accommodation.
Hostel prices
There are tons of cheap hostels in the city. Generally, a night in a room with 4-8 people stands around $7 to $12. You can opt for private rooms that run you from 20 bucks for better comfort. Most of the budget hostels offer free wifi and breakfast.
Check out some of these low-cost but cool hostels to stay:
1. The Dorm Saigon
Address: 63 Dong Du Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $11/night
2. The Hideout Hostel Saigon
Address: 275-279 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Price: $12/night
3. Language Exchange Hostel
Address: 399/43/5 Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, District. 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Price: $7/night
4. Kha Hostel & Cafe
Address: Alley 261, Tran Hung Dao street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Price: $13/night
Budget hotel prices
Low-priced hotels can be found anywhere in Ho Chi Minh. Hotel prices tend to stay consistent all year despite different seasons. Typical 3-star hotels will only cost you from $12 to $25 with a flat-screen TV, free wifi, free coffee – all included. Highly recommend that you go for the hotels in the city center, District. 1, to immerse in the lit nightlife vibe.
Here’s a list of Ho Chi Minh’s must-stay budget hotels:
1. Blue River Hotel
Address: 283/2C Pham Ngu Lao Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $17-20/night
2. Tripwriter Hotel & Bistro
Address: 185/28 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $20/night
3. Chillbox Saigon
Address: 61A, Nguyen Trai Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $11/night
4. Cozy House 140
Address: 140 Cong Quynh Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $17/night
5. Sunrise Central Hotel
Address: 137 Ly Tu Trong Street, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh city
Price: $14/night
Ho Chi Minh city transportation cost
You have settled down in a budget-friendly accommodation, it is time to explore around. Getting around Ho Chi Minh city is super cheap and easy, which generally costs you $7 to $11 per day. Aim for these 3 cheapest means of transportation.
Bus
Taking a bus is the most affordable way to reach every remarkable highlight of the city. With over 100 bus routes, the fare starts at VND 5,000 ($0.22) for an under 15km (9.3 miles) journey. Remember that you need to pay in cash when hopping on the bus.
Note that buses are suitable for long-distance travel only. And you might not want to miss a delightful trip around the city center's best attraction on an open-top Hop On Hop Off bus with free wifi starting from $7 only.
Motorcycle
Are you a big fan of driving by yourself to discover the city? A motorbike is the best option. You can rent a bike for just $5 to $6 per day and drive to anywhere you want. You are only required to have a driving license.
Grab
One of the must-know Vietnam travel tips is to book a Grab that whisks you off to anywhere in the city for your best convenience.
Grab is the Uber of Vietnam and it is way more affordable than a taxi. Download the Grab app, and hire a local to take you on a delightful trip to the War Museum for example. The fare is VND 12,000 ($0.5) for the first 2 km(1.2 miles), then adding VND 3,400 ($0.15) for each next kilometer.
Ho Chi Minh city food cost
Cooking meals while traveling can save you a few bucks. But why waste time cooking your own meals when Ho Chi Minh city offers a diversity of affordable scrumptious Vietnamese dishes. We guarantee the food is too tasty to miss. And you only have to spend around $5 to $10 a day to feed your tummy.
Delicious street food for under $1
One of the best things to do in Vietnam’s biggest city is reveling in street food. At any corner, you will find plenty of tiny stalls with plastic stools placed around serving hard-to-resist local delicacies to feast all day.
With just one dollar, blast off for these mouth-watering Saigonese food that will satisfy your protesting hunger:
Banh Mi – Vietnamese baguette
Why does Banh Mi sound oddly familiar? Yes, you have heard and seen it in countless world-famous food magazines.
If you haven’t tried the crispy Vietnamese baguette, you haven’t truly immersed in Vietnamese cuisine. Words can barely describe the taste and the vitalness of Banh Mi to Vietnamese people. Starting from VND 10,000 ($0.45), you can splurge on the king of Vietnamese cuisine that has traveled far and deep to continents around the world.
Goi Cuon – Vietnamese spring rolls
Renowned as a simple delicacy made from fresh ingredients, Vietnamese spring rolls are subtle street offerings to take on in Saigon.
The rolls are greens, slices of pork, shrimps, and vermicelli noodles wrapped in thin rice paper. Dip them in the rich hoisin-based sauce topped with crushed peanuts, you will feel a deep savory flavor assaulting your taste buds.
And guess what? One decent Vietnamese spring roll only costs you VND 5,000 ($0.22).
Bap Xao – stir fried corn
Bap Xao, another extremely simple dish for under $1 widely loved not only by Saigonese but also tourists. Stir-fried corn attracts diners by its pleasant fatty flavor of corn fried with butter, dried shrimp, and a little greens. Bap Xao clearly shows how creative Vietnamese can get with extremely simple ingredients.
Bot Chien – fried rice flour cake
It is not hard to find mini stalls selling Bot Chien – one of the most loved street foods by Saigonese originated from Chinese cuisine. It features little cubes of rice flour fried till golden brown, then eggs, scallions, and local seasoning are added in.
The smell is delightful. And the flour rice tastes extra crispy and chewy. Take out nearly $1 (VND 20,000) and you will be dazzled by the fun texture of fried rice flour cake that results in an explosive flavor in your mouth.
Pha Lau – offal stew
Are you tempted by something exotic? The streets of Saigon will introduce you to Vietnamese offal stew, one of the most renowned Vietnamese weird food.
The exotic dish features animal intestines from cows, ducks, or pigs cooked in extra rich and creamy orange broth. A dollar in exchange for a huge bowl of nice-looking and delicious offal stew with crunchy baguettes to dip in is worth every single penny.
Banh Trang Tron – mixed rice paper salad
Not mentioning Banh Trang Tron in the list of Saigon’s 1$ street snacks is a huge mistake. Mixed rice paper salad comprises rice paper, sliced mango, dried shrimp, boiled quail eggs, and herbs seasoned with salt, chili, and lime juice. Sour, sweet, spicy, and salty flavors – all mingle in one extraordinary treat. For street food lovers, that’s heaven on a plate.
Chuoi Nep Nuong – grilled banana sticky rice
Chuoi Nep Nuong will change everything you know about bananas.
Saigonese never ceases to amaze foodies worldwide with their limitless creativity in desserts. Give them some fresh bananas, sticky rice, and coconut milk – they will blow your mind away with an out-of-this-world twist sweet treat.
A decent portion of Chuoi Nep Nuong is only from VND 17,000 ($0.73). Grilled banana sticky rice is arguably the most fascinating sweet treat you will ever have in Vietnam.
Ca Phe Sua Da – Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk
You can try any mouth-watering street food, but you will deeply regret forgetting to taste Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk in Saigon.
Ca Phe Sua Da is famed for its thick, heavy brews sweetened with condensed milk. Unlike the majority of the world, Vietnamese enjoy sipping a cup of Ca Phe Sua Da made from Robusta bean, which boasts a sharper taste and higher caffeine content. It is an extraordinary specialty that will dazzle every coffee addict around the world trying it for the first time.
To truly immerse yourself in the Vietnamese coffee culture, you must drink it the Vietnamese way. It is simple. Just sit on benches at a park and sip delicious cold-brewed coffee mixed with rich condensed milk with your fellows. It is a perfect refreshment from the sun-baked heat that only costs VND 10,000 (0.45$).
Ho Chi Minh city shopping cost
From giant shopping malls to various markets scattered across Ho Chi Minh city, you will be overwhelmed by endless cool things to splurge on.
To have a great local experience, why not take your wallets out for niche items such as fascinating souvenirs, local handicrafts, and unique pieces of art. Check out Ben Thanh market, An Dong market, or Dong Khoi street to bring some beautiful pieces of Saigon memory back home.
Depending on how many items you purchase, the shopping cost varies at nearly $30 a day. A soft reminder that when shopping in Vietnam, your bargaining skills will come in handy. So practice it well before you make any purchase in the S-shaped country.
Ho Chi Minh city leisure activities cost
You have found a comfy budget place to rest at night and enjoyed insanely cheap but tasty street treats, the final piece of a perfect Saigon getaway are fun-filled activities.
Ho Chi Minh city has an irrepressible soul and entrepreneurial energy that hums day and night. The largest city of Vietnam never lacks things to explore. And they are super budget-friendly.
Party at Bui Vien street (from 0.5$)
You can never have a complete Saigon experience without immersing in the lavishing nightlife at Bui Vien street. It is renowned as Saigon's most popping party street offering countless nightclubs, bars, and pubs.
Bui Vien street never sleeps and so do the party souls gathering there for an up-all-night party. From $0.5, you can notoriously drink all night long and rock your body till the sun rises.
Take a tour at Ho Chi Minh City Museum ($1.5)
Take a tour at Ho Chi Minh City Museum (also known as Gia Long palace). It offers a marvelous insight into the way the city has changed over the years. The ticket price is just $1.5 and it is free for children, this might be the cheapest museum to visit.
Travel back to Vietnam history at the War Remnants Museum ($2)
The powerful War Remnants Museum travels further back to Vietnam history. It is a shocking display of the brutal Vietnam War far from being forgotten.
Costing VND 40,000 ($1.7) for the entrance fee, the War Remnants Museum is a must-visit site to better understand one of the most controversial conflicts in the 20th century. You will find massive tanks, helicopters with rocket launchers, and photos capturing the brutality of drastic war. As a confronting reminder of the horrors of war, the museum may touch your feelings deeply.
Explore the Independence Palace ($2.8)
An iconic attraction of Ho Chi Minh city not to miss is the Independence Palace, another symbol from the dark days of Vietnam. The palace dates back to when the North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates in 1975 which signaled the end of the world’s first televised war.
With the ticket price at VND 65,000 ($2.8), you can get to the palace’s rooftop from which the last evacuation took place. And don’t forget to drop by the telecommunications room which has remained untouched since that fateful day.
Watch over Ho Chi Minh at the Bitexco Tower ($10)
It is a crime not to take a trip up the modern symbol of Ho Chi Minh city, the 68 stories Bitexco Tower.
Escape the heat of Vietnam and enjoy 360-degree views from the ultra-modern Saigon Skydeck is exhilarating, seriously. Compared to the attractions above, this place is the most expensive to visit since it costs $10 per adult, but it is still really inexpensive for a fantastic panoramic view of the vast Southern Vietnam city.
Have a look at Saigon Central Post Office ($0)
One of the city’s most grateful pieces of architecture, the Saigon Central Post Office that is still in operation today, is worth checking out. It is completely free to tour around the oldest post office in Vietnam.
Crawl Cu Chi tunnels ($1.5)
Ho Chi Minh isn’t just the city of excitement, it is full of history. And there is no better place in Saigon to unfold what it’s like to be a Vietnamese veteran than Cu Chi Tunnels.
It is a remarkable piece of Vietnam's glorious history. Evidence shows that it wasn’t until 1946 that the Vietnamese soldiers began to build Cu Chi Tunnels to hide from drastic bombing and store weapons during the Vietnam War.
What is there to see at Cu Chi Tunnels? You will get to crawl into the vast complex secret tunnel system. The whole experience can be summed up as crawling through 20 years of war in Saigon. The ticket price for a half-day tour is only VND 35,000 ($1.5) for adults, which is why this is one of the most-visited historic wonders of Vietnam.
Make your way to Saigon now
You won’t run out of things to experience in Ho Chi Minh city. And the best part is almost all of its enthralling activities are so inexpensive. Anyone can have an epic Saigon trip for one week on a thin budget. Without a doubt, the largest city of Vietnam sends a clear message that seeking unbridled joy does not cost you a fortune.
Vietnam Travel Updates And Restrictions For COVID-19 In April 2021
As the COVID-19 is not yet fully contained around the world, Vietnam is still making tremendous efforts to maintain the country’s status as one of the safest nations in the world from the pandemic. To deal with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and prepare for the gradual recovery of tourism and aviation sectors, Vietnam’s government has imposed entry restrictions on foreign citizens and anti-pandemic prevention measures, which can be altered at any time.
Let’s check out some major latest updates on vaccination, visa issuance, immigration restrictions, and international flight restoration plans in Vietnam.
Vietnam still suspends visa issuance for foreigners
In response to the COVID-19 situation, the Government of Vietnam has ceased the issuance of visas including Vietnam landing visa for all international citizens who wish to enter Vietnam from March 18th, 2020 until further notice.
Vietnam continues entry restriction for foreigners
The Vietnamese government has halted entry for all foreign citizens since March 18th, 2020. Foreigners with a visa exemption certificate are included in this entry restriction. Those who wish to come to Vietnam for family reunification are also restricted from entering Vietnam.
However, not everyone is suspended from entering Vietnam in this period. Foreigners who are exempted from Vietnam's current entry restriction must fall into the following categories: business managers, experts, international investors, and high-tech professionals involved in vital projects determined by the Government of Vietnam.
All foreigners allowed to enter Vietnam are required to follow the 14-day quarantine protocol as well as the 28-day health surveillance.
Diplomats, business managers, foreign investors, experts, high-tech workers involved in crucial projects determined by the Government of Vietnam entering the country for an under 14-day short business trip are not required to undergo the mandatory quarantine for 14 days. However, they must adhere to compulsory health measures and strictly stick to their itinerary during their trip.
Reports on COVID-19 cases in Vietnam
As of April 1st, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed 2,603 cases of COVID-19 in total, in which 2,359 infected patients have recovered and have been allowed to exit hospitals. Vietnam has recorded 35 fatal cases from COVID-19 according to the most recent reports. All of the latest infected patients were quarantined upon their arrival in Vietnam
Updates on COVID-19 vaccinations in Vietnam
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Health report on April 1st, 2021, over 50,000 Vietnamese people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Those who suffered from the coronavirus vaccine’s severe side-effects are all in stable condition currently.
The latest research on the pre-clinical stage, clinical trials at different stages of the three coronavirus vaccines developed by Vietnam have all shown positive and promising results. The National Steering Committee for prevention and control of the coronavirus hoped that by the end of the third quarter of September 2021, the country will successfully produce the first “made in Vietnam” COVID-19 vaccine.
Consideration on “vaccine passport” implementation in Vietnam
Regarding the issue of “vaccine passports” acceptant reported on April 1st, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is still in process of coming up with an adequate plan to allow holders of vaccine passports to enter Vietnam legally.
Vietnam’s tourism and economic experts believe “vaccine passports” is the key to the country’s complete reopening of the tourism industry. An appropriate quarantine plan for people entering the country who have had enough doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed is suggested as a priority due to the potential risk of community infection.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has also ordered the Ministry of Health in Vietnam and relevant officials to map out necessary solutions to face any possible scenarios regarding the future issuance of “vaccine passports”. Until further notice, this type of passport is not yet accepted as legal travel documents to enter Vietnam.
Vietnam “automatic stay extension” policy due to COVID-19
As stated by the Vietnam Immigration Department, international citizens who entered Vietnam with e-visas, tourist visas, or visa exemption on or after March 1st, 2020 are qualified for automatic stay extension until March 31st, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foreigners who arrived in Vietnam before March 1st, 2020 can be permitted for the same policy of automatic stay extension until March 31st, 2021 if they have either of the following documents:
- A certification (with Vietnamese translation) from relevant diplomatic missions proving that you are stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19.
- A written document from official Vietnam authorities confirming that they have to undergo a compulsory quarantine or treatment for COVID-19.
Note: During the automatic stay extension period, international citizens are obligated to complete the temporary residence and health declaration.
Vietnam international flights roadmap proposal
On March 31st, 2021, the representative of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam announced the official proposal for reopening international commercial flight routes which comprises three phases.
Phase one: The first phase is to restore package flights for all Vietnamese citizens living abroad who want to fly back to the country. At this stage, airlines operating in Vietnam will incorporate travel agencies, diplomatic missions, and local authorities to deploy the package flights. They will cover the cost of flight tickets, Covid-19 testing, quarantine at hotels, food for 15 days, and transportation delivering passengers to the quarantine spot.
Phase two: In phase two, starting from July 2021, Vietnam Aviation Administration will organize regular international flights for foreign citizens. Passengers are quarantined upon entry to Vietnam applied for both Vietnamese and foreigners.
Vietnam is expected to restore flight routes to Asian countries namely Japan, Korea, Taiwan (China) with an estimation of 4 flights per week for each of the airlines of these countries. It is expected that there will be 24 flights each week from the listed countries carrying around 6,000 to 7,000 passengers required to undergo quarantine.
Phase three: The final phase is expected to be executed from September 2021, depending on the vaccination progress in Vietnam and the world. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam will launch regular international flights to Vietnam that do not require obligatory quarantine after the implementation of “vaccine passports”. The flight routes in this period are deployed between countries and territories that accept the vaccines that Vietnam has announced acceptant.
The number of flights is estimated to reach 7 flights per week for each country's airline. Hence, passengers will not be mandated to comply with the quarantine policy if they were tested negative for the coronavirus, or have an international COVID-19 vaccination certificate accepted by Vietnamese officials.
Vietnam will soon reopen to the world
With the government’s thorough anti-coronavirus prevention measure, steady progression on COVID-19 vaccination, and proper aviation recovery roadmap, Vietnam will restore to a dreaming destination for all foreigners in no time. When that day happens, don’t hesitate to get your visa on arrival with Visa2Asia.
SOURCE:
Vietnam Travel Updates And Restrictions For COVID-19 In April 2021
Vietnam's Most Bizarre Dishes That Give You Goosebumps P.1
When it comes to food, Vietnamese cuisine never ceases to attract scores of patrons with some of the best tasty treats.
Besides mouthwatering delights, Vietnamese cuisine also boasts some of the world’s weirdest foods that will give you serious goosebumps. From rare street snacks, spooky bugs, fresh animal organs to a beating heart of a deadly snake. You name it, Vietnam’s got it. Can’t wait to fly to Vietnam for your culinary passion? Visa2Asia is here to support you get a Vietnam tourist visa on arrival quickly and easily.
So are you brave enough to devour these exotic hidden culinary offerings that even the local foodies haven’t dared to try? Let’s dig in!
Vietnamese offal stew (Phá lấu) – the most exotic Asian stew
Let’s warm up with something light.
Speaking of Vietnamese street food, Phá lấu is always on top of the list. Phá lấu – also known as Vietnamese offal stew – is a popular Vietnamese street treat traditionally made from cow, pig, or duck organs. This delicacy best highlights the Vietnamese attitude to food: nothing goes to waste. Every part of an animal is utilized.
The animal’s offal parts such as lungs, intestines, and livers are first carefully washed with salted water, then boiled with ginger to get rid of the organ’s awful smell. Next, they are stewed in a special authentic spice blend. The broth is rendered with coconut milk for richness. Annatto powder is indispensable since it gives the dish its signature red and orange tone.
Offal stew is best enjoyed with Vietnamese bread (Banh mi). Some eateries also serve it with instant noodles. Visually, the dish may not look so appetizing. However, the flavor is unreal. Different animals come in different flavors. In general, the soup is rich, well-seasoned, and pretty creamy with a pleasant odor. The long-shimmered organs, cooked to perfection, are extremely juicy, and chewy. There is an additional dipping sauce that adds a pungent relish.
Whether it is cow, pig, or duck, all taste amazing. Definitely a must-try!
You can get Vietnamese offal stew at any corner in every city. According to local food enthusiasts, the best Phá lấu is found in Ho Chi Minh city, with these three best Pha Lau eateries:
- Phá Lấu Cô Oanh (Oanh’s offal stew) – 200/48 Xom Chieu street, District 4
- Dì Núi (Aunt Nui) – 243/30 Ton Dan street, District 4
- Unnamed duck offal stew eatery – 150 Bui Minh Truc street, District 8
Fried crickets (Dế chiên) – a must-try in your adventurous eating
Insect – it is not what most people would invite someone for a meal. The idea of making these six-legged creatures as dishes is frightening, except for bugs-eating enthusiasts.
But in Vietnam, and other parts of Asia, insects are a fantastic ingredient for scrumptious treats, for those who are brave enough to try. The most common insect used in the odd side of Vietnamese cuisine is cricket.
With the ingenuity and creativity of Vietnamese, there are dozens of unique delicacies made from crickets. One of the most iconic dishes from these tiny insects is fried crickets.
Crickets are seasoned with salt, pepper, and other strong seasonings, then fried in hot oil, along with minced pork and lime leaves. The flavor of crickets is quite similar to shrimp or crab, but much more crunchy and chewy. With the strong seasoning as an enhancement, it turns out that fried crickets taste amazing.
Studies have shown that crickets are an excellent source of nutrients, providing protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. It is also believed that eating crickets can cure rheumatism and obesity. So if you are new to creepy crawling insects, crickets are the perfect start! It can be daunting at first, but you may get addicted after one bite.
Because crickets are getting more popular and much loved in Vietnam, you can find them at many food vendors. Some restaurants also offer a diversity of cricket dishes. Check out these suggestions:
- De Sua Rec Rec restaurant (Rec Rec Crickets) – 47, 7 street, District. 2, Ho Chi Minh city.
- Bo Cap Lua restaurant – 17D, 11 street, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh city.
- Linh Duong Tuu Quan restaurant – 21, Ton That Tung street, Dong Da District, Ha Noi.
- Phuong Nam – 1, Mo Lao street, Ha Dong District, Ha Noi.
Sandworm pancake (Chả rươi) – the world’s most peculiar pancake
Tired of conventional pancakes with bacon or fruits? How about tasting a more strange version – pancakes made with sandworms?
Sandworms are a local specialty of Hai Duong province in Northern Vietnam. The sandworms are raised in ponds just like shrimps in agricultural areas. These little creatures are super rich in protein. Normally, vendors would cook the dish using frozen sandworms. However, to taste the best of sandworm pancakes, you should get them at eateries cooking with fresh raw worms.
The sandworms are not premixed in the batter. The chef will put some batter on the pan heavy in hot oil. Then, the raw worms are put right on top of the cooking batter. Watching the sandworms moving in the pan while being cooked will excite you to crave the dish even more. With the nice crunchy texture combined with the savory taste, you will be shocked by how delicious this street snack is. It is the best unique way to get some protein in your diet but also still be able to enjoy delicious pancakes.
The most popular eating venues serving sandworm pancakes are in Ha Noi. Here are the top five recommended places:
- Cha Ruoi Hung Thinh – 1 Hang Chieu street, Hoan Kiem District
- Cha Ruoi Gia Ngu – 25 Gia Ngu street, Hoan Kiem District
- Cha Ruoi Duong Thanh – 16B Duong Thanh street, Hoan Kiem District
- Cha Ruoi Hang Beo – 244 Lo Duc street, Hai Ba Trung District
- Cha Ruoi Doc Hoe Nhai – 19 Doc Hoe Nhai street, Ba Dinh District
Horse meat hotpot (Thắng Cố) – the Vietnamese way of feasting horses
Sapa, located in Lao Cai province, is favored by nature with miraculous natural beauty with dreamy fields twining along majestic mountains. The popular trekking destination in Northwestern Vietnam also welcomes explorers with succulent indigenous cuisine. And to truly eat in the Sapa way, you can not miss Thang Co – Horse meat hot pot, Sapa’s most popular ethnic outlandish offering.
It’s a traditional creation of H’Mong hill tribes that appeared in the Vietnamese cuisine map over 200 years ago. Horse meat, the star of the dish, is still considered a controversial type of meat in many parts of the world. Other animals including buffalo, beef, and pig are used in the recipes of the ethnic communities nowadays.
To perfect Thang Co, lots of Vietnamese newspapers have written that the dish requires about 12 – 20 different spices. No one can say for sure what is added to the dish since local cooks and restaurants always keep their recipes confidential. Some say the spices used in Thang Co include star anise, cardamom, lemongrass, and other unique spices only from the highland.
The H’Mong people cook every part of the four-legged animal. The pot is filled with the internal organs of a horse such as blood cubes, kidneys, and intestines. To fully soak the spices, the organs are cooked for hours. It’s a long cooking process that requires lots of patience and dedication.
Horse meat has a distinctive taste from any other type of meat. It’s incredibly tender and you won’t feel the fat lingering in your mouth. Even stewed for hours, the horse’s organs stay crunchy. The special seasoning combination of the dish brings out a pleasantly pungent aroma of the upland that overdoses your sensory. Reveling in the giant steamy pot of horse meat with a sip of rice wine in the mildly cold atmosphere of highland, that is how to enjoy food like the H’Mong.
Make your way to the charming Sapa and feast on the relish of upland at local markets. Pots of horse meat at upland markets are super huge, enough to cater to dozens of people. Additionally, these restaurants serving top-notch Thang Co are also wonderful options:
- A Phu restaurant – 15, Fansipan street, Sapa.
- Hai Lam Sapa restaurant – 72, Luong Dinh Cua street, Sapa.
- Trung Tam Lau (Hotpot Center) restaurant – 552 Dien Bien Phu street, Sapa.
- Cau May Sapa restaurant – 92 Ngu Chi Son street, Sapa.
- Thang Co A Quynh restaurant – 15 Thach Son street, Sapa.
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