From 15 Aug 2023, the government of Vietnam decided to extend the duration of stays in Vietnam from 15 to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries who are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam.
These countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the U.K., Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus. Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay for 45 days from the time of entry, regardless of passport type and entry purpose.
Vietnam is a major travel destination for South Korean citizens, as only China has sent more visitors since 2012. Flights between the two countries are pretty frequent and inexpensive, and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has been working to appeal to South Korean citizens in the last several years with affordable travel deals. There is also a sizable Korean community within Vietnam due to foreign industrial investments, meaning there is no shortage of Korean food and culture across the country. So, are you ready to visit Vietnam?
Going to Vietnam from South Korea
Depending on the length of your stay, you may or may not need to get a Vietnam visa when traveling from South Korea. If visiting the country for 14 days or less, you do not need to get an entry visa. For trips longer than two weeks, Korean passport holders need to obtain a visa to stay in Vietnam.
When visiting Vietnam, you will most likely fly into one of the three busiest international airports, which are located in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. If traveling from Seoul, Vietnam Airlines might be your best bet for finding a nonstop flight to Ho Chi Minh City, as they run the most each day. The other popular airlines going into the country’s largest city, as well as the other two main international airports, include AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, and Hahn Air Systems.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa
Before you can explore all Vietnam has to offer, you have to get a visa to enter the country. South Korean citizens have two options for securing a Vietnam visa:
- Apply for a Vietnam Visa Online
This is called Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) and is the recommended method of acquiring a visa if traveling by air to one of the three Vietnam international airports. You can apply for your visa online through our VOA form. Within a couple of days, you will receive an approval letter via email, which you will take with you to get stamped upon arrival in Vietnam.Since 2015, South Korean nationality has been categorized as a difficult nationality group, which means there is a higher visa approval letter fee and additional return flight and passport requirements. The fee for issuance of a visa approval letter for a 1-month visit (whether for a single or multiple basis) is 61,146.44 KRW (US$55.00); for a 3-month single entry, the fee is 94,499.04 KRW (US$85.00); and for a 3-month, multiple entry, the cost is 105,616.58 KRW (US$95.00) for one individual South Korean applicant. Our support team will contact you after we receive your application(s) to provide more detailed instruction based on your length of stay. - Contact Your Local Vietnam Embassy
Visit the closest Vietnam Embassy to you to apply for and get a stamp on your passport before beginning your travels. This option may take longer and requires you to go to the embassy both to request and pick up your visa.
If you have any concerns or queries, reach out to Vietnam Visa via email at support@vietnamvisa.govt.vn, or call +84 12 32 320 320.