Hello!
Usually I wouldn’t write the details of getting a visa because it’s incredibly dull, but I’m making an exception here. I couldn’t find this specific information online about the Vietnamese embassy in Savannakhet or the current pricing for a single-entry visa, so I thought I’d add this (hopefully) useful information to the internet.
We went in blind, but if this post assists even one person then it was worth me writing it (please send us cash).
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday
7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
ADDRESS
418, Sisavangvong
Khanthabury
Savannakhet
Laos
Here are the co-ordinates on Google maps, although the embassy isn’t actually listed on there.
In fact, if you’re running Android then now would be a good time to let you know about MapsMe – an offline maps app that is better than Google in this part of the world. The Vietnamese embassy is listed on there. Here’s the link to the play store. (And no, we aren’t getting paid to write this – although if the MapsMe developers happen to be reading this please send cash)
WHAT TO BRING
– Cash
– 1 passport photo
– Passport (this is probably obvious, but there are some dullards out there)
PRICES (in USD)
1-month single entry = $40
3-month single entry = $50
It takes three days to process the application but you can pay an extra $5 for next-day service, which we did.
~ Note for members of ASEAN countries ~
You don’t need a visa for one month entry into Vietnam, but after you’ve left you aren’t allowed back until another month has passed – so you can’t do visa runs. Therefore Caroline (ASEAN member) had to pay the above price for three months entry. Lame.
~ Note for British passport holders ~
Same as ASEAN members, except you get only 15 days free entry without a visa. You still have to wait one month outside of Vietnam before you can re-enter. Lame.
PROCESS
Day 1
The two guys working were very friendly and it was a pleasure to deal with them. There was also no queue; we were the only people in the office.
We got given a form to fill out. It was nothing too taxing, but one of the required fields was our first point of accommodation in Vietnam including address. We quickly found a random hotel on a map close to our border crossing and wrote that. This seemed to suffice, so we handed over our forms, the cash, the passports, and the passport photos. They took a photocopy of the passports and returned them to us. We were asked to return at 4 p.m. the following day.
Day 2
We arrived at 4 p.m, and the same friendly guys took our passports. Ten minutes later they returned them with our new visas.
Voilà!
And for no reason at all, here’s a picture of a double banana.
~~~
A visa run at the Prek Chak border (Cambodia to Vietnam)
Sell your crap and travel!
Understanding Malaysians