Holding a valid Vietnam passport enables Vietnam citizens to facilitate international travel, allowing them to exit and re-enter Vietnam easily. So, how many types of passports are there in Vietnam and how to apply for them? Our comprehensive guide will give you detailed information on passport requirements, application procedures, fees, and renewals.
1. About Vietnam passport
Vietnam passports are documents issued by the competent authority of Vietnam to Vietnamese citizens to certify their nationality. According to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 18, 2023, Vietnam passport ranking is 82nd, having moved up 6 ranks compared to January 2023 (88th place) and 10 ranks compared to 2022 (92nd place).
Accordingly, Vietnam passport holders can visit 55 countries and territories without a visa or with simplified visas like e-visas or visas on arrival. These countries and territories include:
Region | Country/Territory |
Asia | Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste |
Middle East | Iran, Kuwait, Oman |
Oceania | The Cook Islands, The Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Niue, Palau archipelago, Samoa, Tuvalu |
Caribbean | Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
America | Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Suriname |
Africa | Burundi, Cape Verde, The Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia |
Vietnam passports are divided into 4 types:
- Diplomatic passport
- Brown-red cover, 48 pages in total
- Issued to high-ranking state officials authorized by the competent authority to travel abroad for official duties.
- Valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, granting access to all countries.
- Issuing authority: the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations (in HCMC), or overseas Vietnam Embassies/Consulates.
- Official passport
- Dark green cover, 48 pages in total
- Issued to government officials authorized by the competent authority to travel abroad for official duties.
- Valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, granting access to all countries.
- Issuing authority: the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations (in HCMC), or overseas Vietnam Embassies/Consulates.
- Standard passport
- Purple-blue cover, 48 pages in total
- Issued to Vietnamese citizens.
- For citizens from 14 years old: valid for 10 years from the date of issuance, and non-renewable.
- For citizens under 14 years old: valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, and non-renewable.
- Issuing authority: the Immigration Office where you temporarily or permanently reside if you don’t have a Vietnamese ID card, or the nearest Immigration Office if you have one, or overseas Vietnam Embassies/Consulates.
- Standard passport (issued via simplified procedures): This is a new Vietnam passport type issued from August 15, 2023. It has a black cover, comprises 12 pages, and is valid for 1 year. Those eligible for this passport include:
- Those who are overseas, have lost their passports, and wish to return immediately.
- Those who are deported from the host countries and do not have passports.
- Those who are forced to return under international treaties or agreements on repatriation.
- Those who were granted passports due to defense and security reasons.
>>> Read more: Vietnam passport sample: Must-know information about the latest changes
2. Who is not eligible for a Vietnam passport?
The following cases shall not be eligible for a Vietnam passport:
- Those currently under criminal prosecution or involved in a criminal investigation.
- Those currently serving a criminal sentence.
- Those currently serving a civil or economic judgment, or waiting for resolution of a civil or economic dispute.
- Those currently obligated under a decision on administrative penalties, tax obligations, and other financial obligations, unless their funds or assets have been deposited or other measures have been taken to fulfill those obligations.
- Those engaged in administrative violations related to immigration.
- For prevention of the spread of dangerous diseases.
- For reasons of national security and social order protection.
>>> Check out all you need to know about the Vietnam passport stamp!
3. Vietnam passport application requirements and procedures
3.1. In Vietnam
3.1.1. Standard passport
There are two ways to apply for a standard passport in Vietnam: in person or online. If you prefer applying for a passport in person, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Prepare required documents
- An application form for issuance of a Vietnam passport.
- 2 portrait photos.
- A copy of the birth certificate for those under 14 years old.
- The most recently issued standard passport (if any). If your Vietnam passport was lost, you need to present a report of passport loss issued by the competent authority.
- Certified proof of legal representative status issued by the competent authority if the passport applicant has lost the capacity for civil acts, has difficulty in cognitive perception and behavior control, or is under 14 years old.
- Step 2: Submit the documents to the Immigration Office
- Step 3: Pay the fee and wait for the results
You can also apply for a Vietnam passport online via the National Portal on Public Services: dichvucong.gov.vn. However, as of now, the portal is entirely in Vietnamese. Thus, it is recommended that you apply in person for more convenience.
3.1.2. Official and diplomatic passport
To apply for an official or diplomatic passport in Vietnam, you need to follow this process:
- Step 1: Prepare required documents
- An application form for issuance of a Vietnam passport.
- 2 portrait photos.
- A decision of the competent authority on allowing the applicant to go abroad.
- The most recently issued diplomatic or official passport. If your Vietnam passport was lost, you need to present a written notice issued by the supervisory authority.
- Step 2: Submit the documents to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations (in HCMC)
- Step 3: Pay the fee and wait for the results
3.2. Outside Vietnam
3.2.1. Standard passport
How to get Vietnam passports for overseas Vietnamese? According to Vietnamese law, a Vietnamese citizen residing in a foreign country can apply for a standard passport at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in that country. The process is as follows:
- Step 1: Prepare required documents
- An application form for issuance of a Vietnam passport.
- 2 portrait photos.
- A copy of a document issued by the competent authority in the host country that proves your residence in that country.
- A copy of a document issued by the competent authority that proves your Vietnamese nationality.
- A copy of the birth certificate for those under 14 years old.
- The most recently issued standard passport (if any). If your Vietnam passport was lost, you need to present a report of passport loss issued by the competent authority.
- Certified proof of legal representative status issued by the competent authority if the passport applicant has lost the capacity for civil acts, has difficulty in cognitive perception and behavior control, or is under 14 years old.
- Step 2: Submit the documents to the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in the host country where you reside
- Step 3: Pay the fee and wait for the results
3.2.2. Official and diplomatic passport
Here are the detailed process of applying for a diplomatic or official Vietnam passport abroad:
- Step 1: Prepare required documents
- An application form for issuance of a Vietnam passport.
- 2 portrait photos.
- A decision of the competent authority on allowing the applicant to go abroad.
- The most recently issued diplomatic or official passport. If your Vietnam passport was lost, you need to present a written notice issued by the supervisory authority.
- Step 2: Submit the documents to the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in the host country that you reside
- Step 3: Pay the fee and wait for the results
4. When and how to renew a Vietnam passport?
According to Vietnamese law, diplomatic and official passports with a remaining validity of less than 1 year can be extended once for up to another 3 years. In case of expiration, a new passport application must be made.
Standard passports are valid for up to 10 years and cannot be extended. In case of passport loss or damage, it shall be re-issued. In case of expiration, a new application must be made.
4.1. How to extend and renew Vietnam’s official passport and Vietnam’s diplomatic passport?
To renew Vietnam passports (Official/Diplomatic Passports), you can refer to section 3.1.2 of this article.
4.2. How to renew Vietnam’s standard passport?
As mentioned, you cannot extend a standard passport. Instead, you must make a new application. The process is the same as section 3.1.1 of this article.
![Vietnam passport According to Vietnam passport expiry rules, standard passports can’t be extended](https://static.vinwonders.com/production/Vietnam-passport-6.jpg)
According to Vietnam passport expiry rules, standard passports can’t be extended (Source: Collected)
>>> Read more: Vietnam passport renewal: Renewal process, processing time & fees
5. Vietnam passport application fee and processing time
Below are the latest fees for Vietnam passport issuance:
- In Vietnam
Entry | Fee (until December 12, 2023) | Fee (from January 1, 2024) |
New issuance | 160,000 VND | 200,000 VND |
Reissuance (in case of passport loss) | 320,000 VND | 400,000 VND |
- Outside Vietnam
Entry | Fee |
Issuance of official, diplomatic, and standard passports | 70 USD |
Issuance of standard passports (via simplified procedures) | 35 USD |
When it comes to the processing time for a Vietnam passport, it will take 5 working days if you apply at the Immigration Department and 8 working days if you apply at the Immigration Office. It will take 5-20 days if you apply for a Vietnam passport abroad.
If you have a Vietnam passport, you can enjoy Vietnam travel to your heart’s content. Discover the age-old culture of Hanoi, the charm of Hoi An, the mélange of traditional and contemporary in Da Nang, the world beneath the waters of Nha Trang, and the idyllic haven of Phu Quoc. An exceptional journey awaits you in Vietnam!
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In brief, the Vietnam passport is an essential travel document for Vietnamese citizens, granting international travel privileges. With 4 types of passports, you can apply for a Vietnam passport online or offline, in or outside Vietnam. To ensure a seamless application process, you should contact the Immigration Office for the most detailed and up-to-date information.