Before a first Vietnam trip, get these right: passport, whether you qualify for visa exemption or need an e-visa, customs lines you should not cross, and how you will get data and cash after landing. Sightseeing comes after that—so you do not get stuck at the airport.
Whether you fly into Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, the arrival logic is similar. This page is a checklist; rules change, so use the official links and recheck before you take off.
Key points first
- Passport validity and blank pages
- Whether your status is visa exemption or needs an e-visa—confirm on official sources, not only screenshots from forums
- If you need an e-visa, use only evisa.gov.vn
- On arrival: immigration → baggage → customs → then data and a ride
- Keep a little VND on hand; larger amounts by card or ATM
Official sites and related links
- Vietnam e-visa official portal
- e-visa FAQ
- Tan Son Nhat to the city · Noi Bai to the city
- Grab in Vietnam · Money & payments
- Must-have apps
- Vietnam eSIM
Visa exemption or e-visa?
For many Taiwan passport holders on short tourism trips, visa exemption is common (length follows the latest notice). If exemption is not enough or your trip does not qualify, apply for an e-visa:
- Fill only on the official site; upload passport details and a photo
- Select the correct port of entry (Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, and others)
- Pay online; refusals usually are non-refundable—double-check name and date of birth first
- Save the PDF / approval screen to show on arrival
Do not pay large fees to obscure “guaranteed approval” sites—self-apply when you can. Agencies that only fill the same official form rarely add real value.
Stuck: approval name does not match the passport → correct via official channels quickly; do not wait until the airport. If your flight switches to another airport, confirm the visa’s port of entry still applies.
Pre-trip checklist
- Passport original plus a photocopy or cloud backup
- Exemption reconfirmed, or e-visa already approved
- Return / onward ticket available to show (airlines sometimes ask)
- Hotel English address and phone (paper note or screenshot)
- A little USD or VND as float (or a plan to exchange / withdraw on arrival)
- Phone ready for eSIM: Vietnam eSIM
- Maps, Grab, and Translate installed (see must-have apps)
Typical arrival flow
- Follow Arrival signs
- Immigration: passport + visa documents if required; queue as directed
- Baggage claim: match your flight carousel; oversized bags use the special area
- Customs: nothing to declare → normal channel; ask if unsure
- After exit, turn on data and call Grab or find transport
HCMC: Tan Son Nhat to the city. Hanoi: Noi Bai to the city. Da Nang uses the same pattern—data first, then Grab.
Customs reminders
- Do not bring prohibited items; tobacco and alcohol have duty-free concepts—overages may be taxed
- Large cash amounts may need declaration; thresholds follow official rules
- Medicines: personal quantities only; check before packing if unsure
- Fruit, fresh produce, and some agricultural goods may be restricted—do not gamble
Cash and data (usable right after landing)
- Daily spending is easier in VND; a little USD can be backup. Details: money guide
- You need data outside the hall for maps and rides—do not wait until downtown to install a plan
- Airport Wi‑Fi helps in a pinch but is unreliable; eSIM / roaming is calmer for the whole trip
Common snags and fixes
- Asked where you stay and for how long: have hotel name and return date ready
- e-visa screen will not open: keep an offline PDF / screenshot
- Cannot find pickup: open Grab for Pickup instructions, or switch to official Taxi
Before you fly, lock in three things: passport validity, exemption or e-visa, and hotel / return details. Rules change—glance at the official site again before takeoff.
