Vietnam Visa for Serbian Citizens

Planning a trip to Vietnam begins with understanding the entry rules, and the vietnam visa for serbian citizens is one of the first things you should check. Whether you’re visiting for leisure, business, or a longer adventure, knowing the right visa type will help you avoid delays or unnecessary complications. With updated regulations and multiple application methods available, Serbian travelers now have more convenient options than ever. Here’s what you need to know before entering Vietnam.

Do Serbian Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Vietnam?

Under Vietnam’s current immigration rules, Serbia is not on the visa-exempt list, except for one special case. Therefore, all Serbian citizens holding a standard passport must possess a valid visa before entering the country.

The Only Exception: Phu Quoc Island

If you fly straight to Phu Quoc and stay only on the island for under 30 days, you can enter without a visa. However, if you plan to visit the mainland (like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City), a visa is mandatory.

Serbian travelers need a visa for Vietnam, except for the special 30-day Phu Quoc Island exemption

Types of Vietnam Visa Available for Serbian Citizens

There are three primary ways for Serbian nationals to obtain a valid entry permit. Choosing the right one depends on your travel method and itinerary.

Serbian travelers can get a Vietnam visa through three options: E-visa, Visa on Arrival, or applying via a nearby embassy

E-Visa (Electronic Visa)

This is currently the most popular and convenient method. The Vietnamese government now issues E-visas to citizens of all countries, including Serbia.

Validity: Up to 90 days.
Entry Type: Single entry or Multiple entries.
Purpose: Tourism, business, or visiting relatives.
Port of Entry: Valid at 42 international checkpoints (Airports, Landports, and Seaports).
Ideal for: Vietnam e-visa application Serbia passport holders who want to arrange everything online before departure.

See more>> How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa?

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

The Vietnam visa on arrival for Serbians lets you get the visa at the airport. However, you must have a Visa Approval Letter beforehand and you cannot simply arrive without it.

Requirement: Must apply through a travel agency or visa service to get the Approval Letter.
Validity: Typically 1 month or 3 months.
Limitation: Only applicable for entry by air at Vietnam’s international airports.
Ideal for: Travelers who need an emergency visa or do not want to deal with government website technicalities.

See more>> Conditions for applying for Vietnam visa on arrival

Embassy or Consulate Visa

This is the traditional method of applying for a visa at a Vietnamese diplomatic mission.

Challenge for Serbians: Currently, there is no Vietnam Embassy in Serbia.
How to apply: You must contact the Vietnam Embassy in neighboring countries such as Romania (Bucharest) or Hungary (Budapest). This process often involves mailing your original passport or traveling to the embassy in person.
Ideal for: Those traveling by land/sea who cannot obtain an E-visa for specific reasons.

How Much Does a Vietnam Visa Cost for Serbian Citizens?

Understanding Vietnam visa fees Serbia helps you budget effectively. Costs vary based on the method chosen.

Vietnam visa costs for Serbian citizens vary by method E-visa, Visa on Arrival, or Embassy application

E-Visa Fees (Government Fee)

You pay this directly to the Vietnam Immigration Department via their portal.

Single Entry (up to 90 days): ~25 USD
Multiple Entry (up to 90 days): ~50 USD
Note: This fee is non-refundable if your application is rejected.

Visa on Arrival Fees

This involves two separate payments:

Service Fee: Paid online to the visa agency to process your Approval Letter (ranges from $15 to $50 depending on urgency).
Stamping Fee: Paid in cash (USD) at the Vietnam airport upon arrival ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry).

Embassy Visa Fees

Fees are set by the specific Embassy in Romania or Hungary and can vary. Please contact them directly for the current quote.

How Long Can Serbian Citizens Stay in Vietnam?

With the new regulations implemented in late 2023 and continuing into 2025:

Tourist/Business E-Visa: You can stay up to 90 days.
Extension: Extending a tourist visa while inside Vietnam is currently difficult and expensive. It is highly recommended to apply for the 90-day visa upfront if you plan a long trip, rather than relying on an extension.

See more>>

Common Questions by Serbian Travelers

Traveling to a new country often comes with uncertainties regarding legalities and procedures. Here are answers to the most common questions from Serbian citizens planning a trip to Vietnam.

Can I Work in Vietnam with a Tourist Visa?

No, absolutely not. It is strictly illegal to engage in any form of paid employment in Vietnam while holding a Tourist Visa (DL category) or a standard E-visa issued for tourism purposes.

The Risk: If you are caught working without a valid permit, you face severe penalties, including heavy fines, immediate deportation, and being blacklisted from entering Vietnam in the future.
The Solution: If you plan to work in Vietnam, even for a short-term project or to teach English, your employer must sponsor you. They need to arrange a Work Permit and either a Business Visa (DN) or a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

What Should I Do If My E-Visa Gets Rejected?

E-visa rejections usually happen due to data mismatches or low-quality uploaded documents. If your application status returns as “Denied” or “Amended,” follow these steps:

Check the Reason: Log into the E-visa portal and read the specific reason for rejection. Common errors include:
- Poor quality passport photo (glare, glasses, or not looking straight).
- The name order does not match the ICAO line on your passport.
- Incorrect passport number or expiry date.
Re-apply: In most cases, you cannot simply “edit” a rejected application to fix it instantly. You usually need to submit a new application with the corrected information and pay the visa fee again. The government fee is non-refundable.
Use a Service: If you are unsure why your visa was rejected, or if you need it quickly, consider using a professional service like Entry Vietnam Visa. They can review your documents before submission to help ensure a higher chance of approval.

Can I Change Travel Dates After Applying?

This depends on how your dates change in relation to the validity period printed on your visa:

Arriving Later: You can enter Vietnam on any date after the “Valid From” date printed on your E-visa, as long as it is still before the “Valid Until” date. However, your total allowed stay will be shortened by the number of days you delayed.
Arriving Earlier: You cannot enter Vietnam before the start date specified on your visa. If your flight is rescheduled to an earlier date, you must apply for a new visa.
Changing the Port: With an E-visa, you should enter Vietnam through the port listed on your visa. Some officers may allow entry through another major airport (like Ho Chi Minh City instead of Hanoi), but this isn’t guaranteed. To be safe, always use the approved entry port.

Is a Return Ticket Required for Entry?

Yes, it is highly recommended.

Immigration Requirement: While immigration officers at Vietnam airports may not ask for this every single time, legally, they have the right to request proof of onward travel to ensure you do not intend to overstay your visa.
Airline Requirement: This is the bigger hurdle. Most airlines flying from Europe (including departures from Belgrade) will deny you boarding if you only have a one-way ticket and a tourist visa. They need to ensure you have a flight out of Vietnam (either a return ticket or a ticket to a third country) before letting you on the plane.
Advice: Always have a confirmed booking for a flight leaving Vietnam within the validity period of your visa.

Getting a Vietnam visa for Serbian citizens is simple with Vietnam’s convenient E-visa system. Whether you’re visiting for a short trip or a 3-month stay, just make sure your documents are correct and submitted on time for a smooth process. If you want to obtain your Vietnam visa quickly and without dealing with complex government portals, Entry Vietnam Visa can support you from start to finish.