Complete Guide to Traveling to Vietnam from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Considering a trip to Vietnam this year? 'The Land of the Blue Dragon' offers plenty for travellers to get excited about with its lush landscapes and unique mix of history, culture, and food.

Whether you are planning to travel to Vietnam for work, study, or pleasure, you will need to secure a valid visa to enter the country. This guide will provide the lowdown on visa types and customs checks, and cover some handy tips about finances so you can fully enjoy your stay in Vietnam.

We'll also introduce the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents
NZ to Vietnam Travel Requirements Applying for Vietnam Visa from NZ Flying to Vietnam from NZ Checklist for NZ to Vietnam Travel Managing Your Finances in Vietnam Cash Considerations Using Your NZ Cards in Vietnam Wise Travel Card for Vietnam

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New Zealand to Vietnam Travel Requirements

You can enter Vietnam by air, land, and sea with a passport valid for at least six months from the departure date. Before you visit, you will also need to secure a valid visa. You can do this by applying for an e-visa online or filling out a form in person at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in New Zealand¹.

There is also an option to obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) at eight qualifying airports. However, we recommend caution as the processing times can vary from one to seven working days, so apply at least a week before your flight. A visa on arrival is not applicable for anyone entering by land or sea.

While visitors from certain European countries can arrange visa-free travel for up to 45 days, this is not a luxury afforded to New Zealanders.

Vietnam Visa for New Zealand Citizens

All New Zealand citizens need to acquire a valid visa. There are three common types of Vietnamese visas: tourist, business, relative visit, and student.

• A tourist visa is granted purely for recreational activities
• A business visa is granted for business activities such as meetings or working for an enterprise in Vietnam
• A relative visit visa is granted to relatives of Vietnamese citizens or foreigners with temporary resident permits
• A student visa is granted for studying at a recognized educational institution

When applying for the first three visa types you can opt for either single or multiple entries for either 30 or 90 days depending on your needs. All visas are valid for a set period from the date of entry. Student visas are valid for 1 year.

Vietnam Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

New Zealand resident permit holders can also travel to Vietnam by applying for a visa. However, visa requirements are dependent on passport nationality. If you have a temporary residence permit, we recommend contacting the Vietnamese Embassy in advance for clarity on your visa options. Resident permits don’t typically grant any special privileges or restrictions.

Applying for Vietnam Visa from New Zealand

The quickest way to get a Vietnam visa from New Zealand is by applying for an electronic visa².

Applying for an e-visa

Before you get started, make sure you meet the basic requirements for a visa. You will need a valid passport, a passport-size photo, and supporting documents depending on the visa type. You must also be prepared to pay a visa fee.

With that sorted, you can follow this step-by-step guide to acquiring an e-visa for Vietnam:

1. Visit the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Department
2. Click apply now and agree to the declaration instructions
3. Fill out the application form with person information, details about the trip (including your purpose of entry), insurance information, and upload your photo alongwith the passport data page image.
4. Review the application form and pay the visa fee
5. Wait for approval
6. Use the registration code provided to save and print your e-visa

The official Vietnamese embassy states that visitors must have a physical copy of their e-visa when arriving³. Make sure to print a copy or two and put one in your passport and another in your bag ready for landing to prevent any last-minute hitches.

Applying for a regular visa

There is also the option of applying for a regular visa in person. You can do this by visiting the Vietnamese embassy in Wellington. Here are the details.

Embassy	Address	Phone
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam	Level 21 Grand Plimmer Tower, 2-6 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington, 6011	+64 4 473 5912

Like with an e-visa, you can opt for both single or multiple entries depending on how you plan on spending your time in Vietnam. All student visas must be obtained from an embassy or consulate⁴.

Flying to Vietnam from New Zealand

Vietnam is an accessible destination as around 17 airlines run connecting flights from New Zealand. However, at the time of writing, there are no direct flights. Popular stopover spots are in Brisbane, Sydney, and Singapore.

Flight times vary due to the length of the country, which spans roughly 1,030 miles along the coastline. One of the most popular routes is flying from Auckland Airport to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which takes just under 14 hours. This flight to Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam is one of the shortest routes.

In contrast, jetting off from Auckland to Noi Bai International Airport in the capital, Hanoi in the north can take almost 21 hours on average. If you aren’t a fan of longer flights, you can travel to the southern tip and then head north afterwards.

Airlines that operate between New Zealand and Vietnam include:

• Air New Zealand
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Qantas Airways

What can I bring into Vietnam

Like most countries, Vietnam has a duty-free allowance for specific goods brought into the country⁵. However, some items are prohibited entirely. These include:

• Any explosive material
• Counterfeit items
• Narcotics
• Cultural artefacts
• Pornography

Vietnam also restricts the import of live animals and endangered species. You will need relevant certificates and valid inoculations for these.

There is a relatively generous duty free allowance for most items, though. You will need to declare any gifts or unused personal items over the value of 10,000,000 VND. Other duty free allowances in Vietnam are as follows:

• Up to 50g of tobacco or 400 cigarette sticks
• Up to 100 cigars
• Up to 3kg of coffee
• Up to 5kg of tea
• Up to 1.5L of spirits and 2L of alcohol

We recommend familiarising yourself with the customs rules before travelling.

Document to carry before flying to Vietnam

To board your flight and fly into Vietnam, you must carry several important documents. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from arrival. Present this at the immigration desk with your Vietnam visa, which can be obtained in advance or on arrival.

In addition to a passport and visa, you must also complete an arrival card - commonly known as an M3 form⁶. This document can be downloaded here and filled in before you travel. Alternatively, you can get a form on the plane or at the airport on arrival. You need to retain this card for your departure later.

There are no requirements to present health certificates or vaccination records. However, you should print off your travel insurance policy to provide proof of coverage. Having documentation for your accommodation and itinerary is also recommended for immigration checkpoints.

Checklist for New Zealand to Vietnam Travel

Before you pack your bags and embark on a new adventure in Vietnam, run through this checklist of essential day-to-day items to prepare.

• Travel adapters and electronics: Pack in a travel adapter with type A, B, and C plug types and a portable power bank to charge your devices
• Appropriate clothing: Take lightweight and breathable clothing for Vietnam’s hot, tropical climate and a rain jacket if you are travelling during wet season
• Health and safety items: Pack in sunscreen, insect repellant, prescription medication, and antihistamine to ease allergic reactions

Mobile connectivity option's

Tourists in Vietnam rely on mobile data for navigation, making payments, and booking activities. International roaming on NZ SIM cards is an option, but you are likely to incur high charges to use your calls, texts, and data. A better option is to procure an eSIM or local prepaid Vietnamese SIM card.

Some of the best e-SIM options for Vietnam include Jetpac, Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. These can be purchased online before you travel or at one of the major airports on arrival.

Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Exploring new places is exciting, but you want peace of mind that you are covered if anything goes wrong. Taking out the right travel insurance policy for your trip to Vietnam will provide essential medical protection, as well as cover for other unforeseen events such as flight cancellations, lost luggage, and other disruptions.

Check out our guide to the best travel insurance in New Zealand for trips abroad to get the comprehensive coverage you need.

Managing Your Finances in Vietnam

You don’t want to be caught short without cards or cash in Vietnam. Here’s a quick guide to making the most of your finances during your stay.

Cash Considerations

While digital payments are growing in popularity, cash is still widely used in Vietnam. The local currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). If you want to taste local delicacies at street vendors and small restaurants or purchase goods from nearby markets, it’s always useful to have banknotes and coins on hand.

But try not to get stung by conversion rates in Vietnam, which can be hefty if you are looking to exchange NZD after your arrival. And remember to compare rates to avoid markups that can eat into your budget. When drawing out money, use ATMs in Vietnam from reputable banks like ANZ Vietnam and Vietcombank. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

Using NZD debit and credit cards is the one of the way to spend money in Vietnam. Contactless payments are available in Vietnam with Both Google Wallet and Apple Pay, which launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively, are supported⁸. If you are visiting bigger cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can probably get by just using your card. But we would advise against relying solely on it when planning a longer trip to various locations. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

Be vigilant about the foreign transaction fees and exchange rate markups on your card. The exact amounts will vary depending on the bank and card but these fees can quickly add up to the expenses for purchases made in foreign currency.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available for residents of New Zealand and supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on VND Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Apply for a Visa - Vietnam Embassy in New Zealand
2. E-Visa Application for Vietnam
3. Vietnam Issues E-Visas to All Countries
4. Vietnam Student Visa Information
5. Vietnam Customs Information
6. Vietnam Entry and Exit Form (M3)
7. Using Cards Overseas - BNZ
8. Apple Pay Launched in Vietnam