Vietnam Visa RequirementsFor Kenya passport holders
Kenyan citizens can visit Vietnam with an e-visa applied online at the official Vietnam e-visa portal, costing $25. The visa allows up to 90 days and is available as single or multiple-entry. Connections via Dubai or Bangkok are the most common routes from Nairobi.
Kenya passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Vietnam.
Apply at the official Vietnam e-visa portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). You need a scan of your passport data page, a digital passport photo (white background), your intended entry and exit ports, travel dates, and the $25 fee payable by credit or debit card. The e-visa is typically processed within 3 business days, though it can be instant. Download and print the approved e-visa to present at arrival. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity and all details match exactly. Avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Kenya to Vietnam: What You Need to Know
Vietnam expanded its e-visa system to citizens of all nationalities in 2023, replacing the previous cumbersome letter-of-approval process. Kenyan travelers can now apply directly online without going through a travel agent. The e-visa costs $25, is valid for 90 days from issue, and can be issued as single or multiple-entry. Vietnam has become increasingly popular with Kenyan travelers for its combination of affordability, natural beauty, warm climate, and diverse cuisine. The e-visa covers entry at all major international airports and most land crossings.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Nairobi (NBO) to Vietnamese airports (Hanoi HAN, Ho Chi Minh City SGN, Da Nang DAD). Common routes go via Dubai (DXB) with Emirates or flydubai then connecting with Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet. Fly via Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN) for further options. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD) to Asian hubs is another route. Total journey time is typically 14 to 20 hours depending on routing and layover.
Money & Banking
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas and accept international Visa and Mastercard. Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most affordable destinations: street food meals cost $1 to $3, mid-range restaurant meals $5 to $10, budget guesthouses from $10 to $15 per night. Bargaining is expected at markets. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and provide good data coverage. Tipping is not traditional but appreciated by tourism workers.
Practical Tips
Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south. Hanoi's Old Quarter has French colonial architecture and outstanding street food. Ha Long Bay (UNESCO) has thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald water, best seen on an overnight cruise. Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed ancient port town with lantern-lit streets and tailors who make custom clothing overnight. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) has compelling war history museums and frenetic energy. Phu Quoc island offers white-sand beaches. Vietnamese cuisine (pho, banh mi, bun cha) is celebrated worldwide.