E-visa or DN business visa
The e-visa is requested online, with no sponsor, for stays of up to 90 days with single or multiple entry; the fee shown on the official portal was around 25 dollars for a single entry, so check it on the day you apply. The DN visa is for working with a Vietnamese company and is obtained with a letter from that company; timings and fees vary by agency. Some nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays: check the official list. For the steps, read the Vietnam e-visa.
Hotel invoices and expense claims
Vietnam uses electronic invoices. What is often called the "red invoice" is the VAT invoice: the hotel issues it in your company's name if you give the legal name, address and, where relevant, the tax code. Give these details at booking or on arrival, because correcting it after you leave is hard. Keep the payment receipt and the booking confirmation for your finance team too.
Staying connected during the trip
An eSIM installed before departure saves hunting for a card on arrival and lets you use ride-hailing apps for meetings: see eSIM and SIM in Vietnam. To sleep near ministries and embassies, the Ba Dinh district is convenient.
FAQ
Do I need a business visa for a meeting? Not always: the e-visa or an exemption may be enough for meetings; check with the consulate if you work on site.
What is the red invoice? The everyday name for the VAT invoice, now electronic.
