Under Article 11, Vietnam may place a visa on a separate piece of paper—often called a loose-leaf visa—instead of stamping it into your passport when (1) your passport has no blank pages, (2) international practice or a formal request applies (e.g., certain diplomatic/official cases), or (3) other security/administrative reasons make an in-passport sticker inappropriate. The loose-leaf visa is legally equivalent to a visa sticker and must be carried together with the same passport.
Who this helps (and the questions it answers)
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Frequent travelers: “My passport is nearly full—can I still get a Vietnam visa?”
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Diplomats/officials/NGOs: “When does Vietnam issue a separate paper visa for protocol or security?”
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Airline & hotel staff: “Is a loose-leaf visa valid like a sticker? What documents must passengers carry?”
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Emergency passport holders: “I’m traveling on an emergency/temporary passport—how will my Vietnam visa be issued?”
When Vietnam issues a separate paper (loose-leaf) visa
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No blank pages left
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Your passport cannot accommodate a visa sticker/stamp.
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International practice or formal request
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Diplomatic/official travelers or cases aligned with international protocols.
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Security/administrative reasons
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Situations where placing a visa inside the passport is not appropriate or feasible (determined by authorities).
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Authority’s discretion: The Immigration authority decides if a loose-leaf visa is appropriate—even if you request it.
How it works (practical details)
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What you receive: A separate paper showing your visa symbol/type, validity dates, number of entries, and personal details—same data as a sticker.
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How you use it: Present the loose-leaf visa + the same passport at check-in and at Vietnam immigration.
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Legal effect: It functions exactly like a passport-affixed visa for entry, exit, and inspection.
Loose-leaf vs. e-Visa vs. sticker (quick comparison)
| Format | What you carry | Typical use | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker/Stamp | Visa inside passport | Standard consular/VOA issuance | Needs a blank page. |
| Loose-leaf (separate paper) | Paper visa + the same passport | No blank pages, diplomatic/administrative reasons | Equal legal value; keep together. |
| e-Visa (PDF) | Printed approval PDF + passport | Online tourist/business use | Not the same as loose-leaf; still separate from passport and must match passport number & entry port. |
Real-world scenarios (answer-style)
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Passport full, flight this week: Apply and note no blank pages; a loose-leaf may be issued at authority discretion.
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Emergency/temporary passport: Expect a separate paper visa to avoid affixing to a short-validity document.
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Diplomatic mission travel: Protocol may call for a loose-leaf based on international practice.
Compliance checklist (copy/paste for travelers)
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✅ Carry both: your loose-leaf visa and the same passport used for the application
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✅ Verify names/passport number on the visa match your passport exactly
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✅ Confirm validity dates and entry type (single/multiple) cover your itinerary
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✅ If using e-Visa, print the PDF and enter via an approved port listed on your approval
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✅ Keep a photo/scan of the loose-leaf in secure cloud storage as backup (not a substitute at the border)
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
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❌ Carrying the paper without the passport → Denied boarding/entry
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❌ Using a different passport than the one tied to the visa → Record mismatch
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❌ Folding/damaging the loose-leaf document → keep it clean, flat, and protected
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❌ Wrong entry port (for e-Visa) → use the approved checkpoint on your letter
FAQs
Is a loose-leaf visa as valid as a sticker?
Yes. It is legally equivalent and recognized by immigration.
What if I lose the separate paper visa?
Report it immediately to the nearest Immigration Office and contact your embassy/consulate for guidance. Replacement is at authority discretion and may require re-issuance.
Can I request a loose-leaf visa to save passport pages?
You can request, but issuance is not guaranteed; the decision rests with Immigration.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010 with excellent Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) helps you:
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Flag no-blank-page or emergency passport issues up front
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Choose the correct visa format (e-Visa vs. consular vs. VOA) and explain loose-leaf eligibility
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Pre-check identity/port/validity to avoid check-in surprises
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Offer expedited options when timing is tight (Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday)
Travel prepared. Start a format-matched, compliant application at VietnamEntryVisa.com.