Article 4 sets four governing principles for foreigners in Vietnam: **(1) comply with Vietnamese law and international treaties, (2) respect national sovereignty and security, (3) ensure transparent, convenient, unified immigration procedures, and (4) follow the “one-passport” rule for entry, exit, transit, and residence records.
Who this helps: tourists, business travelers, expats/students, airlines and cruise lines, employers, hotels/landlords—anyone who needs clear rules to avoid delays, fines, or denial of entry.
The Four Principles, Explained (and what they mean in practice)
1) Compliance with Laws & Treaties
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What it says: Foreigners must follow Vietnamese immigration law and relevant national laws; Vietnam honors international treaties it has joined.
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What it means for you:
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Enter on a visa/e-Visa that matches your purpose (tourism, business, study, work).
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Observe local laws (address registration, extensions before expiry).
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Expect procedures aligned with international standards (valid documents, approved ports).
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2) Respect for National Sovereignty & Security
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What it says: Immigration must protect Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, social order, and safety; uphold equality in international relations.
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What it means for you:
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Carry ID and visa/e-Visa PDF; follow police/immigration instructions.
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Avoid activities outside your authorized purpose (e.g., working on a tourist visa).
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Comply with security screenings and border-control rules.
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3) Transparency, Convenience & Unified Management
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What it says: Vietnam pursues public, transparent, convenient procedures with a uniform management system for entry, exit, transit, and residence.
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What it means for you:
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Wider e-Visa access and clearer steps (online forms, standardized ports).
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Predictable processing windows (working days, cut-off times).
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Streamlined address declarations via accommodation/hosts.
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4) The One-Passport Rule
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What it says: If you hold multiple passports, you must consistently use one passport for entry, exit, transit, and residence registration.
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What it means for you:
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Use the same passport for your e-Visa application and at the border.
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Do not switch passports mid-trip (risk of denial or record mismatch).
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Real-World Scenarios (answer-style)
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Dual national on an e-Visa: Apply with Passport A → arrive/depart with Passport A. Using Passport B at check-in can trigger a mismatch.
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Short-term business visitor: Meetings allowed if visa purpose matches; no employment duties without proper authorization.
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Hotel/landlord hosting foreigners: Must declare temporary residence; keep ID/visa details accurate and timely.
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Airline check-in: Carrier verifies that traveler’s passport = e-Visa passport and arrival port is approved.
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Student/expat extensions: Submit renewals before expiry; maintain consistent passport and address records.
Compliance Checklist
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✅ Purpose matches visa/e-Visa (tourism/business/study/work)
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✅ One passport used for application, entry, exit, residence
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✅ Passport validity ≥ 6 months; e-Visa PDF printed
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✅ Approved port on e-Visa matches arrival plans
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✅ Temporary residence declared by accommodation/host
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✅ Extensions/changes filed before the current permission expires
Common Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
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❌ Switching passports after approval → Always use the same passport.
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❌ Purpose mismatch (working on tourist status) → Apply for the correct category.
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❌ Late extensions → Track expiry dates and submit early, especially near holidays.
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❌ Wrong entry port → Pick an approved port and stick to it.
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❌ Missing address declaration → Confirm your hotel/host has filed it.
FAQs
Can I enter with one passport and exit with another?
No. Article 4 requires one-passport consistency.
Does “transparency & convenience” guarantee approval?
No. It ensures clear procedures; approval still depends on eligibility and compliance.
Can I change my travel purpose after entry?
Some conversions are allowed by regulation; others require exit and re-entry. Check before acting.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010 with strong Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) offers:
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Purpose-based guidance (tourism, business, study, family) aligned with Article 4
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Document & “one-passport” pre-check to prevent border mismatches
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Fast tracks: Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday e-Visa processing
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Host support for hotels/employers/landlords on declarations and renewals
Apply the right way—once. Start your compliant e-Visa now at VietnamEntryVisa.com.