Article 5 lists what is not allowed in Vietnam’s immigration system: obstructing lawful rights/obligations, creating unlawful procedures/fees or harassment, illegal entry/exit/residence, false information or forged documents, activities against national security or public order, and misuse/transfer/alteration of immigration papers.
Who this helps: tourists, business travelers, expats/students, employers, hotels/landlords, tour operators, and compliance teams who need a clear checklist to avoid fines, denial of entry, or removal.
What Article 5 Prohibits (with plain-English examples)
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Obstructing lawful rights & obligations
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Not allowed: Preventing foreigners or agencies from registering temporary residence, extending status, or accessing lawful procedures.
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Example: A landlord refuses to file a required guest declaration despite having all documents.
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Unlawful procedures, fees, or harassment
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Not allowed: Inventing steps, demanding unofficial payments, or causing intentional delays in visa/residence processing.
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Example: An intermediary charges a “special desk fee” that is not in the law.
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Illegal entry, exit, transit, or residence
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Not allowed: Entering/exiting at unauthorized checkpoints, overstaying a visa, living in Vietnam without valid permission, or forged/altered passports.
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Example: Crossing a land border informally or remaining after visa expiry.
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False statements or forged documents
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Not allowed: Submitting fake invitation letters, altered e-Visa PDFs, or incorrect identity/travel data to obtain approvals.
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Example: Editing a passport scan to change the expiry date.
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Using immigration as a cover for harmful acts
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Not allowed: Activities that threaten national security, public order, or lawful rights of agencies/individuals under the guise of travel/residence.
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Example: Entering as a tourist to conduct activities inconsistent with declared purpose.
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Misuse of immigration papers
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Not allowed: Buying, selling, renting, lending, borrowing visas/TRCs/passports; erasing or modifying contents.
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Example: Sharing a visa approval letter with another traveler or altering entry ports/dates on a document.
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Real-World Questions This Answers
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“Can my hotel refuse to register my stay?” → No; obstructing lawful declarations is prohibited.
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“Is it okay to pay a ‘fast lane’ cash fee?” → No if it’s not an official, published fee.
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“I’m about to overstay—what now?” → Overstay is prohibited; seek a lawful extension or exit before expiry.
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“Can I borrow a friend’s approval letter?” → Never; immigration papers are personal and non-transferable.
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“My plans changed—can I edit my e-Visa PDF?” → No; altering documents is prohibited. Reapply correctly.
Compliance Checklist
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✅ Use only your own valid passport/visa/e-Visa/TRC (unaltered, readable MRZ).
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✅ Follow official procedures/fees; keep receipts and reference numbers.
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✅ Enter/exit via approved ports and keep within authorized stay.
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✅ Ensure temporary residence is declared by your accommodation/host.
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✅ Keep purpose of stay aligned with your visa type (tourism, business, study, work).
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✅ Reapply or extend before expiry—do not overstay.
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❌ Do not lend/borrow/sell immigration papers or submit altered scans/photos.
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❌ Do not pay or request unofficial fees or “extra paperwork” outside published rules.
Red Flags (fix these before you travel)
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Name/order on application doesn’t match passport
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Wrong entry port on e-Visa vs. your actual flight/ferry/crossing
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Photo non-compliant (background/shadows/size) or blurry passport scan
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Past overstay or mismatch of travel purpose
Quick FAQs
Q: Can an agent legally add extra “processing steps”?
A: No. Creating unlawful procedures/fees or causing harassment/delays is prohibited.
Q: I’ve already overstayed—what should I do?
A: Resolve immediately through the proper channel (extension or exit) to minimize consequences; do not attempt workarounds.
Q: My document was rejected for “inconsistency.” Can I correct and reapply?
A: Yes—submit accurate data and unaltered documents; never modify prior approvals.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010 with strong Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) helps you stay inside Article 5 by providing:
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Document pre-check (no altered files, correct ports/dates, compliant photos)
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Clear, official-fee guidance—no hidden charges or unlawful “extras”
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Fast tracks (Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday) with status updates
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Host support (hotels/landlords/employers) for timely declarations
Apply the right way—once. Start a lawful, compliant Vietnam e-Visa via VietnamEntryVisa.com.