Article 8 assigns visa symbols (codes) to match your purpose of entry (diplomatic, business, work, study, tourism, family, investment, media, NGO, etc.). Choosing the correct code prevents check-in issues, refusals at the border, and later problems with extensions or residence.
Who this guide is for (and the problem it solves)
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Travelers & families: “Which code do I pick for tourism, family visit, or multi-city trips?”
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Employers/HR, schools, NGOs, event organizers: “What visa symbol fits work, study, internship, conference, investor, or journalist cases?”
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Compliance teams: “How do we align invitation/sponsorship paperwork with the correct symbol to avoid mismatches?”
Quick selector — match your situation to the right visa symbol
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Tourism / sightseeing: DL
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Business with Vietnamese enterprise (non-employment): DN
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Conference / meeting / workshop participants: HN
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Work (employment in Vietnam): LĐ
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Study / internship / training: DH
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Foreign investor / foreign lawyer in Vietnam: ĐT
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NGO / foreign org / rep office roles: NN1 / NN2 / NN3
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Diplomatic / official missions & visitors: NG1 / NG2 / NG3 / NG4
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Working with state bodies / social orgs: LV1 / LV2
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Media / press (journalists, correspondents): PV1 / PV2
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Family & dependents of certain visa holders / Vietnamese citizens: TT
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Visit relatives / personal visit (non-dependent): VR
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Special short-term cases as prescribed: SQ
Tip: Your main purpose decides the code. If you’ll do more than one activity, apply for the symbol that covers your primary purpose (e.g., HN for a conference instead of DL).
Visa symbols explained (plain-English overview)
Diplomatic & official (NG)
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NG1 / NG2: Delegations invited by top or high-ranking Vietnamese leaders.
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NG3: Members of diplomatic/consular missions, UN/intergovernmental organizations + spouse, children <18, accompanying housemaids.
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NG4: Individuals working with or visiting NG3 members.
Working with state & social organizations
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LV1: Working with ministries, National Assembly, Supreme People’s Court/Procuracy, provincial People’s Committees.
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LV2: Working with socio-political/social organizations, VCCI, etc.
Business, investment, NGO
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ĐT: Foreign investors and foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.
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DN: Working with Vietnamese enterprises (business activities without taking up employment duties).
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NN1 / NN2 / NN3: Heads/staff of international orgs, foreign NGOs, foreign company reps, cultural/professional orgs, or those working with them.
Study, training, events
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DH: Study, internship, or training in Vietnam.
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HN: Conferences, workshops, meetings.
Media & press
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PV1: Permanent correspondents/journalists based in Vietnam.
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PV2: Short-term correspondents/journalists.
Work, tourism, family
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LĐ: Employment in Vietnam (consistent with labor/permit rules).
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DL: Tourism.
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TT: Dependents (spouse, parents, children <18) of LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ holders; also immediate family of Vietnamese citizens.
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VR: Visit relatives or personal purpose (non-dependent).
Special case
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SQ: Granted in special short-term situations per law.
Eligibility & documents (what authorities typically expect)
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Passport valid ≥ 6 months beyond entry, with blank pages
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Purpose-matching paperwork (e.g., invite/sponsor letter for DN/HN/LV/NN; investment evidence for ĐT; admission letter for DH; press accreditation for PV; employment approvals for LĐ; proof of relationship for TT/VR)
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Accurate application data (names, passport number, dates, intended port of entry)
Important: Validity, entry type (single/multiple), and permitted length of stay are set under Articles 7 & 9 and implementing regulations. Always read your approval letter.
Compliance essentials (avoid refusals & mismatches)
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One-passport rule: Apply, enter, exit, and register residence with the same passport.
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Port of entry: If your approval lists an entry checkpoint, use it.
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Purpose match: Don’t work on DL/VR; use LĐ or relevant category.
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Host duties: Hotels/landlords/employers must complete temporary residence declarations and keep records up to date.
Common pitfalls (and fixes)
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❌ Tourist visa (DL) used for work duties → apply LĐ or appropriate symbol.
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❌ Conference attendee applies as DL → choose HN for events.
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❌ Investor (ĐT) with insufficient proof → ensure investment/legal documents match current rules.
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❌ Family visit picks TT without qualifying relationship → use VR or supply correct family evidence.
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between DN and HN?
A: DN covers general business with Vietnamese enterprises; HN is specifically for conferences/workshops/meetings.
Q: TT vs. VR for family?
A: TT is for dependents of specified visa holders/Vietnamese citizens; VR is for visiting relatives without dependent status.
Q: Can I switch from DL to LĐ inside Vietnam?
A: Some conversions are regulated; others require exit and re-entry. Confirm for your case before travel.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010 with excellent Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) helps you:
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Pick the correct Article-8 symbol for your purpose (DL, DN, LĐ, ĐT, HN, DH, PV, NN, LV, TT, VR, NG, SQ)
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Pre-check documents (names, ports, relationship/invite proofs) to avoid denials
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Secure fast processing (Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday options) and clear entry-port guidance
Plan with confidence. Start a purpose-matched application at VietnamEntryVisa.com.