Vietnam has emerged as a popular tourist destination with its vast and vivid landscape and rich history. Vietnam is not just a country with a rich culture and history; it is one of the best tourist destinations in the world having so much diversities in each of its cities. Travel from Belgium to Vietnam can be an absolute delight for all types of travelers considering what the city has to offer.

Let’s explore the important aspect to keep in mind before traveling from Belgium to Vietnam.

How to travel from Belgium to Vietnam?
The cheapest and easy way to get to Vietnam from Belgium is to fly which takes around 17 hours. The average flight cost ranges from $312- $650. You can also take a train to Frankfurt and then fly to Vietnam to reach the country within 15 hours. If you want to drive all the way to Vietnam from Belgium, it will take approximately 6 days and 10 hours to cover a distance of 13,041 km. You can also take a cruise to reach Vietnam by sea via Mekong Delta.

Visa procedures for Belgian Citizens
Citizens of Belgium need a valid visa to visit Vietnam either as a tourist or for business purposes. You can apply for a Vietnam visa through any Vietnam embassy in your country, and it is the best option for those who have a Vietnam consulate or embassy in your area. Additionally, if you are traveling by land, this is the only option you have to obtain a Vietnam visa.

If you want to take a cruise ship, you need to obtain a loose-leaf visa to arrive at any Vietnam seaport. The cost for visa ranges from $25-$40 depending on the cruise operators you choose. Da Nang, Hue, Chan May port, Phu My Port in Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay Port, Nha Trang port, Cai Lan Port, etc., are some of the cruise ports in Vietnam.

Try visa on arrival the easiest way to enter Vietnam
The most convenient way for Belgians to visit Vietnam is by obtaining ‘visa on arrival,' which is an electronic visa, processed online and most likely to have the intimation within 2-5 working days. Vietanm visa on arrival works only if you are choosing to travel by air.

The whole process of visa application can complete in easy steps. The first step is to choose the official website or a reputed website to apply for a visa on arrival, or you can also check with your travel operator to see whether they offer the service of visa on arrival application. If you are applying it on your own, fill the online form with your details like name, arrival date, passport number, etc.

Once you apply and make the processing fee, the emigration team will process your visa. After 3-5 business days, you will get the pre-approved visa letter via email. On arrival at Vietnam airport, you can present your visa approval letter and pay the visa stamping fee at the immigration office.

When to apply for a visa on arrival
The earliest date you must apply for a visa approval letter is 12 months before the arrival date. If you wish to travel in June 2019, you may apply from 1st June 2018, and the visa would be valid from the date you opt for on the form and not from the time you applied.

Visa on arrival fees
To obtain a visa on arrival, you will have to pay 2 fees-one is the visa letter fee and the other one is the stamping fee. Visa letter service fee required to pay at the time of online application and stamping fee has to pay at the Vietnam airport.

The cost will depend on the type of visa you are applying for and how fast you want the service to be delivered. The stamping fee is $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry visa and can pay by cash in USD, or VND and cards or by cards.

Must See Spots in Vietnam
Vietnam is the perfect mix of the past, present and future, an astonishing blend of cultural diversity and natural highlights. The scenery ranges from verdant paddy fields to jagged peaks, and there are lots of choices to include in your Vietnam itinerary. While the rural areas brim with a fantastic backdrop, the big cities breathe with vibrant contemporary life and give ample opportunities to get stuck in Vietnam's mystic beauty.

Top 10 must-see locations in Vietnam

Halong Bay
Packed with jagged limestone, Halong Bay is one for the world heritage sites and Vietnam's biggest attractions. The bay holds much of the out-of-the-world magic conjured by the magnificent islands and islets in the midst of gorgeous emerald waters. The most intimidating scenery is the spellbinding sea views, and it is worth investing in an overnight tour to see Halong Bay’s iconic views.

The bay is home to plenty of caves that has weird stalagmites, mammoth caverns, and stalactites. If you want to spoil yourself a bit, include sumptuous luxury cruise tours in your Vietnam itineraryto explore the bay. While a luxury cruise can cost you around $300-$350 for a cabin, there are budget cruises that start from $60 and goes up to $130.

Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is a high-octane city of culture and commerce that drives Vietnam forward with its pulsating energy. It has a rich history dating back to centuries, and today it is the financial hub of Vietnam.  Ho Chi Minh City is a famous tourist destination due to its classic French architecture, fantastic culture, ornate temples, and pagodas. From the most elegant hotels to budget accommodations, the classiest of restaurants to the tastiest street food stalls, the city has a lot to offer.

Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels is an integral part of the massive war museum in Ho Chi Minh city to give a glimpse of what Vietnam went through during its war period. Most of the tour operators offera tour to Cu Chi tunnels as a significant part of the itinerary. The tour provides a sneak-peek at the underground life of the Vietnamese army.  It is a complex underground construction, spread over 120km of underground tunnels, living areas, storage facilities, command centers, trapdoors, etc.

During the resistance against South Vietnam and American forces, the Viet Cong soldiers expanded these tunnels and included efficient air filtration systems to survive the bombing attacks. It is one of the most iconic attractions you must include in your Vietnam itineraryto enjoy plenty of activities traversing the narrow routes of the underground tunnel.

Hue
The formal imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in central Vietnam. If you are interested in the ancient culture of a country and historic royal monuments, the town of Hue is a must-include one in yourVietnam itinerary.

The town has an apparent historical vibe with complex houses, pavilions museums, shops, etc. Take a motorbike tour to discover the ‘real’ Vietnam in Hue. Some of the recommended spots to visit in Hue are the Perfume River, the Tomb of The Emperors, the Imperial Citadel, Thanh Toan bridge, Thien Mu pagoda, etc. It is one of the cities with scenic beauty in Vietnam, and even if you stick to a standard tour, there are plenty of options to explore.

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is a picturesque tourist center surrounded by caves, mountains, underground rivers, and tropical forests. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage that is home to hundreds of cave systems, and has many adventure tour options, which can meet every traveler's expectations. You can travel to Phong Nha from any nearby cities by bus or taxi. The national park is quite small, and you can explore it on a motorbike, which will cost around VND 100,000 per day.

My Son
From being Vietnam's most important religious and intellectual center of the Champa Kingdom to being occupied by the French in the 19th century, My Son is a popular heritage site that was shaped by the Cham rulers centuries ago. Travelers from around the world get attracted to the historic ruins,  monuments, and ancient temples besides the gorgeous jungle scenery.

It is a protected UNESCO site.  My son heritage site has an entry fee of VND100,000, and the best way to see around is to take a motorbike tour. Add My son in your Vietnam itineraryto explore the Champa museums, temple groups, traditional dancing displays, Champa towers along with kayaking trips on My Son lake.

Hoi An
The most favorite destination of backpackers in Vietnam is the Hoi An. Boasting the grand architecture and beguiling riverside settings that accentuates its heritage, it is a perfect destination to add to your Vietnam itinerary. Hoi An not only provides you exciting travel experience, but the curses of pollution and traffic are also almost absent in this town. Hoi An is also home to some of the laid-back scenic locations and pristine beaches. It offers the old charm of an ancient city with rich cultural essence, rice paddies, stunning beaches, serene river banks, and yes, amazing food too!  

Sapa Countryside
Home to several ethnic minorities, Sapa town in Northern Vietnam, is a hilltop retreat in Vietnam serving a central point for all adventurous tours. One of the significant activities, you can do at Sapa is the trekking to the gorgeous mountainous landscape. Add a Sapa trekking tour in yourVietnam itineraryand negotiate down the valley through the forest, across the rivers to visit the nearby villages.

The combination of activities in Sapa is sure to bring in a unique sense of adventure. As the weather will have a considerable impact on the journey make sure that you avoid traveling during the rainy season. Though an ethnic town, Sapa has a quite range of accommodation options from traditional hotels to beautiful rustic homestays. If you want to explore the local experience truly, make sure you stay in budget hotels.

Hanoi
The capital city of Hanoi is the best place to understand the Vietnamese culture, people, lifestyle and cuisine. It is a bustling city with lots of sights to see and food to taste with a rich history dating back to thousands of years. You can see some beautiful remnants like baguettes and cathedrals of which mostly got damaged during the war against French. No matter what package you choose, make sure Hanoi is part of your Vietnam literary. While Hanoi is a bustling capital city with plenty of amenities, you would be surprised to realize it is a quite budget-friendly destination.  

Nha Trang
Nha Trang is an underrated pearl of Vietnam with picture-perfect sandy beaches, majestic mountains, towering skylines. It is a coastal city in the south-central part of the country with several beach retreats offers plenty of options for affluent adventures and beach lovers. It's not just a coastal city, from cultural winders to ancient ruins; it has everything to make your dream vacation exciting.

Vietnam tour packages
Vietnam is one of the most beautiful travel destinations for Belgian travelers. With numerous tourists’ spots to visit, things to do, nightlife to explore and other activities to do, the country draws travelers from across the globe. While you can DIY your itinerary, it would be better to book a tour if you are a first-time visitor or you want a customized tour. Here are some of the Vietnam tour packages you can choose from to add in your Vietnam itinerary.

Vietnam family tour
If you are planning for a family vacation to Vietnam with a group of 3 or above, you can choose for a family travel package. It includes leisure activities, shopping, site seeing, fun activities, activities for children that allows you to spend quality time with your family.

Honeymoon tour packages
With plenty of gorgeous scenic towns and cities with picturesque background and pristine beaches, Vietnam is beguiling to the new weds or couples. Vietnam makes an ideal honeymoon vacation spot for anyone looking for a romantic tourist destination. Sapa, Halong Bay, Mai Chau, Phu Quoc are some of the destinations included in most of the Vietnam itineraries.

Historical package tour
Being a country with a rich history and culture, you can find many historical package tours to Vietnam. The tour covers some of the most famous historical sites in Vietnam itinerary to explore and understand the culture and history of the country.

Vietnam adventure tour
Vietnam is a perfect destination for the adventurous travel experience. With many natural wonders, caves, UNESCO world heritage sites and beaches, the Vietnam adventure tour offers lots of scope for adventurous activities. A typical adventure tour package includes activities like cave expedition, trekking, kayaking, etc. If you crave for an adrenaline rush, you must book an adventure tour to Vietnam.

Conclusion
With plenty of sights to see and experiences to be enjoyed, Vietnam is a perfect holiday destination from Belgium. Due to the ease of access and convenient visa procedures, travel from Belgium to Vietnam is a pleasure for Belgian travelers. Hope these travel tips and information about the visa procedures gave an insight on what to expect in your Vietnam trip. If you are a first-time visitor or find it overwhelming to plan things, you can hire a reputed tour operator in Vietnam, to help you with creating the best tour package for you.