Vietnam Embassy in Chile

Vietnam is represented in Chile by one embassy: the Embassy of Vietnam in Santiago. There are no Vietnamese consulates in Valparaíso, Concepción or any other city, so the embassy handles consular matters for the whole country. Vietnam and Chile first established diplomatic relations back in 1971, and the embassy reopened in Santiago in 2003. This guide is for Chilean travelers, foreign residents in Chile and Vietnamese citizens living there. It covers the embassy’s address, phone number, email and opening hours, plus a few practical tips before you get in touch.

Good news first: most Chilean travelers never need to visit the embassy at all. Under a bilateral agreement between the two countries, Chilean ordinary passport holders can currently visit Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Other nationalities living in Chile can usually apply for a Vietnam e-visa fully online. The embassy matters most when you need a special type of visa, help with Vietnamese documents, or support as a Vietnamese citizen abroad.

Embassy of Vietnam in Santiago

The Embassy is on Avenida Eliodoro Yáñez in Providencia, a lively district in eastern Santiago that is home to many offices and foreign missions. It serves all of Chile.

If you live outside Santiago, start with a phone call or email. Many questions can be sorted out without making the trip to the capital.

What Can the Embassy Help With?

The embassy handles consular work for both foreigners and Vietnamese citizens. Services typically include:

• Vietnam visas issued at the embassy, for travelers whose plans need one
• Visa exemption certificates for overseas Vietnamese and their family members
• Passports and travel documents for Vietnamese citizens
• Notarization and legalization of documents to be used in Vietnam
• Civil registration, citizen protection and emergency support for Vietnamese nationals in Chile

Do You Need to Visit for a Tourist Visa?

Usually not. Chilean ordinary passport holders can currently enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Entry rules can change, so check the latest requirements before you travel. Other nationalities living in Chile can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online without visiting the embassy or posting a passport. You fill in the form, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay, and receive the e-visa by email.

The embassy is the better route when your trip doesn’t fit what visa-free entry or the e-visa offers, for example work, study or other long-term stays. The embassy sets its own document list and fees for these cases, so check with them before you apply.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A little preparation goes a long way with consular offices. Keep these in mind:

• Call or email first. Hours, phone lines and procedures can change, and some services may need an appointment.
• Check your passport validity. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Vietnam.
• Check public holidays on both sides. The embassy may close on Vietnamese national holidays, including several days around Lunar New Year (Tet), and on Chilean holidays such as the Fiestas Patrias in mid-September.
• Mind the time difference. Chile is 11 hours behind Vietnam during the Chilean winter and 10 hours behind during Chilean summer time.
• Count your days. If you’re entering visa-free, plan your trip within the 90-day limit, including your arrival and departure days. Staying longer means you’ll need a visa before you travel.

Chilean Citizens Needing Help While in Vietnam

The Vietnamese embassy above serves people in Chile. If you are already in Vietnam and need help as a Chilean citizen, for example with a lost passport or an emergency, contact Chile’s own embassy there:

The embassy is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Its consular section receives visitors from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and it’s best to book an appointment first. The embassy also covers Laos.