Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei

Vietnam is represented in Taiwan by the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (VECO), which has been operating since 1993. It isn’t called an embassy, but for travelers and residents it handles much the same work: visas, documents and support for Vietnamese citizens. Taiwan is home to a large Vietnamese community of workers, students and families, so the office is one of Vietnam’s busiest overseas. This guide covers its address, phone numbers, email and opening hours, plus a few practical tips before you get in touch.

Good news first: most travelers heading to Vietnam for a holiday or a short business trip never need to visit the office. Taiwanese passport holders do need a visa for Vietnam, but the Vietnam e-visa is handled fully online. The office matters most when you need a special type of visa, help with Vietnamese documents, or support as a Vietnamese citizen living in Taiwan.

Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei

The Office is on Songjiang Road in Zhongshan District, central Taipei. Several related units, including the labor management section and the trade office, are located nearby on the same road.

If you live outside Taipei, for example in Taichung, Tainan or Kaohsiung, start with a phone call or email. Many questions can be sorted out without making the trip to the capital.

What Can the Office Help With?

The office handles consular work for both local residents and Vietnamese citizens. Services typically include:

• Vietnam visas issued at the office, 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
• Support for Vietnamese workers, students and families, including labor matters, civil registration and nationality procedures

Do You Need to Visit for a Tourist Visa?

Usually not. Taiwanese passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online without visiting the office 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 office is the better route when your trip doesn’t fit what the e-visa offers, for example certain work, study or other long-term stays. The office 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.
• Go to the right building. General and consular matters are handled at No. 65 Songjiang Road, while labor issues go to the separate section at No. 101.
• Plan around the Lunar New Year. Vietnamese Tet and the Lunar New Year in Taiwan fall at the same time, so the office may close for longer than usual. It may also close for local holidays such as the Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn festivals.
• Mind the time difference. Taiwan is 1 hour ahead of Vietnam all year round.
• Heading only to Phu Quoc? Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island has its own visa-free policy for foreign visitors arriving directly from abroad. If your trip is limited to the island, check whether you need a visa at all before you apply.

Travelers from Taiwan Needing Help While in Vietnam

The Vietnamese office above serves people in Taiwan. If you are already in Vietnam and need help as a traveler from Taiwan, for example with a lost passport or an emergency, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices there:

For life-threatening emergencies such as accidents or robberies, the Hanoi office also runs an emergency line on +84 913 219 986. Travelers in southern Vietnam will usually find the Ho Chi Minh City office the most convenient.