Vietnam Embassy in North Korea

Vietnam is represented in North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK) by one embassy: the Embassy of Vietnam in Pyongyang. There are no Vietnamese consulates elsewhere in the country, so the embassy handles all consular matters for North Korea. Vietnam is one of a relatively small number of countries that keep a resident embassy in Pyongyang, reflecting diplomatic ties between the two countries that go back to 1950. This guide is for North Korean citizens planning travel to Vietnam, foreign residents in Pyongyang and Vietnamese citizens living there. It covers the embassy’s address and contact details, plus a few practical tips before you get in touch.

Travel between North Korea and Vietnam usually involves more planning than most routes, so the embassy is often the first point of contact. It can help with visas, Vietnamese documents and support for Vietnamese citizens in the country.

Embassy of Vietnam in Pyongyang

The Embassy is on Munsu Street in Taedonggang District, the area on the east bank of the Taedong River where most foreign embassies in Pyongyang are located. It serves all of North Korea.

Phone and internet connections to and from North Korea can be limited, so allow extra time to get in touch. Vietnamese citizens who can’t reach the embassy directly can use the citizen protection hotline run by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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
• Passports and travel documents for Vietnamese citizens
• Notarization and legalization of documents to be used in Vietnam
• Civil registration for Vietnamese citizens
• Citizen protection and emergency support for Vietnamese nationals in North Korea

How Do You Get a Visa for Vietnam?

Visa rules depend on your passport type and the purpose of your trip, so North Korean citizens should check with the embassy before making travel plans. Vietnam’s e-visa system is also available online and can be a convenient option where it fits your trip. You fill in the form, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay, and receive the e-visa by email.

For official visits, work, study or other long-term stays, the embassy is usually the right place to apply. It sets its own document list and fees for these cases, so contact them well before your planned departure.

Practical Tips Before You Go

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

• Contact the embassy early. Communication can take longer than usual, so start any application or enquiry well ahead of your travel date.
• Check public holidays on both sides. The embassy may close on Vietnamese national holidays, including several days around Lunar New Year (Tet), and on North Korean national holidays.
• Mind the time difference. North Korea is 2 hours ahead of Vietnam all year round.
• Plan your route. There are no regular direct flights between Pyongyang and Vietnam, so most journeys connect through a third country. Make sure your documents cover any transit stops along the way.
• Bring originals and copies. For any in-person service, carry your passport, photocopies and passport photos, plus any supporting papers the embassy asks for.

North Korean Citizens Needing Help While in Vietnam

The Vietnamese embassy above serves people in North Korea. If you are already in Vietnam and need help as a North Korean citizen, contact your country’s embassy there:

The embassy in Hanoi is the main point of contact for North Korean citizens anywhere in Vietnam.