Turkmenistan entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 7, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Vietnamese passport holders need a visa to enter Turkmenistan. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa option, so you must obtain a visa from a Turkmen embassy or consulate before you travel. Plan well ahead — the process involves paperwork and can take several weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Turkmenistan visaYou cannot get a visa on arrival or online — you must visit a Turkmen diplomatic mission in advance. Apply at an embassy/consulate | A visa is required for Vietnamese passport holders. You must apply at a Turkmen embassy or consulate before travel; no eVisa is available for your nationality. Obtain the visa prior to departure. | Required |
| Passport validityCheck your passport expiry date — if it's too close, renew before applying for the visa. At least 6 months beyond entry | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry into Turkmenistan. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe border officer needs a clean page to stamp your passport. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp. Ensure no pages are damaged or missing. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketKeep a printed or digital copy of your itinerary handy. Proof of exit from Turkmenistan | Have a confirmed return or onward flight ticket showing you will leave Turkmenistan before your visa expires. Immigration may ask to see it. | Required |
| Proof of fundsNot always checked, but having proof avoids problems at entry. Sufficient for your stay | Be prepared to show evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements, cash, credit cards) to cover your expenses during your stay in Turkmenistan. | Recommended |
| Arrival declarationYou don't need to fill out any special arrival form beyond the standard immigration card. Not required | No arrival declaration is required for Vietnamese passport holders entering Turkmenistan. | Not required |
| eVisa applicationOnly certain nationalities can use the eVisa — Vietnam is not one of them. Not available for Vietnamese citizens | Turkmenistan's eVisa program does not apply to Vietnamese passport holders. Do not attempt an online eVisa application; use the embassy/consulate route instead. | Not required |
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa for Vietnamese citizens
Do not plan to get a visa at the airport or through an online portal — neither is available for Vietnamese passport holders. You must have a visa sticker in your passport before you board your flight. Airlines will not let you board without it.
Start early — the LOI is the bottleneck
The Letter of Invitation must be approved by the Turkmen State Migration Service before you can even apply for the visa. This can take weeks. Contact your hotel or tour operator at least 2 months in advance.
Registration is mandatory within 3 days of arrival
If you don't register with the State Migration Service (usually done by your hotel), you risk fines, detention, or deportation. Confirm that your hotel has registered you before you leave the country.
What happens at the border
1
Arrange your Letter of Invitation
Contact a hotel, tour agency, or business partner in Turkmenistan to obtain an approved LOI. This is the most time-consuming step — it can take 2–4 weeks. Without it, you cannot apply for the visa.
2
Submit your visa application at a Turkmen embassy
Find the nearest Turkmen embassy or consulate (e.g., in Beijing, China, or via a regional embassy). Submit your completed application form, passport, photos, LOI, itinerary, and fee. Some embassies require an in-person appointment; others accept mail-in applications. Confirm the procedure with the embassy directly.
3
Wait for processing
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can be longer. Check with the embassy for current timelines. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.
4
Collect your passport with the visa
Once approved, the embassy will affix the visa sticker into your passport. Verify the dates, name spelling, and validity period before leaving the embassy.
5
Enter Turkmenistan
At Ashgabat International Airport (or land border), present your passport with the visa to immigration. They may ask for your LOI or hotel confirmation — keep copies handy. After entry, you must register with the State Migration Service within 3 days (your hotel usually does this for you).
Download Turkmenistan Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 7, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Transit visa (up to 5 days)
Max stay5 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$35–$55
Requires confirmed onward ticket and LOI if leaving the airport.
Business visa (single or multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry (extendable)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost$100–$300
Requires LOI from a Turkmen company and embassy approval.
Private visa (visiting friends/family)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months
Cost$35–$100
Requires an invitation from a Turkmen citizen approved by the State Migration Service.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry, up to 30 days)Obtainable at Turkmen embassy/consulate; letter of invitation (LOI) required. | $35–$100 (varies by nationality and processing) |
| Letter of invitation (LOI) processingArranged through a Turkmen travel agency or host. | $30–$100 |
| Visa registration (within 3 working days of arrival)Required for all foreign visitors; failure may result in fines. | Free (but must be done by hotel or host) |
| Exit tax (if applicable)Some older visa types may require payment at departure; check with your visa issuer. | Included in visa fee for most visas |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Turkmenistan
Transit visa required
All Vietnamese citizens transiting through Turkmenistan must obtain a transit visa in advance, unless they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within a few hours (but still generally required).
Exceptions & conditions
- Crew members of international flights
- Holders of diplomatic or service passports with bilateral agreements
Transit hubsAshgabat International Airport (ASB)
Health & vaccines for Turkmenistan
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common due to limited sanitation; avoid tap water and street food.
Mosquito-borne diseasesLow risk
Low risk in urban areas, but present in rural regions.
Air pollutionModerate risk
Dust and industrial pollution can aggravate respiratory conditions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk exists in rural areas near borders; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for urban travel.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Ashgabat
State Migration Service of Turkmenistan
1939 Street, Ashgabat
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00
Main office for visa extensions and registration. Bring passport, visa, and hotel registration.
Turkmenbashi
Turkmenbashi Immigration Office
Unknown
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Handles extensions for visitors in the western region.
Practical information for VN travellers
Country basics
CapitalAshgabat
LanguageTurkmen
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 30 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyTurkmenistan manat (TMT)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.5 TMT
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10h
vs Los Angeles+13h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FTypes C and F, standard European plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Turkmenistan does not offer visa-on-arrival for Vietnamese passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a Turkmen embassy or consulate before you travel.
No. The Turkmenistan eVisa system is not available to Vietnamese citizens. You must apply through an embassy or consulate.
The entire process — from obtaining the LOI to visa approval — typically takes 3–6 weeks. The LOI alone can take 2–4 weeks. Start at least 2 months before your planned travel date.
Turkmenistan does not have an embassy in Vietnam. Vietnamese citizens often apply through the Turkmen embassy in Beijing (China) or via a travel agency that handles Turkmen visas. Check with the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the nearest accredited embassy.
Yes. For all visa types, an LOI approved by the Turkmen State Migration Service is required. Your hotel or tour operator must arrange it. Without it, your visa application will be rejected.
Visa fees vary by embassy and visa type. Expect roughly $50–$150 USD. The fee is non-refundable. Confirm the exact amount with the embassy where you apply.
Yes. All foreign visitors must register with the State Migration Service within 3 working days of arrival. Hotels usually do this automatically, but if you're staying in a private residence, you must register yourself. Failure to register can result in fines or deportation.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.