The Embassy of India in Vietnam has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals visiting the country, highlighting two major concerns: the visa-free entry to Phu Quoc Island and the potential complications in case of passport loss.Phu Quoc Island, a popular destination, offers visa-free entry for certain foreign nationals, including Indians. However, the advisory warns that this exemption is limited solely to the island and does not extend to mainland Vietnam. This means that Indian travelers cannot visit other major cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City without obtaining a valid Vietnamese visa.

The Embassy cautioned that unforeseen circumstances, such as medical emergencies or flight disruptions, could require travelers to leave the island. In such cases, without a visa for mainland Vietnam, they could face challenges such as delays in accessing medical care or immigration-related complications. Therefore, Indian nationals are advised to obtain a Vietnamese visa even if their travel is limited to Phu Quoc.

The advisory addresses the issue of lost passports while traveling in Vietnam. In such situations, Indian nationals must immediately file a police report and submit it to the Embassy or Consulate. While emergency travel documents can typically be issued within a day, travelers must still wait for an exit permit from Vietnamese authorities, which may take three to five working days, potentially longer in some cases.