From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“Decisions by the Embassy of France in Hanoi or Consulate-General in HCMC — TLS Contact only collects. Schengen Visa Code legal max 15 calendar days (Article 23); typical processing ~3 weeks for Vietnamese applicants; can extend to 45 days. Visa fee €90 short-stay, non-refundable on refusal. Reduced or exempt fees may apply for some applicant categories (e.g. researchers on official invitations) per Article 16.”
What you need
- You must show: an invitation letter from the French/EU event host or organizer, detailed information about the event (organizer, dates, location, programme, applicant's role), EUR 30,000 medical travel insurance valid in all Schengen states, sufficient funds, employer authorisation for the trip (if employed), and Vietnam-side ties (employment, family, property) sufficient to evidence return. The visa application itself is filed online at france-visas.gouv.fr and submitted at TLS Contact Hanoi or HCMC.
Checklist
24- Schengen visa application form (Cerfa 14076-05) — completed online and signed *
- Two recent identical biometric photos (35mm × 45mm, ICAO standard) *
- Original passport (valid 3+ months after planned Schengen exit; 2+ blank visa pages; issued ≤ 10 years ago) *
- Passport copies — bio-data page + all pages with previous Schengen visas or visa-relevant stamps *
- Vietnamese documents — notarised translation into English or French *
- Travel medical insurance — minimum EUR 30,000 coverage, valid in all Schengen states, covering the entire intended stay *
02
Event evidence
- Invitation letter from the French/EU event organizer or host *
- Event information — programme, dates, location, organizer profile *
- Notoriety evidence — publications, prizes, prior festival/competition participation (for participants, not spectators)
03
Flight and accommodation
- Flight evidence — search-engine printout showing availability for the planned dates (NOT a paid reservation) *
- Accommodation evidence — paid hotel reservation covering the full stay, OR a private-stay attestation (attestation d'accueil) *
04
Vietnam-side financial ties
- Recent bank statements — 3 months, showing balance and transaction history *
- Property or tax evidence — house/apartment title, property tax, or recent personal income tax return (where applicable)
05
If applicant is employed
- Employer letter — confirming employment, position, salary, leave authorisation for the travel dates, expected return *
- Payslips — last 3 months *
06
If applicant is self-employed or business owner
- Business registration certificate (Giấy chứng nhận đăng ký kinh doanh) *
- Recent business tax return / corporate tax filing *
07
If applicant is retired
- Pension or retirement income evidence — pension book or recent statements *
08
If applicant is a student
- School / university enrollment certificate and study-leave authorisation *
09
Vietnam-side family ties
- Vietnamese household / residence registration (Xác nhận cư trú / VNeID Level 2 / Căn cước chip) *
- Marriage certificate — if travelling without spouse or visiting spouse
10
Fees
- Visa fee — EUR 90 (standard short-stay; reductions/exemptions per Article 16) *
- TLS Contact service fee — EUR 25 per application (paid to the vendor at appointment) *
- TLS Contact appointment confirmation *
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