The Embassy and Consulate of Sweden are two important diplomatic agencies but their functions are easily confused. If you are preparing to do related procedures, let Tuong Phat Land help you distinguish clearly in this article. Let’s explore!
1. [Quick comparison] What is the difference between Embassy and Consulate?
Before learning about the Embassy and Consulate of Sweden in Vietnam, let’s clarify the difference between these two agencies with Tuong Phat Land.
| Criteria | Embassy | Consulate |
| Concept | Official diplomatic representative agency of a country in the host country | Consular representative agency in a specific area of the host country |
| Location | Always located in the capital | Located in major cities outside the capital |
| Main function | Comprehensive diplomatic representation such as political, military, economic, cultural and can also hold concurrent consular functions | Administrative support, citizen protection within the assigned area |
| Scope of activities | National or many countries, international organizations | Limited to the designated consular area |
| Field of activities | Broad: visa, politics, diplomacy, defense, trade, culture, … | Narrower: visa support, economy, administrative procedures for citizens |
| Diplomatic nature | Is an official diplomatic agency representing the country | Not a diplomatic agency, administrative, support |
2. Why should you understand the role of the Embassy and Consulate of Sweden in Vietnam?
Vietnam and Sweden have a long-standing and sustainable diplomatic relationship. On January 11, 1969, Sweden was the first Western country to establish relations with Vietnam and wrote meaningful friendship stories. In recent years, the demand for studying, working, settling, traveling and trading between the two countries has increased, leading to a significant increase in the number of people needing to access consular services.
However, in reality, many people do not clearly understand what Embassy and Consulate are, leading to contacting the wrong place, preparing the wrong type of documents or wasting unnecessary travel time. Tuong Phat Land believes that understanding the role of the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi and Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City will help you:
- Know where to handle visa, passport and residence documents
- Know where to only provide basic support or information connection functions;
- Proactively make appointments, prepare required documents and save time.
3. Information about the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam
| Address | Daeha Business Center, 15th Floor, No. 360 Kim Ma Street, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi City
(Former address: Daeha Business Center, 15th Floor, No. 360 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) |
| Phone | +84 24 372 604 00 |
| Fax | +84 24 372 604 10 |
| ambassaden.hanoi@gov.se | |
| Working Hours | 09:00 – 11:00 (Monday – Friday) |
| Note: All visitors must book an appointment in advance. | |
The Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi acts as an official bridge between Swedish citizens and the Swedish government when living, working or traveling in Vietnam. In addition, this is also where Vietnamese people can learn about procedures related to Sweden. Specifically as follows:
- Issuing Swedish passports: Including new issuance, renewal or re-issuance if lost or expired.
- Emergency travel documents: Issued in special cases so that Swedish citizens can return home in time.
- Legalization and authentication of documents: Support for verifying documents used in legal transactions between the two countries.
- Emergency support: If a Swedish citizen has an accident, health problems, legal troubles or loses documents in Vietnam.
- Civil status and nationality procedures: Marriage registration, birth registration for children in Vietnam or procedures for changing personal documents.
- Visa information and guidance: Updated requirements, application process and information you need to know when applying for a visa to Sweden.
4. Information about the Consulate of Sweden in Viet Nam
| Address | 8A/11D1 Thai Van Lung, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
(Former address: 8A/11D1 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) |
| Phone | 028 3519 2334 |
| Fax | +84 28 3519 2337 |
| generalconsulatesweden@gmail.com | |
| Consular Service Hours | 09:00 – 12:00 (Monday – Thursday) |
| Phone Response Hours | 13:00 – 16:00 (Monday – Thursday) |
| Note: All visitors must book an appointment in advance. | |
Not only is it a place to connect the people and the Swedish government, the Consulate of Sweden also plays an important legal support role for Swedish and Vietnamese citizens involved in administrative procedures between the two countries. The main legal services at the Consulate of Sweden are:
- Authentication of documents: Confirming signatures, certifying copies of documents for legal use in Sweden.
- Basic legal support: Initial consultation and lawyer referral if Swedish citizens encounter legal problems in Vietnam.
- Civil status procedures: Support for registration of procedures such as birth, marriage, death for Swedish citizens.
- Inheritance guidance: Support coordination in resolving procedures related to inheritance assets in Vietnam.
See more: How to get Citizen ID card for overseas Vietnamese
5. 5 things you may not know when you need to do procedures at the Embassy or Consulate of Sweden
Working with a diplomatic agency such as the Embassy or Consulate of Sweden can be confusing, especially for the first time. Don’t miss these 5 things if you are in need of procedures at the Embassy or Consulate of Sweden in Vietnam!
5.1. Is there a fee to work at the Embassy or Consulate of Sweden?
Maybe. Some services such as document authentication, legal support or consular advice are charged, ranging from 500,000 – 2,000,000 VND depending on the type of procedure. In particular, the General Consulate may not accept card payments, so you should prepare enough cash to avoid problems during the process.
5.2. When I go to the Consulate of Sweden, can I bring my phone with me?
No. The Consulate of Sweden requires that visitors do not bring electronic devices such as phones or tablets into the working area. In addition, you need to arrive on time for your appointment, bring all originals and copies of documents to avoid wasting processing time.
5.3. Can I visit the Consulate of Sweden without an appointment?
Normally, the Consulate of Sweden only sees visitors with pre-booked appointments. This is especially important during the peak season from June to August or at the end of the year, when the number of people needing assistance increases dramatically and appointments tend to fill up quickly. It is best to contact the Consulate of Sweden proactively!
5.4. What are the steps in applying for a Swedish visa?
Currently, the Consulate of Sweden does not accept visa applications. You need to submit your application at the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi or at an authorized visa application center. The visa application process at the Embassy consists of 5 basic steps:
- Consultation and preparation of complete documents
- Submission of application
- Approval (about 15 – 30 working days)
- Interview (if required)
- Receive visa results and passport
5.5. What do I need to prepare when doing procedures at the Embassy of Sweden?
Depending on the service, you need to bring:
- Passport valid for at least 3 months
- White background photo 3.5×4.5cm, taken within 6 months
- Relevant documents (application, finance, invitation letter, personal profile,…)
In short, the Consulate of Sweden is located in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy of Sweden is located in Hanoi. Each place plays a different role in the diplomatic system. Tuong Phat Land hopes that this article has given you a clearer view of the Embassy and Consulate of Sweden. Don’t forget to follow Tuong Phat Land’s next articles to update more useful information!
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