Foreigners wishing to apply for visa to enter Vietnam will be charged with higher fees as of the beginning of next year, according to a new regulation issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Under the rule that takes effect on January 1, 2013, the fee for applying a single-entry visa will be increased from US$25 to $45, applicable to foreigners and those of Vietnamese origins holding foreign passports.

The rate for multi-entry visa will also be hiked to $65 for a period of less than one month, $95 for less than six months, and finally, $135 for a period of above six months. The current charges for the latter two periods are $50 and $100.