How to distinguish Embassy and Consulate?

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Have you ever heard about Embassy and Consulate? These are words that you often see when applying for a visa to any country, because of submitting visa application to that country’s Embassy or Consulate. So what is the Embassy? What is Consulate? Why does it have function to issue a visa to an applicant?

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What is an Embassy?

The Embassy is a diplomatic organization of one country in another country, it is established when two countries have diplomatic relations and agree to establish diplomatic agencies. The head of the Embassy is the Ambassador, followed by Counselor, Secretary,…

The Embassy is always located in the capital of a country. Therefore, all Embassies of other countries in Vietnam are placed in Hanoi and the Embassy of Vietnam is always located in the capital neighbor countries as well.

Besides the Embassy, we often hear about another agency called the Consulate. So what is the Consulate? What’s the difference between them?

Both the Embassy and the Consulate refer to Government representations in a foreign country. A country will have only one Embassy in another nation whereas it will have a number of consulates in various cities. That means, Consulate under control of Embassy. The head of the Embassy is the Ambassador, who has authority over the country in matters such as visa, economy, culture, politics,… The Ambassador will be responsible for reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country.

While the Embassy handle major diplomatic tasks, Consulates deal with minor diplomatic tasks. The number of Consulates will depend on the requirement. The main task of Consulates is to foster trade and maintain commercial links between the two nations or to issue relating to visas, passports and also deal with tourists and expatriates.

Promoting trade like helping companies in the host nation to invest in its country and vice versa, facilitating import and export between the two countries are the major role of the Consulate.

The Embassy will inform its government about all significant social, political, military, economical and many events happening in the host nation, while Consulate reports to its government about significant deaths, births, marriages and many events.

Embassy takes responsibility for preparing treaties between the two nations and also in arranging official visits.

The consulate also takes responsibility for informing its nationals all security problems. Consulates are entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of its nationals of detention or arrest.

Although both Embassy and Consulate represent for their government in a foreign country, they have completely diverse responsibilities and diverse roles to play.

Indian passport holders can apply for Vietnam Visa in Mexico, by directly go to Consulate or Embassy of Vietnam in Mexico. When they are in Vietnam and have any problem, they can contact Vietnam Embassy in Mexico.

Vietnamese citizens in particular and other foreigners who wish to apply for a visa can also apply to the Indian Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam for approval.

Address to know

Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico

Address: Sierra Ventana No 255, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, CP. 11000 D.F. Mexico
Phone: (52.55) 5540-1632
Fax: (52-55)-5540-1612 – (52-55)-5520-8689 (Consular)
Email: vietnam.mx@mofa.gov.vn