Vietnam Visa Guide 2026 — E-Visa, Requirements & How to Apply

The e-visa (electronic visa) is the default entry option for citizens of most countries. Key facts:

Validity: Up to 90 days per entry
Type: Single or multiple entry
Cost: USD 25 (single entry) / USD 50 (multiple entry)
Processing time: 3 working days (sometimes faster)
Where to apply: The official portal is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — beware of third-party sites that charge extra fees

The e-visa replaced the older 30-day single-entry visa and is now valid at all international airports, seaports, and most land borders. You receive a PDF approval letter which you present alongside your passport at immigration.

Requirements:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date
- A passport-style photo (digital)
- Credit or debit card to pay the fee
- Your intended entry and exit dates and points

Citizens of certain countries can enter Vietnam without any visa for a limited number of days. As of 2025, exempted nationalities include:

30 days (no visa required): Citizens of most Western European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria), plus Australia, Canada, USA, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and several others.

21 days: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei (ASEAN bloc)

Unlimited (ASEAN): Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar — no visa required

Important: Visa exemption rules change periodically. Always check with the official Vietnam immigration website or your country's embassy before booking. The rules that applied two years ago may no longer be valid.

Step 1 — Go to the official portal
Access evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (look for the "Apply for E-Visa" button). Avoid third-party sites that charge 2–3× the official fee.

Step 2 — Fill in the form
Enter your personal details, passport number, nationality, planned entry point (airport or border), intended travel dates, and upload your photo.

Step 3 — Pay the fee
USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry. Accepts most international cards.

Step 4 — Wait for approval
Usually 3 working days. You will receive an email with a PDF approval letter and a visa sticker page to print or store on your phone.

Step 5 — Enter Vietnam
Present your passport and visa approval letter at immigration. The border officer will stamp your passport — simple.

Tips:
- Apply at least 7 days before travel (buffer for delays)
- Double-check your name and passport number before submitting — errors can invalidate the visa
- The entry point on your e-visa must match where you actually enter — you can change it before travel by contacting immigration

The visa on arrival (VOA) is a different system sometimes confused with the e-visa. It was more common before 2023.

With VOA, you obtain a pre-approval letter from a Vietnam travel agency online before departure, then collect your physical visa sticker at the airport upon arrival. This system:
- Only works at major international airports (not land borders)
- Requires paying a stamping fee (USD 25–50) on arrival in cash
- Is now largely redundant for most nationalities since the e-visa covers the same entry types at lower cost

The VOA remains relevant for travellers who need to enter Vietnam on short notice and can't wait for e-visa processing, or for certain nationalities with restricted e-visa access.

E-visa extension: Vietnam officially allows a one-time extension of up to 90 additional days on an e-visa. Apply through the same immigration portal or at a local immigration office before your current visa expires.

Border run: Some travellers exit to a neighbouring country (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand) and re-enter on a fresh visa. This works but is less reliable than it used to be — immigration officers have discretion to deny re-entry.

Long-stay options:
- Business visa (DN): For those with a sponsoring Vietnamese business. Renewable annually.
- Investor visa: For those making significant investment in Vietnam.
- Temporary residence card (TRC): For long-term residents (1–2 year renewable). Requires a sponsor.

For most tourists, the 90-day e-visa with one extension (180 days total) covers even the longest trips.

The Vietnam e-visa is accepted at most official land border crossings. Popular ones include:

- Moc Bai (Vietnam–Cambodia, near HCMC) — busy, well-organised
- Lao Cai (Vietnam–China) — the main crossing for Sapa visitors coming from Kunming
- Nam Can / Xa Mat (Vietnam–Cambodia) — quieter alternatives
- Lao Bao (Vietnam–Laos, near Hue)

Arrival tips:
- Have your visa documents (passport + e-visa PDF) ready in print or on your phone
- Keep some USD cash for any unexpected fees
- The immigration queue at busy airports (HCMC Tan Son Nhat, Hanoi Noi Bai) can be 30–60 minutes — factor this into connection times
- Do not stamp your passport at unofficial "helpers" inside the terminal — always use official immigration counters