Vietnam Visa 2026: E-Visa, Requirements, Fees & Latest Update

In Short: Vietnam Visa Rules at a Glance

For a tourist trip to Vietnam, most travelers fall into one of two situations: either they are eligible for visa exemption, or they need to apply for a Vietnam e-visa before traveling.

The official Vietnam e-visa fee is:

Processing usually takes around 3 to 5 working days, but it is safer to apply at least 7 to 10 working days before departure.

An e-visa marked “in processing” is not a valid travel document. You should only travel once your visa has been approved and downloaded.

Before submitting the application, check your full name, passport number, date of birth, entry date and border gate carefully. Small mistakes can cause problems at airline check-in or immigration.

Do You Need a Visa for Vietnam?

Whether you need a visa for Vietnam depends on your passport and travel plan.

Some nationalities can enter Vietnam without a visa for a limited period. Others need to apply for a visa before arrival. If your trip is longer than the visa-free period, you will also need a suitable visa.

In most travel situations, the rule is simple:

For ordinary tourism, the e-visa is usually the most practical solution.

Vietnam Visa Exemption: Who Can Enter Without a Visa?

Vietnam grants visa exemption to citizens of certain countries for a limited stay. This means you can enter Vietnam without applying for a visa, as long as your stay does not exceed the allowed duration and you meet the usual entry conditions.

According to the latest government update dated 11 August 2025, citizens of the following countries can benefit from a 45-day visa exemption for Vietnam, valid from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028:

France, Switzerland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Vietnam also grants visa exemption to citizens of several other countries, including Russia, Japan and South Korea, under separate policies.

If your nationality is visa-exempt and your stay is shorter than the allowed period, you may not need a visa. For stays of more than 45 days, a visa is required. In most tourist cases, this means applying for a Vietnam e-visa.

Vietnam E-Visa: Validity, Fees and Processing Time

The Vietnam e-visa is an electronic visa issued online by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. It allows travelers to apply before departure without visiting an embassy or consulate.

Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam has made e-visas available to citizens of all countries and territories. The e-visa can be valid for up to 90 days and may be issued for single or multiple entry.

This makes it suitable for:

• Classic 10 to 15-day Vietnam trips
• Longer journeys of 3 weeks or more
• Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries
• Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia tours
• Trips requiring exit and re-entry into Vietnam
• Northern Vietnam routes including Hanoi, Cao Bang, Ba Be Lake or Ha Giang

The official fee is 25 USD for a single-entry e-visa and 50 USD for a multiple-entry e-visa. Payment is made online during the application process.

The usual processing time is around 3 to 5 working days. However, it is better to apply earlier, especially during weekends, Vietnamese public holidays or peak travel seasons. If your application needs correction because of an error in your name, passport number or other details, processing may take longer, sometimes from 1 to 2 weeks.

How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa Online

The Vietnam e-visa application is completed online through the official government portal. To avoid confusion with private visa service websites, use the official Vietnam e-visa portal and avoid unofficial-looking pages that charge extra service fees without clearly saying so.

Before starting the e-visa form, prepare:

• Passport valid for at least six months
• Clear photo or scan of the passport information page
• Recent portrait photo in JPG or JPEG format
• Portrait photo sized 4x6 cm, white background, no glasses
• International debit or credit card for online payment
• Valid email address
• First hotel or temporary address in Vietnam
• Planned arrival and departure dates
• Intended entry and exit points in Vietnam

The application process is usually straightforward:

1. Go to the official Vietnam e-visa portal.
2. Choose the application for foreigners outside Vietnam.
3. Upload your portrait photo and passport page.
4. Fill in personal information exactly as shown in the passport.
5. Enter travel details, including entry date, exit date and border gates.
6. Choose single entry or multiple entry.
7. Review all details carefully.
8. Pay the visa fee online.
9. Save the registration code.
10. Check the application status and download the e-visa once approved.

After submitting the application, a registration code will be sent by email. Keep it carefully, as you need it to check the result and download the approved e-visa.

Once approved, print your e-visa and keep a digital copy on your phone. You may need to show it at airline check-in and again when entering Vietnam.

Single or Multiple Entry: Which One Should You Choose?

This depends on your itinerary.

A single-entry e-visa allows you to enter Vietnam once. Once you leave Vietnam, that visa is no longer valid for re-entry.

A multiple-entry e-visa allows you to enter and leave Vietnam more than once during the validity period.

Choose single entry if:

• Vietnam is your only destination
• No border crossing during the trip
• One continuous itinerary, such as Hanoi, Cao Bang and Ha Long Bay

Choose multiple entry if:

• Return to Vietnam after Cambodia, Laos or Thailand
• International arrival and departure both in Vietnam, with another country in between
• Uncertain itinerary that may require re-entry

For travelers combining Vietnam with Cambodia or Laos, multiple entry is often safer if you return to Vietnam for your departure flight. Many travelers forget that leaving Vietnam cancels a single-entry visa.

Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes to Avoid

Vietnam visa issues often come from small mistakes that could have been avoided.

Before submitting your application, check:

• Full name exactly as shown in the passport
• Correct passport number
• Date of birth entered accurately
• Nationality and gender correctly selected
• Realistic entry date
• Correct entry and exit points
• Clear portrait photo
• Passport page not blurry or cropped
• Passport valid for at least six months
• Application submitted through the official government portal
• Enough time before departure for processing

Name order is one of the most common sources of confusion. Your full name should match your passport exactly. Do not remove middle names, use a nickname or rely only on the spelling shown on your flight ticket.

Another common mistake is choosing the wrong border gate. If you leave Vietnam by bus to Cambodia, do not choose an airport as your exit point. Choose the correct land border crossing from the list.

Visa on Arrival, Embassy Visa and Special Cases

Many travelers still search for “Vietnam visa on arrival”, but this option is often misunderstood.

Visa on arrival does not mean that you can simply land in Vietnam and ask for a visa at the airport without preparation. In most cases, it requires a pre-approval letter arranged before travel. Without this letter, the airline may refuse to let you board.

For ordinary tourism, the e-visa is usually simpler and safer because the process is completed before departure.

An embassy or consulate visa may still be useful for complex cases, business travel, work purposes or visa types not covered by the e-visa system. Requirements may include the NA1 visa application form, two passport photos, a passport with at least two blank pages, and payment of the visa fee. Processing time usually varies from 1 to 2 weeks depending on the embassy or consulate.

For most tourists, however, the Vietnam e-visa is now the most convenient option.

Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information: Does It Replace a Visa?

No. The Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information declaration does not replace a visa.

Since 2026, Vietnam has introduced a Pre-Arrival Information declaration for foreign travelers at selected airports. This online form is free and gives travelers a QR code to present at immigration.

It has been required at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City since 15 April 2026, and at Phu Quoc Airport since 1 June 2026.

If you need a visa for Vietnam, you must still prepare your visa or e-visa separately. The Pre-Arrival Information form is an additional entry step, not a substitute for a visa.

Because fake websites may appear, travelers should only use the official Pre-Arrival Information system provided by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.

FAQ: Real Questions from Travelers

My e-visa is still “in processing” and my flight is tomorrow. Can I board?

This is risky. A pending e-visa is not a valid visa. Airlines usually check entry documents before boarding. If your visa has not been approved, you may be refused boarding.

Contact your airline immediately and check your application status through the official system. Emergency visa services may exist, but results are never guaranteed.

I am visa-exempt for 45 days, but my return ticket is later. Is that a problem?

It can be. If your ticket shows that you will stay in Vietnam longer than the visa-free period, the airline or immigration officer may ask for proof that you will leave Vietnam before the exemption expires.

Prepare an onward ticket to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or another destination.

Can I enter Vietnam before my e-visa starts?

No. You can only enter Vietnam during the validity period shown on the approved e-visa. If your e-visa starts on 10 October, do not plan to arrive on 9 October.

Can I combine visa exemption and e-visa?

Do not assume that visa exemption and e-visa can be combined automatically during the same stay. If your trip is longer than the visa-free period, the simplest solution is often to enter Vietnam directly with an e-visa from the beginning.

What happens if I overstay my Vietnam visa?

Overstaying a Vietnam visa can lead to fines, administrative procedures and future entry difficulties. As a reference, fines may range from 25 USD for a very short overstay to higher amounts for longer overstays.

If you realize your visa is about to expire, contact the relevant immigration authority or seek reliable local guidance as early as possible.

Final Checklist Before Traveling to Vietnam

Before your flight, make sure you have:

• Passport valid for at least six months
• Visa exemption, e-visa or other valid entry document confirmed
• Approved e-visa downloaded, not just an application in processing
• Personal details matching the passport
• Entry date within the visa validity period
• Correct airport, seaport or land border selected
• Printed e-visa
• Digital copy saved on your phone
• Return or onward ticket, if relevant
• First hotel address in Vietnam
• Pre-Arrival Information declaration completed, if required
• Latest entry requirements checked before departure

Vietnam visa rules are not difficult, but they must be followed carefully. Preparing your documents early helps you avoid unnecessary stress at the airport and start your trip smoothly.