Visa Requirements for Traveling to Vietnam
Whether you are planning to bask on the beaches, scramble through the jungles, or explore historic townships, the chances are you will need a visa to visit Vietnam, except for short visits of less than 15 days.
Fortunately, many nationalities can apply for an E-Visa online, which saves time and money.
In recent years, Vietnam has relaxed its entry restrictions. Visitors can now enter without a COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination. Obtaining a visa has also become easier with a dedicated government portal for E-Visa applications. Here’s what you need to know about the entry requirements for Vietnam.
Who Needs a Visa to Visit Vietnam?
Your visa requirements depend on your nationality and the duration of your stay. Citizens of neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Laos can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. Meanwhile, citizens of the Philippines can stay for 21 days, South Koreans and Japanese travelers for 15 days, and citizens from Brunei and Myanmar can stay for 14 days without a visa.
Travelers from Europe
Traveling from Europe? Citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland can visit visa-free for 15 days. Additionally, British, German, French, Spanish, and Russian citizens can stay for 15 days without a visa.
Travelers from Other Regions
For travelers from other parts of Europe and the rest of the world, a visa is necessary. This also applies to those from visa-exempt countries planning to stay longer than their permissible duration or coming for business purposes.
How to Obtain a Visa?
There are three primary methods for obtaining a visa:
- Apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country.
- Apply online for an E-Visa before your trip.
- Use a Visa on Arrival option via a Vietnamese agency.
Validity of Vietnam Visas
Standard tourist visas are valid for either 30 or 90 days. You can choose between a single entry or multiple entries, and extensions within Vietnam are possible for an additional fee.
Special Visa Rules for Phu Quoc Island
If you are visiting Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s tropical hotspot, you can enjoy a visa-free stay for up to 30 days, applicable even to those from non-visa-exempt countries, provided you arrive by air.
Applying for an E-Visa
To apply for an electronic visa, visit the government’s official E-Visa portal. This visa allows a single entry and is valid for 30 days. You can enter through any approved port of entry, and the processing time is three working days. Citizens from 80 countries are eligible for this service.
Applicants must provide a high-resolution digital passport photo and a scan of their passport’s ID pages. Be sure to keep a record of your application registration number.
Applying for a Visa on Arrival
For those landing in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang, you may opt for a Visa on Arrival through an online agency, which involves a two-part payment process. The initial fee covers the online application, while a second fee is collected upon arrival for the visa to be stamped in your passport.
Visa Costs
Visa fees can vary significantly depending on the application method. For a standard 30-day E-Visa, the fee is approximately US$25. Visa on Arrival fees include a pre-approval letter cost and a stamping fee upon entering Vietnam.
Practicalities of Applying for a Visa
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned exit date from Vietnam. In-person applicants must provide passport photos, while online applicants need high-quality digital images. For Visa on Arrival, bring two physical photos for submission during the stamping process.
Extending Your Visa in Vietnam
Extending a tourist visa is feasible within Vietnam, often requiring assistance from a local visa agency. Apply for an extension before your original visa expires. You may extend for 15, 30, or even 60 additional days based on your current visa type.
Extensions are more straightforward to arrange in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Note that extra fees may apply if you process your extension outside the initial location of your arrival.
This article was first published on March 25, 2021, and updated on August 10, 2023.
