Visa rules are the first thing to sort out before you book anything else. This guide explains, in plain English, who needs a visa for Vietnam, how the e-visa works, and the small mistakes that get applications delayed or refused.
1. Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
Start by checking whether your passport is on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list. If it is, you can enter for the number of days shown below — as long as you are visiting for tourism, business meetings or to see family, not to work.
| Visa-free stay | Passports |
|---|---|
| 45 days | United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Japan, South Korea |
| 45 days | Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland |
| 30 days | Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Belarus |
| 21 days | Philippines |
| 14 days | Brunei |
| 90 days | Chile, Panama |
- The first group of 45-day countries is valid until 14 March 2028; the second group until 14 August 2028.
- Visa-free stays cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer than your allowance, get an e-visa instead.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
- Immigration may ask to see an onward ticket and where you are staying.
- Phú Quốc island has its own rule: all nationalities can stay up to 30 days visa-free when flying there directly from abroad — but only on the island.
Not on the list? Then you need a visa. For almost every tourist, that means the e-visa.
2. The Vietnam e-visa, explained
Since August 2023, Vietnam’s e-visa is open to citizens of every country. You apply online, receive a PDF, print it, and show it at immigration.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| How long you can stay | Up to 90 days |
| Entry type | Single entry or multiple entry (leave and come back within the visa dates) |
| Government fee | About US$25 single entry / US$50 multiple entry, non-refundable |
| Processing time | Usually around 3 working days, longer around holidays |
| Official website | evisa.gov.vn |
What you need to apply
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date, with blank pages
- A clear scan or photo of your passport’s photo page
- A recent passport-style photo with a plain white background — no glasses, no hat
- Your planned entry date, and the airport, land border or seaport where you will enter
- A card to pay the fee online
How to apply, step by step
- Go to the official portal evisa.gov.vn (watch out for look-alike websites).
- Fill in your details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload your passport page and photo.
- Choose single or multiple entry, your entry date, and your entry port.
- Pay and save your registration code.
- Check the status after about 3 working days, then download and print your e-visa.
3. Common mistakes that delay or ruin an application
- Name or number typos. One wrong letter and your e-visa will not match your passport at the airport.
- Blurry or cropped photos. Glare on the passport page or a photo that is not front-facing are frequent reasons for rejection.
- Wrong entry date or port. You must enter on or after the date you chose, through an eligible entry point.
- Choosing single entry when you need multiple. Planning a side trip to Cambodia or Laos? You will need multiple entry to come back in.
- Applying too late. Leave at least a week before your flight, more around Tết (Lunar New Year) and national holidays.
- Paying a copycat site by mistake. Some sites look official but charge much more without saying who they are.
4. Frequently asked questions
Can I get a visa on arrival?
Not as a normal tourist. Plan to arrive with either a visa-exempt passport or an approved e-visa.
Can I extend my stay inside Vietnam?
Visa-free stays cannot be extended. If you think you may stay longer, choose a 90-day e-visa from the start.
Do I need a print-out?
It is safest to carry a printed copy of your e-visa as well as a copy on your phone.
TWO WAYS TO GET YOUR E-VISA
Do it yourself, or get a hand
Recommended service: eVisa Vietnam Express is a private company, not a government website. Its prices include the government fee plus a service fee. We may earn from this link — it does not change our advice.