With Vietnam firmly on the global map as a tourist destination, you, like many travelers around the world, are probably pretty darned keen to check out some of Vietnam’s wondrous must-sees.
However, before you can start thinking about packing that bag, you might want to check whether you are going to need a visa to enter Vietnam.
To sum it all up, things are certainly a lot easier than they used to be, especially since 2017, and even more so after the nightmare of Covid, with new, more relaxed travel regulations that ensure nationals of certain countries can now travel under a “visa exemption” that allows them to stay in Vietnam for a limited number of days. See the sections below for more!
This article includes the following sections:
– The FOUR main ways to get a visa for Vietnam
– What type of Vietnam visa do I need?
– Can I get my visa extended?
– What happens if I overstay my visa?
The FOUR main ways to get a visa for Vietnam
Visa exemption for Vietnam
If you hate sorting visas out and you’re looking to do Vietnam in 2-3 weeks (we promise you’ll need more!) AND you’re from Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, or the UK, you’re automatically eligible for a visa exemption for up to 45-days! That’s right, no visa needed if you plan on doing a trip up to a max of 45 days! Most Asian countries (except China) get between 14 – 30 days, while if you’re from Chile or Panama, you’re in luck, you get a FREE 90-day exemption!
E-visa for Vietnam
It’s now possible for all countries to get an E-visa for 90 days. The visa rules were upgraded in 2023 (see this official government confirmation), meaning you can now apply online for a single entry visa ($25) or a multi-entry visa ($50). For a full list of countries and instructions on getting the E-Visa, see our guide here.
E-visa applications are usually processed within three business days and confirmation or rejection is sent via email. Progress can be tracked online via the website and applications will require that the necessary documentation and photographs are scanned. Payment is also made electronically online.
NOTE: Be aware that the form to apply is a little clunky, and the language used not the easiest to understand – read it through carefully and make sure you’ve got all your details entered correctly. Double-check. Triple-check. If not, when you try flying into Vietnam you’ll find you probably won’t even be allowed onto the flight…
Vietnam Visa On Arrival
If you’re not on the “lucky list” of eligible nations, then you’re going to be looking at a VOA (Visa On Arrival). There are a number of online services that can assist you – basically, you’re applying for an approval letter, which you then take with you to Vietnam (so start the process at least 5-7 working days before you fly). Upon arrival, you hand in the letter and get a visa stamp (which you will have to pay for – as far as we are aware, it will cost $25 for a single entry visa). We can recommend using this site (we paid $17 for the approval letter); there are other sites that do it for as little as $6, but shop around and remember that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
One thing to note: you’ll get an email with an attachment, pretty much like the one on the right. Just don’t be surprised to see your name accompanied by another bunch of tourist names! It seems privacy isn’t Vietnam’s strongest point sometimes, but there’s nothing really to worry about. If you are worried about your privacy, you can often pay an additional $10 to get a private approval letter.
Vietnam visa through an embassy
If the idea of arriving in Vietnam without a visa in your hand worries you, then apply for a visa directly from the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country. It will be more expensive, but will provide a certain peace of mind. Likewise, if you’re currently on the road and heading to Vietnam, you can apply at any Vietnamese Embassy. Just don’t try applying online if you’re in a hurry, the official government site leaves a lot to be desired and is very unclear…
NOTE: If you’re heading directly to the island of Phu Quoc, you won’t need a visa, regardless of your nationality. You’ll have 15 days to enjoy the island; If you intend enjoying more of Vietnam, see the options above.
What type of Vietnam visa do I need?
Well, if you’re heading to Vietnam as a tourist, you’ve got great options in the E-visa or visa exemptions, as listed above.
If you need something more specific, such as a business visa, you could always get a 3 to 6 month business visa (though bear in mind that this is definitely not a work visa) if you plan on staying longer and don’t want to worry about border hopping. It does seem as though you can also order one of these business visas online through the various online visa companies, and you don’t even need a letter of sponsorship, they’ll provide you with one; bottom line, choose wisely!
Can I get my visa extended?
Visa on arrival visas can be extended only once for 30 days. To save time and energy, we’d recommend you do the process through a local tour agency. It should only take two or three days, and is easy to do in the larger cities.
If you’re looking to extend the E-visa, it might be cheaper to do a border run to neighboring Cambodia, for example. There are agents who can sort out a new visa for you but it will cost big bucks (we’re hearing in the region of $300) – hence the border run option, which a lot of long-termers in Vietnam do.
What happens if I overstay my visa?
Vietnam takes overstays very seriously, way more than other countries in the region. Our advice – make sure you don’t overstay!
Whatever your reasons for visiting Vietnam, we hope the above visa info is helpful! And a friendly reminder – arrange for visa letters and applications as early as is practically possible to avoid any delays to your Vietnam trip!