What Is a Vietnam eVisa?
Vietnam has quietly become one of Asia's most rewarding destinations - Hanoi's Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay cruises, the lanterns of Hoi An, and the street food of Ho Chi Minh City. The good news is that getting in is now easier than ever: since 2023, the country's electronic visa (eVisa) system is open to all nationalities and territories, making it the standard way most travellers enter the country.
This guide walks you through the entire process in plain language: who can apply, what documents you need, how much it costs, how long it takes, and the mistakes that most often cause applications to be delayed or rejected. The rules below reflect the current system as of October 2026.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum validity | 90 days from the date stated on your application |
| Entry types available | Single entry or multiple entry |
| Eligible nationalities | All countries and territories |
| Government processing time | 3 working days (standard) |
| How you receive it | PDF by email; print it out |
| Where it works | Only at designated airports, land borders and seaports |
A fully digital visa no longer needs the old workaround - arranging a "visa approval letter" and collecting a stamp at the airport counter is now only required for a few special cases. For most travellers, applying online before boarding is the only step that matters.
Do You Need One? Check Visa Exemptions First
Because eligibility is universal, nearly every passport can apply for an eVisa. But before you start the application, check whether your nationality is exempt short-stay visa-free entry to Vietnam: several countries - particularly in Southeast Asia, Western Europe and parts of East Asia - enjoy visa-free stays ranging from about 14 to 45 days, and a few enjoy longer.
If your nationality is visa-exempt and your stay fits within the exemption limit, you don't need an eVisa at all. If you want to stay longer within a 90-day window - for example 60 days - the eVisa is the simplest option for any passport, because there is no separate long-stay tourist visa to navigate.
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry: Which Should You Pick?
Both eVisa options give you the same validity window of up to 90 days. The difference is how many times you can use it:
- Single entry: You can enter once. If you cross into Cambodia or Laos during your trip, the visa is consumed and you'd need a new one to return.
- Multiple entry: You can cross in and out as many times as you like during the validity period. Pick this if your itinerary separates Vietnam into two different parts - for example, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay first, then Cambodia, then Ho Chi Minh City last.
Popular patterns, and the right choice:
- One trip, staying in Vietnam the whole time: single entry.
- Two separate Vietnam legs or using Vietnam as a flight stopover over multiple separate periods: multiple entry.
How Much Does a Vietnam eVisa Cost?
The fee has two parts that often get confused:
- The government fee is set by Vietnam and depends on entry type (multiple entry costs about twice as much as single entry).
- The service fee only applies if a private agency such as Vistoroute handles the application for you - reviewing your documents, filling in the form, and contacting you if something looks wrong.
Applying through Vistoroute, the current totals are:
| Single entry | Multiple entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Total (gov fee + service fee) | USD 89 | USD 115 |
| Validity | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| Processing | 7 days | 7 days |
Important: if an application is refused, the government fee is not refunded. That's even more reason to submit accurate details the first time - which brings us to the section on common mistakes below.
How Long Does It Take?
The Vietnamese government's standard processing target is 3 working days. "Working" is the key word: weekends and Vietnamese public holidays generally don't count, and the clock starts when your application and payment are both complete - not when you first started the form.
For that reason, the safe rule of thumb is: apply at least 7-10 days before your departure date, and earlier if you can. Vistoroute states a processing time of 7 days on its Vietnam application page, and most delays are traceable to fixable problems - a blurry scan, a photo with a wrong background, or details that don't match your passport exactly.
Two things to know about the waiting period:
- Status enquiries are possible - the visa result also arrives by email, so nothing is left hanging for you to chase.
- If something on your form was wrong, the result is usually "processing failure" rather than permanently locked out: you fix the error and submit a new application.
What You Need to Apply: Requirements Checklist
Have all of this ready before you start - it takes under an hour and prevents nearly every kind of delay:
- A valid passport trail page - a clear digital scan of the biodata page as an image file (JPG/PNG). Passport validity at entry should cover beyond your intended stay, with the general rule of six months being safest.
- A compliant photo - a recent portrait, 4×6 cm, on a plain white background, face image straight on, no glasses glare, no headwear (religious headwear permitted if the face is fully visible), no shadows.
- Your travel dates - the eVisa is issued with a specific entry date/stay window chosen on the form, so flights or travel dates must be roughly known before applying.
- Accommodation details - many travellers are asked for their hotel address, so have the name of your first booking handy.
- A payment card - the fee is paid online in USD at the end of the form.
- Your entry point - the eVisa is only valid at designated entry ports, and you state the airport, land border or seaport you'll use. Be sure it's on the list before applying.
Step-by-Step: Applying for Your Vietnam eVisa
Step 1 - Apply online
You can apply on Vietnam's official government portal, or through a service like Vistoroute. A service reviews your documents before submission and gets in touch if a photo or scan looks problematic - helpful if you've never applied for a digital visa before.
Step 2 - Fill in the details exactly as passport
This is the step that causes most problems. Your name, nationality and passport number must match your passport letter for letter - including middle names, prefixes and passport digits. Typing "MOHAMMED" where the passport says "MUHAMMED" can result in a processing failure and the cost of another application.
Step 3 - Upload your scan and photo
Upload the two files, making sure they meet the standards above. Avoid cropping the biodata page off at the bottom - the machine-readable lines at the bottom of the page need to be visible.
Step 4 - Pay the fee and submit
Complete payment, check that you receive an application confirmation, and record your registration code so you can track your status while you wait.
Step 5 - Receive the approved eVisa
Your eVisa arrives as a PDF from the Immigration Department at the email address you provided. Download it, verify every line (name, passport number, entry date, entry port), and print at least one hard copy - immigration and some airlines will accept a screen, but paper avoids any argument.
Step 6 - Enter Vietnam
Present the printed eVisa with your passport at your stated entry port. Note: some land borders don't support eVisa landing, so double-check before choosing a route.
Common Mistakes That Delay or Reject Applications
- Name or passport mismatch - details must match the actual passport character for character, not an international document or a nickname.
- Wrong entry port - choosing an airport or border that doesn't handle eVisa entries is a fixable mistake, but only before you travel.
- Non-compliant photo - glasses glare, shadows, a colored or textured background, or a scan where the face is too small are the main reason applications come back for correction.
- Applying too late - remembering that "3 working days" excludes weekends and holidays is easy to forget, especially near Vietnamese holidays like Lunar New Year (Tet), when the country effectively pauses.
- Changing your entry point - travelling overland through a border that's different from what you stated on your application.
Inside Vietnam: How Long Can You Stay, and What If You Overstay?
The eVisa's maximum validity is 90 days, and the stay limit shown on the visa cannot be extended by a standard tourist request. If you plan a long stay, plan the eVisa's 90-day window carefully - extensions are handled case by case, and there's no simple "one-click" tourist extension. Overstaying your validity is a fine per day of overstay and can make future visits and visa applications harder, so build a buffer into your travel dates and book your outbound trip before your validity runs out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Vietnam eVisa cost?
Applying through Vistoroute, a single-entry eVisa totals USD 89 (government fee + service fee) and a multiple-entry eVisa totals USD 115. Both are valid for up to 90 days. The government fee portion alone is lower if you apply directly on the official portal, but you handle the documents and follow-up yourself.
Is multiple entry better than single entry?
Not automatically - the choice depends on your itinerary. Both visa types have the same 90-day validity; multiple entry simply lets you cross into Vietnam more than once. If your trip includes crossing into Cambodia, Laos or China and flying back into Vietnam, choose multiple entry.
How long does it take to process?
The government's standard processing time is 3 working days, but weekends and Vietnamese holidays don't count, and time starts only when your application is complete and paid. Vistoroute states 7 days. Apply 7-10 days before your departure at minimum.
What photo do I need?
A recent 4×6 cm portrait on a plain white background, face on, no shadows or glare. This is the most common reason an application needs resubmitting, so get it right the first time.
Is a Vietnam eVisa refundable?
No - if your visa is refused, the government fee is not refunded. This is one of the reasons using a review service can be cheaper overall than submitting a faulty application.
Do children need a separate eVisa?
Yes, every traveller needs their own application, including infants and children travelling on their own passports.
Can I enter Vietnam by land with an eVisa?
Only at designated land borders. Airports and seaports designated on the government list are also valid. Verify your border is supported before applying.
Can I get a Vietnam eVisa on arrival?
The eVisa itself must be arranged online before departure. The old visa-on-arrival system (an approval letter plus stamping fee) still exists for a few purposes like emergency cases, but most tourists should use the online eVisa instead.
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