Do You Need a Visa to Visit Vietnam?

Vietnam Visa Exemptions

If you are a citizen holding a valid ordinary passport from this list of 24 countries, Vietnam offers visa exemptions from 14 to 90 days.

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Countries such as Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, and Denmark are exempt from visa requirements in Vietnam for stays of up to 45 days each.

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Vietnam E-Visa

Vietnam has an Electronic Visa (E-visa) which can easily be obtained online. This is a convenient way to acquire a visa for tourists and it is eligible to 80 countries. Here is a list of the countries that allow E-visa issuing. 

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An E-visa is a single entry visa valid for a maximum of 30 days. It is processed in 3 to 5 business days and costs 25 USD per applicant. You may wish to apply at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance just to be sure. With your E-visa, you are allowed to enter and exit Vietnam at any of the 33 international checkpoints, including 8 International airports. Here is the full list of entry ports that includes air, sea, and land for your reference.

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If you are a tourist traveling by air, getting your E-visa is more convenient as you do not have to wait in line at the visa counter. You just have to show your printed visa to the immigration officer at the airport. However, you must only enter and exit Vietnam in the ports mentioned in your E-visa. In case you change, you will need to get a new one. 

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E-visa is the best option if you are visiting Vietnam for a month or less on a single entry and you have a fixed schedule. It is cheaper and more convenient. 

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How to Get Vietnam’s E-Visa

1. Head to the official website for Vietnam’s E-visa application.
2. Select the right section for your application.
3. Upload an image of your passport photo and passport data page.
4. Fill out your personal information.
5. Fill out detailed trip information, including your travel dates and entry and exit points.
6. Pay your E-visa fee by debit or credit card.
7. Receive your registration code, which you will need to download your E-visa after 3 to 5 business days. 
8. Check your application status and download your E-visa at this link. 
9. If you haven’t received your visa after 5 business days, you may contact Vietnam’s E-Visa support on this page. 
10. Print your E-visa and show it at the immigration counter. 
    

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Visa on Arrival

** As of March 2024, visa-on-arrival in Vietnam is still suspended. We will provide an update as soon as it returns. **

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Vietnam’s Visa on Arrival is an alternative way to obtain a visa to visit Vietnam. It is also convenient and it offers few visa options for tourists and business travelers. Visa on arrival is only valid for travelers arriving by air at one of the several international airports in Vietnam. This includes airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang.

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Visa on arrival offers a 1-month or 3-month visa, for either single or multiple entries. You will have to apply online to receive a Vietnam-Visa Approval Letter which you will show at the airport. It is important to note that there is no official website that offers visa on arrival services. All the websites are private agencies, so be aware of fake government websites. 

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The fee you’ll pay online is a service cost for processing your approval letter. The cost depends on your type of visa, the desired number of entries, and processing time. The normal processing time takes 2 business days but it is possible to request a fast and urgent processing time for an additional charge. 

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We have used vietnam.visa.govt successfully in the past and found that they offer the cheapest service online. A 1-month single entry visa costs 17 USD while a 3-month single entry costs 25 USD. Check their website for the most updated pricing.

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How to Get Vietnam’s Visa on Arrival

1. Head to vietnam.visa.govt or any reliable site of your choice
2. Fill out the online forms detailing the type of visa, processing time, and your personal and travel information
3. Make payment for service fee using any of the payment options
4. Receive your approval letter online and print a copy
5. Upon arrival at the international airport, head to the visa on arrival counter to get your visa stamped.
6. Fill out the NA1 form which you can find at the counter. You can also print this form to fill out in advance.  
7. Present all your documents. This includes your passport with at least 6 months validity, 2 passport-sized photos (4cm x 6cm), a printed copy of your approval letter, and a completed NA1 form.
8. Pay for your stamping fee in cash. The office does not accept cards and it’s hard to find an ATM at the airport. It costs 25 USD for a single entry and 50 USD for multiple entries.
9. Wait. Depending on how busy the counter is, expect to wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. 
10. Receive your passport with your Vietnam visa and you can head to the immigration counter. 

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Vietnam Visa Extension

** As of March 2024, visa extentions in Vietnam is not available. We will provide an update as soon as it returns.**

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If you wish to stay longer in Vietnam, it is possible to extend your visa without leaving the country. To get a Vietnam visa extension, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months following your date of arrival and 2 blank pages on your passport. 

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There are two options for getting a visa extension. You can either apply by yourself or with the help of a private visa agency. 

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The most convenient but more costly way is to apply with a reputable agency. For a 1-month extension, you can expect to pay around 80 USD. They’ll handle everything including filling out forms, which can be challenging if you’re applying on your own as most forms are in Vietnamese. However, if you decide to do it yourself, try to go with someone who speaks Vietnamese as English is not widely spoken in the country. 

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Where to Extend Visa in Vietnam

Here is a list of the immigration offices in charge of extending visas in Vietnam. They are open on Monday to Friday from 7 to 11:30 a.m and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Check their websites for the most updated times. 

Ho Chi Minh City:

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Immigration Office

Ministry of Public Security Department Of Immigration

Da Nang:

Police Department's Immigration Office

Ha Noi :

Ha Noi Police Department's Immigration Office ‍

Ministry of Public Security Department Of Immigration