Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Visa Guides
  • Resources
  • Contact

Vietnam tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: December 15, 2022

Vietnam Tourist Visa Image

Vietnam has streamlined its visa process in recent years. As of now, Vietnam tourist visa requirements are quite clear and easy to understand. Vietnam offers visa exemptions to quite a few nationalities. And those that require a visa can get an E-Visa or a visa from any nearest Vietnamese embassy.

Currently, there are 3 different visa options available to enter Vietnam as a tourist.

  • Visa exemption: 23 countries are visa EXEMPT for stays from 14 days to 30 days
  • E-Visa: 46 nationalities can avail eVisa for stays up to 30 days
  • Visa from the embassy: A pre-approved visa from the embassy prior to arrival is required for certain nationalities

NOTE
Vietnam 1-month or 3-month Visa on Arrival (VOA) for tourists is still suspended. It’s unclear whether Vietnam will instate its tourist VOA or instead add more countries to its E-Visa list.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • VIETNAM TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY
    • Minimum passport validity required to enter Vietnam as a tourist
    • VISA EXEMPT nationalities
    • E-VISA eligible nationalities
    • VISA REQUIRED nationalities
  • VIETNAM VISA-EXEMPTION
    • Entry permission
    • Documents to carry
  • VIETNAM E-VISA
    • Validity of Vietnam E-Visa
    • When to apply for E-Visa
    • How long can you stay in Vietnam on E-Visa
    • E-Visa application process
    • Documents required
    • Photo requirements
    • Visa fee
    • Processing time
    • Application tracking
    • Customer service
  • VIETNAM TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY
    • Validity of Vietnam tourist visa
    • When to apply for Vietnam tourist visa
    • How long can you stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa
    • Tourist visa application process
    • Documents required
    • Visa fee
    • Processing time
  • ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT
    • Entering Vietnam by air
    • Leaving Vietnam by air
  • CONCLUSION

***

VIETNAM TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Vietnam tourist visa requirements by nationality
Vietnam tourist visa requirements by nationality

Minimum passport validity required to enter Vietnam as a tourist

Passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the visa expiration date.

—

VISA EXEMPT nationalities

30-day entry

  1. Cambodia
  2. Indonesia
  3. Laos
  4. Malaysia
  5. Singapore
  6. Thailand

21-day entry

  1. Philippines

15-day entry

  1. Belarus
  2. Denmark
  3. Finland
  4. France
  5. Germany
  6. Italy
  7. Japan
  8. Norway
  9. Russia
  10. South Korea
  11. Spain
  12. Sweden
  13. United Kingdom

14-day entry

  1. Brunei
  2. Myanmar

—

E-VISA eligible nationalities

30-day entry

  1. Andorra
  2. Argentina
  3. Armenia
  4. Australia
  5. Austria
  6. Azerbaijan
  7. Belarus
  8. Belgium
  9. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  10. Brazil
  11. Brunei
  12. Bulgaria
  13. Canada
  14. Chile
  15. China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
  16. Colombia
  17. Croatia
  18. Cuba
  19. Cyprus
  20. Czech Republic
  21. Denmark
  22. Estonia
  23. Fiji
  24. Finland
  25. France
  26. Georgia
  27. Germany
  28. Greece
  29. Hungary
  30. Iceland
  31. India
  32. Ireland
  33. Italy
  34. Japan
  35. Kazakhstan
  36. Latvia
  37. Liechtenstein
  38. Lithuania
  39. Luxembourg
  40. Malta
  41. Marshall Islands
  42. Mexico
  43. Micronesia
  44. Moldova
  45. Monaco
  46. Mongolia
  47. Montenegro
  48. Myanmar
  49. Nauru
  50. Netherland
  51. New Zealand
  52. North Macedonia
  53. Norway
  54. Palau
  55. Panama
  56. Papua New Guinea
  57. Peru
  58. Philippines
  59. Poland
  60. Portugal
  61. Qatar
  62. Romania
  63. Russia
  64. Samoa
  65. San Marino
  66. Serbia
  67. Slovakia
  68. Slovenia
  69. Solomon Islands
  70. South Korea
  71. Spain
  72. Sweden
  73. Switzerland
  74. Timor Leste
  75. United Arab Emirates
  76. United Kingdom
  77. United States of America
  78. Uruguay
  79. Vanuatu
  80. Venezuela

—

VISA REQUIRED nationalities

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Algeria
  4. Angola
  5. Antigua and Barbuda
  6. Aruba
  7. Bahamas
  8. Bahrain
  9. Bangladesh
  10. Barbados
  11. Belize
  12. Benin
  13. Bhutan
  14. Bolivia
  15. Botswana
  16. Burkina Faso
  17. Burundi
  18. Cape Verde
  19. Cameroon
  20. Central African Republic
  21. Chad
  22. Comoros
  23. Congo, Dem Rep of
  24. Congo, Rep of
  25. Cook Islands
  26. Costa Rica
  27. Cote d’Ivoire
  28. Curacao
  29. Djibouti
  30. Dominica
  31. Dominican Republic
  32. Ecuador
  33. Egypt
  34. El Salvador
  35. Equatorial Guinea
  36. Eritrea
  37. Eswatini
  38. Ethiopia
  39. Gabon
  40. Gambia
  41. Ghana
  42. Grenada
  43. Guatemala
  44. Guinea
  45. Guinea-Bissau
  46. Guyana
  47. Haiti
  48. Honduras
  49. Iran
  50. Iraq
  51. Israel
  52. Jamaica
  53. Jordan
  54. Kenya
  55. Kiribati
  56. Kosovo
  57. Kuwait
  58. Kyrgyzstan
  59. Lebanon
  60. Lesotho
  61. Liberia
  62. Libya
  63. Madagascar
  64. Malawi
  65. Maldives
  66. Mali
  67. Mauritania
  68. Mauritius
  69. Morocco
  70. Mozambique
  71. Namibia
  72. Nepal
  73. Netherlands
  74. Nicaragua
  75. Niger
  76. Nigeria
  77. Niue
  78. North Korea
  79. Oman
  80. Pakistan
  81. Palestinian Territories
  82. Paraguay
  83. Rwanda
  84. Sao Tome and Principe
  85. Saudi Arabia
  86. Senegal
  87. Seychelles
  88. Sierra Leone
  89. Sint Maarten
  90. Somalia
  91. South Africa
  92. South Sudan
  93. Sri Lanka
  94. St Kitts and Nevis
  95. St Lucia
  96. St Vincent and the Grenadines
  97. Sudan
  98. Suriname
  99. Syria
  100. Taiwan
  101. Tajikistan
  102. Tanzania
  103. Togo
  104. Tonga
  105. Trinidad and Tobago
  106. Tunisia
  107. Turkey
  108. Turkmenistan
  109. Tuvalu
  110. Uganda
  111. Ukraine
  112. Uzbekistan
  113. Vatican City
  114. Yemen
  115. Zambia
  116. Zimbabwe

NOTE
All nationalities are visa EXEMPT for visiting Phú Quốc island which is considered as a special economic zone. Must arrive and depart from the island directly and cannot transit through the mainland.

***

VIETNAM VISA-EXEMPTION

Vietnam entry exit stamps
Vietnam entry exit stamps

Nationals from 22 countries do not require any visa to enter Vietnam as a tourist. Some of these countries are from South East Asia and Europe.

—

Entry permission

Visa-exempt nationalities can stay from 14 days to 30 days in Vietnam depending on their nationality. 

—

Documents to carry

Apart from your passport, you must also carry the below documents in print or on your smartphone.

  • Proof of return or onward travel (your return or onward flight/bus/train ticket)
  • Proof of accommodation (a hotel reservation for the first few days)

If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to get proof of onward ticket.

***

VIETNAM E-VISA

Vietnam E-Visa

As of now, Vietnam E-Visa is the easiest tourist visa option available. Nationals from about 80 countries are eligible to apply for Vietnam E-Visa. 

—

Validity of Vietnam E-Visa

The validity of Vietnam E-Visa is 30 days from the day of issue. You must enter and exit Vietnam within these 30 days. 

—

When to apply for E-Visa

You can apply for your Vietnam E-Visa as early as you like. The E-Visa processing takes 3 working days, so you must apply at least 3 working days prior to your trip. In certain instances, it can take longer. I highly recommend applying at least two weeks prior to your trip. 

—

How long can you stay in Vietnam on E-Visa

With an E-Visa, you can stay up to 30 days or until the expiry of your E-Visa, whichever is shorter. The immigration officer will write the date by which you must exit the country on the entry stamp in your passport. This exit date on your passport will match the expiration date of your E-Visa.

—

E-Visa application process

You can apply for the E-Visa on Vietnam E-Visa Portal. You would need a scan of your passport data/ID page, a digital photo and a credit/debit card. The E-Visa fee is $25 USD and the processing takes about 3 working days. 

—

Documents required

You will need the following documents.

  • Original passport
  • A digital portrait photo
  • A scan of your passport data/ID page

—

Photo requirements

The digital photograph must meet the following specifications.

  • Photo must show the entire face
  • Photo must be straight-looking without glasses
  • Photo must be about 4 x 6 cm in dimensions
  • Photo must be in JPG format only

—

Visa fee

The visa fee is $25 USD. You can pay the visa fee with a credit or debit card.

—

Processing time

The tourist visa processing time is 3 working days. In most instances, your approval will come through within two working days.

—

Application tracking

You can track your application status from the Vietnam E-Visa portal application status page using your registration code, email and date of birth. 

Your application can have any of the 2 statuses.

  • In Processing: This status means that your application is still in process.
  • Granted Visa: This status means your application is approved and ready for download

—

Customer service

In case of questions on your visa or visa status, you can contact the Vietnam Immigration Department at their support page, email or phone number.

WEB: E-Visa support page
EMAIL: evisa@immigration.gov.vn
PHONE: +84 243 825 7941

RELATED: How to apply for Vietnam E-Visa – A step-by-step guide with screenshots

***

VIETNAM TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY

Those that are not eligible for visa exemption or E-Visa must apply for a Vietnam tourist visa from a Vietnamese embassy. The visa process is straight forward and there are options to receive the visa on the same day. 

—

Validity of Vietnam tourist visa

The validity of Vietnam tourist visa is 3 months from the day of issue. You will have to enter and exit the country within these dates 

—

When to apply for Vietnam tourist visa

You can apply for your Vietnam tourist visa anytime before your trip. The visa processing takes 3-4 working days, so you must have at least 4 working days prior to your trip. Express visa processing is also available to receive your visa within the same day or the next day. 

—

How long can you stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa

You can stay up to 30 days in Vietnam on a tourist visa. But your entry and exit must be within the validity of your visa. 

—

Tourist visa application process

You can apply for a Vietnam tourist visa from any nearby Vietnamese embassy. You can apply for a Vietnam tourist visa even in the country you are currently traveling in. 

You would need to submit a completed application form, original passport and one passport-size photo. Processing time is about 3-4 working days but you can pay extra to receive your visa the same day or the next day. 

—

Documents required

You will need the following documents.

  • Original passport
  • Completed application form (you can grab one at the embassy)
  • One passport-size photo of size 4×6 cm

—

Visa fee

The visa fee depends on the country from which you are applying. You will have to check with the Vietnamese embassy where you plan to apply.

—

Processing time

The tourist visa processing time is 3-4 business days. Express visa processing is also available for an additional fee and you can receive your visa the same day or the next day.

***

ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT

Entering and exiting Vietnam

Entering Vietnam by air

After you get off your flight, walk towards immigration/passport control. If you are a visa exempt national, present your passport and boarding pass. If you hold an E-Visa, present your passport, boarding pass and a print or soft copy of your Vietnam E-Visa to the immigration officer. 

You may be asked a few questions such as how long you plan to stay in Vietnam, what you would like to do in Vietnam, etc. 

You may be asked to show your return ticket. If you are flying on a one-way ticket, I highly recommend carrying proof of an onward flight ticket to avoid any trouble at immigration.

—

Leaving Vietnam by air

Vietnam employs manned passport control. You will go through passport control on your exit. Present your passport and boarding pass. Usually, you will not be asked any questions unless you have overstayed your visa.

***

CONCLUSION

Hoi An old town, Vietnam
Hoi An old town, Vietnam

Vietnam has streamlined its visa process in recent years. About 22 nationalities from South East Asia and Europe do not need a visa to enter Vietnam. About 80 nationalities are eligible to apply for E-Visa. The rest can obtain a Vietnam tourist visa from any Vietnamese embassy. 

Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) is still suspended. There is no news on when VOA will be available again.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my insurance.

01. Apply for your visa
You can get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket. Flight itineraries from DummyTicket are valid for 2 weeks and works for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight
You can find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner. Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel
You can book your hotel from Booking.com. Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket
If traveling on one-way ticket, you can get your proof of onward flight from Expedia. Expedia offers free cancellation on tickets booked within 24 hours. Or use OnwardTicket to get a proof of onward ticket in just 2 minutes.

05. Purchase your insurance
You can purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo (for all international trips + 15% discount for visa traveler readers) or VisitorsCoverage (for US trips).

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

MORE VISA GUIDES

United Kingdom UK Tourist Visa Image

UNITED KINGDOM

Canada Tourist Visa Image

CANADA

Schengen Visa Image

SCHENGEN

Mexico Tourist Visa Image

MEXICO

Colombia tourist visa image

COLOMBIA

Thailand Tourist Visa Image

THAILAND

VIEW ALL VISA GUIDES

About Me

About Thirumal Motati, founder and travel writer at visa traveler
Hi! I’m Thirumal Motati. I’m on a mission to travel to every country in the world on my “weak” passport. As a digital nomad, I have been traveling full-time for over 6 years. My knowledge and experience have helped many secure their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. Want to learn how to travel the world on a weak passport? Start here

Get your travel medical insurance from HeyMondo
Get verifiable flight ticket for visa application from dummyticket
Rent an onward ticket at OnwardTicket

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for India e-Visa online – An easy step-by-step guide
  • How to get Turkey e-Visa – An easy step-by-step guide
  • How to get Vietnam E-Visa – An easy step-by-step guide
  • 7 benefits of US visa (that will make you want to get a US visa today)
  • You are approaching the maximum number of times: What causes this CGI error and how to avoid it?

Explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Visa Guides
  • Resources
  • Contact

Legal

  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Follow

Search this site

Copyright © 2023 · Visa Traveler LLC · All Rights Reserved Worldwide