Vietnam Visa Guide: e-Visa, Requirements & How to Apply
Most travellers now use Vietnam's 90-day e-visa, available online to every nationality. Here's exactly how it works and how to apply.
Always confirm the latest rules on the official portal before you travel. Visa policy changes; this guide is a starting point, not legal advice. Apply only through the government site: evisa.gov.vn.
Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your nationality and length of stay:
- Visa-exempt countries — citizens of a number of countries can enter visa-free for a set number of days (for example, many ASEAN nationals, and several European countries for short stays). Check whether your country is on the current exemption list.
- Everyone else — needs a visa. For almost all travellers, the simplest option is the e-visa.
The Vietnam e-visa (the easy option)
Since August 2023, Vietnam’s e-visa has been:
- Open to all nationalities
- Valid for up to 90 days
- Available as single-entry or multiple-entry
- Applied for fully online — no embassy visit, no agent required
Cost (indicative)
| Type | Approx. government fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | ~25 USD |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | ~50 USD |
Fees are set by the government and can change — confirm the current amount at checkout on the official portal.
How to apply
- Go to the official portal evisa.gov.vn (beware of look-alike third-party sites that charge extra).
- Upload a passport data-page scan and a passport-style photo (plain background, no glasses).
- Enter your travel dates, intended entry and exit port, and accommodation.
- Pay the fee by card.
- Wait for processing — typically about 3 working days (allow longer to be safe).
- Download and print your approved e-visa. Carry the printout when you fly.
Requirements checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry, with blank pages.
- Digital passport photo and passport scan.
- A debit/credit card for the fee.
- Onward/return travel details.
Visa on arrival (VOA)
A separate “visa on arrival” system exists but requires a pre-arranged approval letter and is generally only worth it for specific cases. For most people the e-visa is simpler and cheaper.
Extending or staying longer
If you need more than 90 days, extensions and other visa categories are handled in-country, usually via an agent. Plan this before your e-visa expires.
Travelling for dental treatment?
The 90-day e-visa is comfortably long enough for even multi-stage dental work (such as implants, which need a healing gap between visits — or a single longer stay). Lotus Dental Travel can help you plan treatment timing around your visa and flights. See dental tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, or start with the 10-day Vietnam itinerary.
Need help timing a treatment trip? Get a free assessment.