Vietnam Tourist Visa

Traveling to Vietnam is becoming easier thanks to simplified procedures. As for now, Vietnam is supporting passport holders from 25 countries in the world to enter and stay in Vietnam without a tourist visa for a certain period of time. However, many travelers still need to apply for this visa when coming to Vietnam.

What is tourist visa?

Tourist visa is a type of visa granted to foreigners entering Vietnam for the purpose of tourism or vacation. According to the Law on foreigners’ entry, exit, transit and residence in Vietnam 2014, tourist visa is symbolized as DL visa and has a maximum validity of 3 months. Foreigners are allowed to stay in Vietnam no exceeding 30 days for each entry and can extend the stay once arriving in Vietnam.

Vietnam Tourist Visa Stamp

Visas for tourists can be classified by the duration of stay and number of entries including 1-month / single-entry, 1-month / multiple-entries, 3-months / single-entries, and 3-months / multiple-entries. Apart from that, only US passport holders are allowed to register a Vietnam visa with 1-year validity and multiple entries.

Vietnam tourist visa in brief

Type symbol:
  • DL Visa
Available types:
  • 1 month single entry
  • 3 month single entry
  • 1 month multiple entry
  • 3 month multiple entry
Applicable port of entry:
  • Airports / Landports / Seaports
Documents required:
  • A valid passport 
  • 02 passport-sized photos 
  • An entry and exit date
  • Entry checkpoints
  • A visa application form (NA2)
Processing time:
  • Visa on arrival: 2-4 hours to 2-4 working days
  • Visa at Embassy: 5 - 7 working days
  • E-visa: 3 working days
Visa fees:
  • Visa on arrival: USD25-50 for stamping fee + Service fee (varied)
  • Visa at Embassy: varied
  • E-visa: USD25
Tourist visa exemption: Vietnam visa exemption is applied for 25 countries with a duration from 14 days up to 90 days.

Who is eligible?

There are 25 countries exempt from tourist visas in Vietnam (*). So, if you have one of these nationalities, you can enter and exit Vietnam for tourism purposes within a given period of time. If you have a different nationality or wish to stay longer than the permitted visa-free duration (maximum 90 days), you are eligible to apply for a tourist visa.

Tourist visas are not applied for business purposes, and foreigners are not allowed to work or do business activities during their time in Vietnam.

Happy tourist in Hoi An, Vietnam

(*) List of 25 Vietnam visa exemption countries:

No. Country Maximum duration of stay
1 Chile 90 days
2 Panama 90 days
3 Cambodia 30 days
4 Indonesia 30 days
5 Kyrgyzstan 30 days
6 Laos 30 days
7 Malaysia 30 days
8 Singapore 30 days
9 Thailand 30 days
10 Philippines 21 days
11 Brunei 14 days
12 Myanmar 14 days
13 Belarus 45 days
14 Denmark 45 days
15 Finland 45 days
16 France 45 days
17 Germany 45 days
18 Italy 45 days
19 Japan 45 days
20 Norway 45 days
21 Russia 45 days
22 South Korea 45 days
23 Spain 45 days
24 Sweden 45 days
25 United Kingdom (Not applicable to BNO passports) 45 days

Tourist visa conditions

In order to obtain a tourist visa, foreigners must comply with some conditions as follow:

  • Foreigners currently stay outside of the Vietnam.
  • Foreigners have a passport with 6 month validity (at least) upon the arrival date.
  • Foreigners have a round-trip air ticket to Vietnam.
  • Foreigners have a hotel room booking or tour organized by a Vietnam travel agency.
  • Those who are not prohibited from entering Vietnam

How to apply for a tourist visa

Getting a visa for Vietnam is now easier than ever before!

Preparation

To recover tourism after the epidemic and promote international tourists, Vietnam has eased the policy for travel visa applications. Here are the things you need to prepare:

  • A passport with at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages
  • 02 photos in passport size (4x6cm, recently taken, white background, showing the entire face, not wearing glasses or scarf covering hair, looking straight)
  • Date of entry and exit from Vietnam
  • Entry port
  • A visa application form (NA2)
  • Visa fee

Application

There are 3 ways to get a Vietnam travel visa.

Tourist visa at Embassy/Consulate

The most common way is getting a visa at the Embassy/Consulate. If you prefer to get everything done in person and a visa already stamped on your passport in advance of your trip, this is the one.

  • Step 1: Get to the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in your country and submit all documents as required. You should check the requirements carefully since the procedure may vary among different embassies in different countries.
  • Step 2: Pay the visa fee (varied by embassy).
  • Step 3: Return to the embassy. If your application is approved, get your original passport back with the visa affixed to it.

Tourist visa on arrival

Only air travelers can apply for a visa on arrival. No need to travel back and forth to the Embassy in person and flexibility in the long duration of stay and entry times, visa-on-arrival is one of the most convenient ways for tourists coming to Vietnam.

  • Step 1: Contact a Vietnam visa agency to apply for a pre-approved visa letter online. This letter is compulsory for boarding the plane and getting a visa stamp at Vietnam airports. The service fee is varied by agency.
  • Step 2: Print the visa approval letter and visa application form provided by the agency. Fill up the visa application form and prepare all documents before the flight.
  • Step 3: Present the visa approval letter and all documents needed (02 passport-sized photos, original passport, and stamping fee in cash) to get a visa stamp at one of 8 international airports in Vietnam.

Tourist E-visa

E-visa is applied for citizens of 80 countries all over the world and those entering Vietnam via one of 33 designated ports including airports, seaports, and landports. Travelers do not need to submit an original passport and prepare too many documents, and all procedures are conducted online which is much time-saving for travelers.

  • Step 1: Access e-visa’s official website at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt and provide full information (portrait photo, photo of passport data page, personal information and your trip schedule). Save the Registration Code provided.
  • Step 2: Pay the fee (USD25).
  • Step 3: Check the result by Registration Code via Search Menu bar on the website. Download the visa and print a hard copy for use at the airport.

Tourist visa extension

Tourists who overstay in Vietnam with an expired visa will have to pay administrative fines. Since the maximum time for foreign tourists to stay in Vietnam per entry is 30 days, a visa extension is compulsory. Plus, foreigners are required to exit and re-enter Vietnam if wishing to continue their stay.

Conditions to extend

  • Foreigners must have a guaranteeing travel agency in accordance with the provisions of the tourism law
  • Foreigners still temporarily reside in Vietnam
  • Foreigners are not deported or forced to leave Vietnam

Things to prepare

  • Application form for visa issuance, stay extension (NA5)
  • Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months
  • Travel license of the guaranteeing travel agency
  • Legal documents of guaranteeing travel agency (for first-time application)
  • Schedule of travel program
  • Introduction letter of the guaranteeing travel agency sending a representative to do the visa extension for foreigners
  • Visa extension fee

How to extend

The extension of a visa for tourists must be conducted at one of Vietnam's Immigration Offices in Hanoi, Danang, or Ho Chi Minh City. Here are 3 steps you need to follow:

  • Step 1: Contact a Vietnam travel agency for instructions on all needed documents and procedures for visa extension.
  • Step 2: Send your valid passport with all the needed documents and pay the service fee.
  • Step 3: Receive the passport and visa extension after around 06 - 08 working days.

Processing time & fee

Processing time

  • The processing time of a tourist visa takes different times based on the way you choose to apply. Here is the approximate time you can refer to:
  • Visa at an Embassy/Consulate:  5-7 days
  • Visa on arrival: 3-5 days for regular service and 2-4 hours for urgent service 
  • Visa online (e-visa): 3 days

Fee

  • Visa at an Embassy/Consulate: Depending on each Embassy/Consulate
  • Visa on arrival: USD20-60 for approval letter service and USD25-50 for stamping fee at the airport (USD25 for single entry and USD50 for multiple entries for 1 or 3-month visa)
  • Visa online (e-visa): USD25

Questions and Answers (19)

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Q
Annelize
South Africa

Hi I will travel to Ho Chi Minh City in January 2025 from South Africa. This will also be my exit port in February 2025. Whilst in Vietnam, I will fly from Tan Son Nhat Airport-Saignon and back to there as well. Silly question maybe - will I be able to fly from this port with just my passport and tourist visa or will I need extra documents for national flights (in Vietnam). Hope it makes sense. Thanks Annelize

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A Answered by Lan

@Annelize, no worries, you do not need any extra documents. Just make sure you exit before the visa expiry date, and that will be fine.

7 people found this helpful
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Q
Barry Moore
Ireland

If coming from Ireland which is the better option for visa? I’m only staying for 9 days and won’t be leaving during that time. Would the e-visa suit or would I be better getting it when I arrive at the airport? Thanks.

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A Answered by Lan

Hello Barry, if you are not in a rush, then an e-visa is a much better option, as you do not need to wait at the Vietnam airport for the visa stamp procedure, and it is also cheaper than a visa on arrival.

3 people found this helpful
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Q
Dawn Watson
United Kingdom

We enter Vietnam by air on 15/2/24, we leave by Song Tien landport on the 21/2/24. We then renter Vietnam by air on the 1/3/24 and leave by air on the 13/3/24. What visa do we require?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

Hello, if you hold a valid UK passport, we can confirm that you do not need a visa for either of the entries mentioned above.

4 people found this helpful
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Q
Christopher Hamer
United Kingdom

How far in advance can you apply for a tourist visa

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

Hello, you can apply anytime in advance at your convenience because the e-visa will be valid from the date you choose during the application process.

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Q
Lewis Palca
United States

My wife and I are American citizens and have used eVisa. We have uploaded all our information, and each have registration codes. Our American Express payments apparently didn’t go through, and we have now gotten instructions to Pay E-visa Fee at VietCombank payment gateway (accepted by Vietnam Immigration Department) and we bith agreed. Is this at Hanoi airport and does that mean we have a Visa once we pay it (25 US each)? Thank you.

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A Answered by Lan

Hello, the e-visa fees must be paid upfront, so we recommend checking your application status for payment updates or arranging to pay again if needed.

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Q
Shahzad
Turkey 🇹🇷

I am coming to March in Vietnam. I am Turkey citizen for 15 day. I need Visa for Vietnam

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

@Shahzad, Yes, you will need a visa for Vietnam and you can apply for an e-visa through the official website below:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Simone Balestri
Italy

I'm an Italian citizen coming to Vietnam for a 21days holiday. Do I need to apply for an E-Visa or I can just come using my 45days visa-free?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina

@Simone Balestri, You do not need a visa for a 21-day holiday. Just bring your valid passport, and you will be granted a 45-day visa-free stay.

3 people found this helpful
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Q
Barbara Kay Treglown
Australia

I am travelling to Vietnam for a holiday in March and want to apply for an e-visa. the touring company require a visa number before December. is the E-visa valid for 30days from the date of arriving in Vietnam or from when I get the visa, Thanks Barbara

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A Answered by Lina

@Barbara Kay Treglown, The e-visa is valid starting from the date you select on the form, for example, 01 March 2024. You can apply for an e-visa now to plan your trip to Vietnam for next year!

4 people found this helpful
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Q
Julie Zikovic
Australia

My passport has only been valid since 28/08/2023. Will I have a problem in getting a visa to Vietnam?

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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Julie Zikovic, Do you mean August 28, 2024? Since it is already September 2023, you won't have any issues if you enter and exit before February 2024.

2 people found this helpful
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Q
melissa oconnor
Ireland

Can i apply for visa 7 months before travel?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@melissa oconnor, That is fine. You can apply for a visa 7 months in advance. The evisa will be valid from the date you choose on the form, not from the date you submit your application.

2 people found this helpful
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Q
paulo dias
Portugal

i´m portuguese and i´m traveling to da nang ,do i need to apply for a visa in advance or just when i arrive at the airport in da nang?

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A Answered by Lina Tran

@paulo dias, There is no direct visa on arrival option at Vietnam airports. It is advised that you apply online for an e-visa before your trip instead!

2 people found this helpful
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Q
Philip Smith
United Kingdom

Hello. I have a UK passport, if I arrive to Vietnam via a land checkpoint do I need to apply for a visa in advance? Also when arriving in Vietnam is proof of exit from the country required? Thanks

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Philip Smith, You (As a UK national) do not need any visa or proof of travel to enter Vietnam overland, all you need is your valid passport and make sure your stay is less than 15 days!

2 people found this helpful
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Q
Nguyen Vo
Vietnam

When applied for my Visa, my original destination was Da Nang. Now my destination has changed to Hue. Would I be able to enter the country through Hue’s airport instead of Da Nang?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Nguyen Vo, The e-visa is valid for the entry point that you registered in the application form. Therefore, if you decide to enter through a different checkpoint, please apply for a new e-visa with the updated entry point.

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Q
Carlos
Chile

Hi I am travelling with a Chilean Passport for less than 30 days, do I need to do anything before I travel?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Carlos, Chilean passports are exempt from visa for Vietnam for 90 days, so you just need your valid passport to enter Vietnam!

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Winifred Tong
Canada

Hi , I will be traveling to ho chi minh city in sept , 2023. I am holding a canadian passport. How can i apply a 1 month multiple entry visa. Due to I will travel to japan in between my stay in vietnam. So I will need to have 2 visa to entry to ho chi minh city.

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Winifred Tong, Multiple entry e-visas will be available soon in June/July this year, so please wait for the new visa policy before applying for a visa.

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Ameerah Rosly
Malaysia

Hi..I will go to Vietnam for 2 months. I am following my husband for work. Do I need to apply any kind of visa? Seems stated here that Malaysia is exempt for visa. Does it mean I can stay there for 2 months without applying visa?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lina Tran

@Ameerah Rosly, Malaysian passport holders are exempt from a visa for Vietnam for 30 days, not 2 months. Therefore, if you plan to stay for more than 30 days, you are required to apply for a 3-month visa.

1 people found this helpful
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Q
Sergio
Thailand

I have an Italian passport. I want to fly to Vietnam for a 2 day stay and fly out again. Can i just fly in or do i need to apply for any kind of visa?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

@Sergio, You do not need a visa for a 2-day stay in Vietnam, just bring your valid passport for your entry!

Helpful
Q
Coco
United Kingsom

Thank you for the previous answer! We plan on exiting vietnam into either Laos through the Lao Bao landport or into China through Friendship pass/Ai Nam Quan pass. However, we can't see Friendship pass listed in the evisa application form. Is it possible to exit Vietnam into China through this landport and if so which option do we chose in the application form? Also, if we later decide to exit through a different port such as into Cambodia instead of China or Laos, would this be a problem if the exit port we chose on the application form does not match the one we exit through at the time?

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Long Bian

@Coco, Friendship border gate or in Vietnamese "Huu Nghi landport" is listed on the #12 as you can see below:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/List-of-evisa-port.pdf/c774e24b-1ab8-4fb6-9ac1-dcdfaccecf8e

For your second question, you can exit through a different port of exit and it may not cause any issues. However, we advise that you make a clear plan to avoid changes at a later date.

2 people found this helpful
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Q
Coco
United Kingdom

Hello, if we enter the country with a 30 day visa and then leave after 30 days how soon can we re-enter the country for another 30 days? Thanks

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Your Reply
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A Answered by Lan

@Coco, As long as you obtain a new visa, you can re-enter Vietnam without any issues. There is no waiting time requirements for each entry into Vietnam.

4 people found this helpful
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Frequently asked questions

1. How long is a travel visa valid?

A travel visa is valid for 1 to 3 months. The maximum stay for each entry is 30 days. In fact, there is 1-year multiple entry visa yet only available for US passport holders.

2. Can I change my tourist visa to another visa?

Yes. Tourist visas can be converted to other types such as work visas, investment visas, relative-visit visas, study visas,... if foreigners fully meet the conditions of the switched visas.

3. Can I use this visa to do my short-term business work?

No. Tourist visas allow foreigners to enter Vietnam for traveling purposes only. If you use a travel visa to work, both foreigners and related enterprises/companies will be fined.

4. How many times can I extend my travel visa?

You can extend your travel visa only once when arriving in Vietnam. The maximum stay for each entry is not exceeding 30 days.

5. When should I extend my visa?

Since the process takes a few working days, you should apply for the extension around 5-7 days before it expires. Foreigners need to exit Vietnam and re-enter Vietnam after a stay of 30 days. Overstay may result in more difficulties in visa extension and that you may be forced to leave Vietnam.

6. My passport will expire in 3 months, can I extend a tourist visa for another month?

No. Visa extension requires an original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. Hence, you need to renew your passport at the Embassy in Vietnam before extending your visa.

7. Is a tourist e-visa applied for multiple entries?

Currently, e-visa is still applied for single entry and a duration of a maximum of 30 days. However, the validity is supposed to increase to 90 days and multiple entries could be applied from August 2023 according to the proposal of the government.

Official: Evisa is now available for 90 days, multiple entry.

Contact sales if you have additional questions.

Contact support if you already submitted your visa application on our website.

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