Vietnam visa for China citizens

Do Chinese passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?

At present, Chinese passport holders are not eligible for visa exemption. Thefore, it is mandatory for you to obtain a visa regardless of the purpose of your visit to Vietnam.

How to apply for a Vietnamese visa on a Chinese passport

Visitors from China are able to get a visa for tourism, business, and other purposes which can be obtained at Vietnam Embassy in China, through the Vietnam e-visa system, and getting a visa on arrival.

Visa at the Vietnam Embassy in China

As a Chinese national, you can apply for a visa to Vietnam at the Vietnam Embassy in your country of residence. To apply, you will need to prepare the following documents:

1. Original passport, which must have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp and be valid for at least six months beyond the entry date into Vietnam.
2. Completed visa application form that can be downloaded from the embassy's website or obtained in person.
3. One recent passport-size photo.
4. Payment of the visa fee.

Apply for e-visa online

If you hold a regular Chinese passport, you can apply for a Vietnam e-visa. The e-visa allows for a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days. Here are the steps to apply for an e-visa:

1. Visit the Vietnam e-visa website at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ and complete the application form, providing all the required information.
2. Upload a recent passport-style photo and a scanned copy of the biographical page of your passport.
3. Pay the e-visa fee of 25 USD ~ 172 CNY.
4. After approximately three working days, your e-visa application will be reviewed, and if approved, you will receive your e-visa via email.

Note: The e-visa system does not work for E-passport holders.

Apply for a visa on arrival

Chinese nationals traveling to Vietnam by air can obtain a visa on arrival. Here are the steps to get a visa on arrival to Vietnam:

1. Obtain a visa approval letter from a reliable visa agency in Vietnam.
2. Pay the visa approval letter processing fee online using a credit or debit card, and wait for the letter to arrive by mail.
3. Upon arrival at one of Vietnam's international airports, such as Noi Bai or Tan Son Nhat, present the visa approval letter, your passport, and two passport-size photos. Then, pay the visa stamping fee and receive your visa.

How much is the visa fee for Chinese passports?

Fee comparison 

Travel tips for Chinese citizens visiting Vietnam

How to get there

BY AIR

There are several airlines that offer flights between China and Vietnam. Some of the major airlines include China Southern Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and Hainan Airlines.

Bejing - Ho Chi Minh City

Kunming - Ho Chi Minh City

BY LAND

There are several border crossings between Vietnam and China which are usually crowded due to business activities. The three official border crossings are Mong Cai/Dong Hung, Dong Dang/Ping Xian, and Lao Cai/Hekou, all located in the northeast of Vietnam.

Mong Cai border gate is located in Quang Ninh province, while Lao Cai/Hekou border gate is the fastest route from Kunming (China) to Sapa in Lao Cai province. If you depart from Lang Son, you should pass the Dong Dang/Ping Xian border gate. From Dong Dang border gate, you can easily find transportation to Hanoi including buses or trains.

Weather information

Vietnam and China feature different climates and weather patterns with China’s being more varied.

• Climate: China has a wider range of climates, from subarctic in the north to tropical in the south, while Vietnam has a tropical climate that is rather hot all year round. 
• Weather: In China, there are four distinct seasons and the winter is much colder in the northern regions. Meanwhile, Vietnam has two seasons including rainy and dry seasons.
• Temperature: China experiences very cold winters in the north, with temperatures dropping well below freezing in cities such as Beijing and Harbin. In contrast, the southern regions of China such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong have milder winters, with temperatures ranging between 10-20°C. The summers in China can be very hot, especially in the central and southern parts of the country, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C. Vietnam, on the other hand, has a more consistent tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The northern region of Vietnam has cooler winters, with temperatures averaging between 15-20°C, while the south has a hot and humid climate with temperatures averaging between 25-30°C year-round. Vietnam experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which usually lasts from May to October.