Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens

Contents [show]

Highlights
Do South African passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
Are there exceptions or visa exemptions available?
Can South African citizens get an e-visa?
Can South African citizens get a visa-on-arrival?
Vietnam E-visa versus Vietnam Visa-on-arrival - Which one is better?
Can South African citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?
Summary
Visa samples and downloads

As of 2025, South African citizens must have a valid visa to enter Vietnam and are eligible for the 90-day E-visa (single/multiple entry). The following documents may be required:

South African passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the arrival date.
Passport has at least 2 blank visa pages.

Type of visa	Requirements	Maximum stay
Tourist visa	Visa required	N/A
E-visa	Eligible	90 days

Highlights

All South African citizens require a visa to enter Vietnam.
South African citizens can apply for an e-visa, visa on arrival, or a visa sticker through a local Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
Processing time varies from 3-7 working days, visa fee starts from 25 USD(~457 ZAR), with fast-track service available.

Do South African passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes.
South African passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam. This applies to all purposes of entry, including:

Tourism
Business
Visiting relatives
Investment
Journalism

Are there exceptions or visa exemptions available?

Overseas Vietnamese currently residing in South Africa as well as their spouses/children are eligible to obtain a 5-year visa exemption certificate. Contact your closest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for further details on application.

Can South African citizens get an e-visa?

Yes.
In fact this is now the most convenient way for South African visitors to obtain a visa for Vietnam.

Validity
Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry

Processing time and fee
Processing time: 3–7 business days
Fee: $25 (single entry) or $50 (multiple entry)

How to apply
Apply online via the official government portal: evisa.gov.vn
Or apply through a visa agency.
If you apply for an e-visa with us the processing time and fees are as follows:

Type of visa	Processing time	Fee*
1 Month Multiple Entry (Tourism)	Standard processing (5-7 working days)	1,463 ZAR
	Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri)	2,104 ZAR
	Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri)	2,250 ZAR
	Emergency (4 Working Hours)	2,707 ZAR
3 Month Multiple Entry (Tourism)	Standard processing (5-7 working days)	1,463 ZAR
	Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri)	2,104 ZAR
	Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri)	2,250 ZAR
	Emergency (4 Working Hours)	2,707 ZAR
3 Month Single Entry (Tourism)	Standard processing (5-7 working days)	1,006 ZAR
	Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri)	1,646 ZAR
	Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri)	1,793 ZAR
	Emergency (4 Working Hours)	2,250 ZAR
1 Month Single Entry (Tourism)	Standard processing (5-7 working days)	1,006 ZAR
	Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri)	1,646 ZAR
	Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri)	1,793 ZAR
	Emergency (4 Working Hours)	2,250 ZAR

* The fee already includes visa processing fee and government visa fee

Apply for E-VISA online

Can South African citizens get a visa-on-arrival?

Yes.
But please note that you need a pre-approved visa letter before boarding the plane to Vietnam. Upon arrival at Vietnamese airport you need to present this letter along with your passport to get the visa stamp and enter Vietnam.

Validity
Up to 30 days, single or multiple entry

Processing time and fee
Processing time: 3–5 business days
Fee: $25 (single entry) or $50 (multiple entry) plus the visa approval letter fee.

How to apply
Apply online through a visa agency.
If you apply for a visa-on-arrival with us the processing time and fees are as follows:

Type of visa	Processing time	Fee*
1 Month Single Entry	05 Working Days	457 ZAR
	03 Working Days	1,006 ZAR
	02 Working Days	1,189 ZAR
	Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours)	Contact us
3 Month Single Entry	05 Working Days	640 ZAR
	03 Working Days	1,006 ZAR
	02 Working Days	1,372 ZAR
	Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours)	Contact us
1 Month Multiple Entry	05 Working Days	640 ZAR
	03 Working Days	1,189 ZAR
	02 Working Days	1,372 ZAR
	Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours)	Contact us
3 Month Multiple Entry	05 Working Days	823 ZAR
	03 Working Days	1,372 ZAR
	02 Working Days	1,555 ZAR
	Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours)	Contact us

* The fee does NOT include the visa stamp fee at the Vietnam airport.

Apply for Visa-on-arrival

Vietnam E-visa versus Vietnam Visa-on-arrival - Which one is better?

It depends on your personal preference.

Below we list the pros and cons of Vietnam e-visa and Vietnam visa on arrival which you can decide which one works best for you as South African citizens.

	E-Visa	Visa On Arrival
South African citizens can apply	Yes	Yes
Airport/ Seaport/ Landport	All airports/ Seaports/ Landports	Only airport
Max stay	90 days	30 days
Wait time at airport	None	30 minutes on average
Processing time	3-5 working days	2-4 working days
Fast track service available	Yes	Yes
Fastest processing time (fast-track service)	4-8 hours	2 hours
Document received	E-visa (pdf) to your email	- Visa approval letter (pdf) to your emai - Visa stamp at Vietnam airport
Fee	$25-$50	Varies
How easy to obtain (out of 5 with 5 being the easier)	4.5/5	3.5/5
Pros	No need to wait at Vietnam airport	No need to submit photo thus reduce risk of delay
Cons	Can meet with delay if you do not submit quality passport photos and photos scan	30 minutes wait time at Vietnam airport to get visa stamp
Common issues	Wrong details on application (name spelling/ name order/ date of birth/ passport expiration date) Photos do not meet requirement (photo format, background light)	Forget to obtain the visa approval letter prior to boarding plane

Can South African citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?

Yes.
You can apply in person or by mail for a visa to enter Vietnam at the closest Vietnamese Embassy or consulate. Since each of them can require a slightly different set of documents it is best to contact them directly and fulfill the requirement.
Below is the listings of Vietnamese embassies and consulates in South Africa:

Pretoria - ZA. Embassy

87 Brooks Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria, Republic Of South Africa.
Tel: + 27 (0)12 362 8119, + 27 (0)12 362 8118
Fax: + 27 (0)12 362 8115
Email: embassy@vietnam.co.za
Website: https://vnembassy-pretoria.mofa.gov.vn/

Office closures
Office hours may change during Vietnamese and South African public holidays. Please contact the consular office in advance to confirm opening times.

Holiday	Date
Youth Day	June 16, 2025
National Women's Day	Aug. 9, 2025
Independence Day	Sept. 2, 2025
Heritage Day	Sept. 24, 2025

Summary

South African visitors need a valid passport and visa to enter Vietnam.
Current available method of application: e-visa/ visa-on-arrival/ visa at the embassy.
Allow at least 2 weeks in advance of your trip to apply for your visa. However if you are late you can always get a fast track service to get the visa on time for your travel.
Take into account Vietnam public holiday which will affect your visa processing time.
Each method of visa application requires a different set of information, make sure to read instructions carefully and provide the necessary information and documents.

Visa samples and downloads

Questions and Answers (18)

AILSA LEITCH

South Africa 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Hi, I am struggling to pay for my e-visa application, the website says i have the incorrect payment details and need to recreate a profile but i cant seem to do that either? I have tried emailing and phoning the embassy but unsuccessfully. Any suggestions? Are there banking details that I can just do an EFT to?

A Answered by Lan Answered 6 months, 2 weeks ago

@AILSA LEITCH, unfortunately, we are unable to assist with the payment inquiry on the official website. Since bank transfer is not available, we suggest asking a friend or family member to pay for your visa application on your behalf. Additionally, please check with your bank to see to make sure that your card is not blocking payments from Vietnam.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

shannon

Australia 7 months ago

Hi I'm travelling to Ho Chi Minh City next year on my SA passport from Melbourne, Australia. How do i apply for a visa for a 2 week trip?

A Answered by Lan Answered 7 months ago

@Shannon, you can apply for an e-visa with your SA passport. Below is the official website for the e-visa application:

https://evisa.gov.vn/

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lyle

Thailand 1 year, 2 months ago

Hi, I'm South African citizen currently living in Bangkok. I'd like to know how do I apply for a travel tourist visa to enter Vietnam. Please kindly advise . Thank you

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 2 months ago

@Lyle, South African passports are eligible for the online e-visa application. You can apply directly on the official website below:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Keabetswe Maseko

South Africa 1 year, 5 months ago

Hello. I am a South African living in South Korea and will be connecting on a flight to Bali in Ho Chi Mihn City. I will not be leaving the airport so I’m wondering if I’ll still need a visa to connect on another flight in Vietnam even if I’m not planning on leaving the airport?

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 5 months ago

Hello, as long as you stay within the transit area, you do not need a visa for this transit flight.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Matthew Dewey

South Africa 1 year, 5 months ago

Hi, I'm a South African considering a trip to Vietnam for a couple of weeks. Are there any entry requirements for a visa?

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 5 months ago

Hello, yes, you need a valid visa to visit Vietnam, and you can apply for an e-visa online for entry.

18 people found this helpful

Helpful

Liezel Coetzer

South Africa 1 year, 6 months ago

Hello :) I am a South African Citizen residing in South Africa. I have a trip planned to Vietnam in March 2024 - how long does it take to apply/get your visa to Vietnam? Thanks so much!

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 6 months ago

@Liezel Coetzer, The e-visa application may take 3-5 working days; however, we advise that you apply before February to make sure you receive your visa before you travel.

3 people found this helpful

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Sudarthi Naidoo

South Africa 1 year, 7 months ago

Hi. I am a South African currently in Thailand. I want to travel to Vietnam in 7 days time. Can I apply for a 3 month multiple entry evisa and how long will it take to process?

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 7 months ago

Yes, you can apply for a 3-month e-visa (multi-entry), and the process may take about 3-5 working days. If possible, we advise that you not book your travel until you receive your e-visa.

5 people found this helpful

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LindaAnn

South Africa 1 year, 8 months ago

Hello. I have a South African passport, but live and work in Cambodia (valid year visa and work permit). Can I still apply for a tourist visa, as I know at one stage it was very difficult, South Africans entering Vietnam from Cambodia, were denied entry. Thank you.

A Answered by Lina Answered 1 year, 8 months ago

@LindaAnn, As a South African passport holder, you are eligible for the evisa application. Therefore, you can apply for an evisa to visit Vietnam from Cambodia without any issues.

4 people found this helpful

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Karabo Mokoena

South Africa 1 year, 9 months ago

Hi I tried to apply for an evisa and South Africa is not on the list of countries. Has it not been updated yet?

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 1 year, 9 months ago

@Karabo Mokoena, Could you please check back in a few hours? We are currently in the process of upgrading our form. Once it's completed, you'll be able to select your country from the options available. Thank you!

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Maggy Pieterse

South African 1 year, 10 months ago

Is visa on arrival available for South African citizens? I am getting conflicting information on the internet. Embassy not answering when I call!

A Answered by Lan Answered 1 year, 10 months ago

South Africans are now eligible for the e-visa application, you can find more information in our update here. Therefore, you can apply for an e-visa online to visit Vietnam instead of using visa on arrival.

8 people found this helpful

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Lynn Radford

South Africa 1 year, 11 months ago

I am trying to get hold of the Vietnam embassy in Pretoria to get assistance with a tourism. I believe the process is quite complicated. Can anyone assist me.?? Phone was not awerered!

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 1 year, 11 months ago

@Lynn Radford, In order to get a visa for Vietnam at the embassy, you are required a pre-approved visa letter from a travel agency in Vietnam. As we know, e-visa will be made available to more countries including South African passports in coming months.

16 people found this helpful

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Stuart Rose

United Kingdom 2 years ago

Hi I am a South African currently living in the UK .I have cancelled a cruise with Celebrity due to Visa issues. Neither Celebrity Cruise, Vietnemese embassy in London or visa companies in Vietnam or UK could resolve the visa issue . We can not apply for evisa arriving by sea seems to confuse the Vietnamese they talk about a letter from tour company which has to be Vietnamese. After 6 weeks getting nowhere I cancelled. So be very careful if you are attempting to cruise to Vietnam!

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Stuart Rose, We are sorry to hear that you had a bad experience in getting a visa for your cruise trip. As far as we know, the e-visa system will soon be available to all nationalities, including South African passport holders (Expected to be effective this July). We hope to welcome you in Vietnam one day soon!

14 people found this helpful

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Retief Jordaan

South Africa 2 years ago

I will hopefully be coming to Halong Bay, Vietnam sometime early next year on the Clipper Round The World Yacht race. Is the only option available to visit the Embassy in Pretoria, or is there other options available (i.e. online applications)

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Retief Jordaan, E-visas are expected to be available to all nationalities starting in July/August. Therefore, if you plan to travel to Vietnam next year, you may be able to apply for an e-visa at that time.

4 people found this helpful

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Lynne Du Toit

South Africa 2 years ago

Do you think the eVisa for South Africans will be available in June, and if so what is the processing time, and, will the Tour Operator letter still be required for eVisas?

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Lynne Du Toit, As far as we know, the e-visa system is expected to be available for all nationalities, possibly by late June. Therefore, if your trip is in early June, you can contact one of the travel agencies below for assistance in obtaining the visa approval letter for your travel.

Aurora travel (vietnamstay.com)
Exo Travel (https://www.exotravel.com)

Helpful

Jevauhn

South Africa 2 years ago

Hi Lina my wife and I are planning to go Hanoi Vietnam next month. If we apply for e-visa 01 June 2023 does one still need an organized tour and an operator to apply on your behalf or can you do the e-visa without assistance from an organised tour agency.

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Jevauhn, Unfortunately, the e-visa system is not yet available for South African passports. However, if you are traveling on a tour program, you can ask the tour operator to obtain an approval letter for your entry.

1 people found this helpful

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Rieshqa Noordien

South Africa 2 years ago

I have already booked my flights and tour to visit Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in June. Now I see that South Africans are not allowed to get an E-visa. What should I do now? please advise.

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years ago

@Rieshqa Noordien, The e-visa system will soon be made available for all nationalities, including South African passport holders. If you are not traveling until June, please wait for the visa policy updates by early June.

5 people found this helpful

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Najmah Omarjee

South Africa 2 years, 1 month ago

Do south african passport holders need a visa for vietnam while on a cruise

A Answered by Lan Answered 2 years, 1 month ago

@Najmah Omarjee, If you plan on staying on board the cruise ship, you may not require a visa for Vietnam. Nevertheless, we recommend that you reach out to your cruise operator for confirmation.

1 people found this helpful

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Aimee-Louise Frangos

South Africa 2 years, 1 month ago

I am a South African citizen and require a visa for as short as 3 days from 9 or 10 May 2023. I will be arriving at Noi Bai International Airport from Suvarnabhumi Airport. I intend on departing again from Noi Bai International Airport on 12 May. I am of the understanding that South Africans are not eligible for e-visas, and further that the the visa on arrival procedure has changed - you now require pre-approval. I also believe that the visa regulations may be changed between 29 April and 3 May. Kindly advise whether you are able to obtain a short stay tourist visa on my behalf as well as the total cost, excluding the 25 USD airport immigration stamp.

A Answered by Lina Tran Answered 2 years, 1 month ago

@Aimee, Visa on arrival is only available if you travel on an organized tour with a local tour operator. As such, we recommend that you contact the Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok to obtain a visa before your trip.

2 people found this helpful

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Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use the e-Visa if I fly from countries other than South Africa?

Yes.

2. Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam if I am a UK citizen residing in South Africa?

Whether you need a visa to enter Vietnam or not depends on your nationality, not your residing country. So if you are a UK citizen living in South Africa, you are EXEMPTED from a Vietnam visa for stays of up to 15 days. You must obtain an e-visa, a visa on arrival, or a visa at the Vietnam Embassy in South Africa for extended stays.

3. Are South African people eligible for a Vietnam visa exemption?

South Africa is NOT on the Vietnam exemption list (which includes 25 countries), so you must apply for a visa to visit Vietnam.

4. Is there a Consulate General of Vietnam in South Africa?

There is no Consulate General of Vietnam in South Africa but the Vietnam Embassy is located at 87 Brooks St., Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa.

5. Are South African nationals eligible for a Vietnam e-visa?

Citizens from South Africa are not granted a Vietnam e-visa and you must obtain the visa at Vietnam Embassy or on arrival at a Vietnam international airport.