If you want to travel to Vietnam for a vacation or a business trip, you need a visa or E-visa for this purpose. Here's how to get a travel permit for Vietnam quickly and easily.
Almost all international travelers need a visa or E-visa for a stay in Vietnam. Only a few countries are exempt from this requirement.
Foreigners who wish to enter Vietnam can apply for an E-visa, which will allow them to cross the border quickly and easily.
The electronic travel authorization (E-visa) makes traveling to Vietnam much easier, as it has replaced the classic and bureaucracy-intensive visa issued by the embassies.
With an approved E-visa, any foreigner is allowed to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days for tourist trips, visiting family and friends, or certain business activities.
In addition to your citizenship in a Vietnam E-visa-approved country, you must meet additional requirements to enter the country on an E-visa:
The E-visa for Vietnam is valid for a maximum of 90 days and can be used for one or more entries.
With an E-visa, you are allowed to enter Vietnam at the following border points: Bo Y, Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Can Tho, Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong), Cau Treo, Cha Lo, Chan May Seaport, Da Nang International Airport, Da Nang Seaport, Duong Dong Seaport, Ha Tien, Hai Phong Seaport, Ho Chi Minh City Seaport, Hon Gai Seaport, Huu Nghi, La Lay, Lao Bao, Lao Cai, Moc Bai, Mong Cai, Na Meo, Nam Can, Nha Trang Seaport, Noi Bai International Airport (Ha Noi), Phu Bai International Airport, Phu Quoc International Airport, Quy Nhon Seaport, Song Tien, Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Tay Trang, Tinh Bien, Vung Tau Seaport und Xa Mat
During the Vietnam E-visa application process, you will need to upload the following documents:
If you are traveling to Vietnam with children, each child over 14 years of age who has their own passport will also need their own E-visa. Children under 14 included in their parent’s passport can be added to the parent’s E-visa application.
Suppose you are traveling as a single parent with children. In that case, you should carry appropriate documents proving the legitimacy of the joint trip (e.g., powers of attorney from all legal guardians, including copies of identification and birth certificates).
Minors traveling alone must carry an official letter of consent from their legal guardian(s).
Completing your submission will take about five minutes on the E-visa application page of our partner iVisa. For this, please have your personal information, your digital passport photo, the data page of your passport, and your travel dates, including your first accommodation address in Vietnam, ready.
Double-check the correctness of all information before submitting it. If the entered data does not match the details in your passport, you risk rejection of your E-visa or entry at the border.
After three days at the latest, your E-visa should be approved. You will receive an email to the address you provided. Please print it out and include it in your travel documents.
An E-visa for Vietnam is valid for a single entry and a maximum of 90 days. The validity period starts from the date indicated in your E-visa approval. You can enter Vietnam on any date within this validity period and then stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time.
If your E-visa application for Vietnam is rejected, this may be due to various reasons. The most common ones include incorrect or incomplete information in the application form and wrong formats of uploaded documents.
If, upon review, you discover that you have made formal or clerical errors, you can correct them and submit a new application.
In some cases, E-visas are rejected due to immigration concerns. This means that a person must undergo a more thorough review before entering the country. So, instead of an E-visa, a rejected applicant will have to apply for a traditional visa at the embassy or consulate.
Should you suspect that the reason for your E-visa rejection is a security concern on the part of the authorities, we recommend contacting the consulate or embassy.
When you reach the Vietnamese border, have your travel documents ready to present them to the officials. These include:
Border personnel may question you about the purpose of your trip, your ties to your home country, and your financial situation again. Answer all questions truthfully and remain friendly.
Please follow the current entry regulations, including all safety instructions when entering Vietnam.
Find out about the exact import regulations for Vietnam before you enter the country.
Do you have further questions about the Vietnam visa? Our FAQ will help you to find the answers:
The Vietnamese authorities usually process an E-visa within 3 working days. However, as it may take longer in some cases, we recommend applying about 14 days before your planned entry. Please note that you must enter Vietnam within the 30-day validity period.
The last day of validity of your E-visa is also the last day you are allowed to enter Vietnam with it. This means that you do not need to apply for a new E-visa until your old one has expired.
However, keep in mind that your E-visa is digitally linked to your passport. If you apply for a new passport, you will also need a new E-visa.
Once you have arrived in Vietnam on your E-visa, you can arrange for an extension of your residence permit if you have a valid reason. This works best by asking the organization or company that invited you to Vietnam to make the official request on your behalf.
The company or organization will submit the extension application to the Vietnamese Immigration Department. For business trips and investors, an E-visa can be issued with a validity period of up to five years. Alternatively, you can also apply for a new E-visa for multiple entries by paying an additional fee and submitting supplementary documents.
You may only work in Vietnam with an E-visa if you have applied for it for this purpose and have indicated this in your application. Note the initial validity period of 30 days.
If you wish to work in Vietnam beyond this period, you must apply for a visa extension through your employer.
If you are just passing through Vietnam and do not want to leave the airport, you do not need a transit visa for your transit stopover in Vietnam.
It is recommended to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations, including measles, mumps, rubella, and seasonal influenza. In addition, some travelers may need vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis, depending on travel plans and pre-existing conditions. Consult your physician or travel health professional for individualized advice.
Credit cards are increasingly accepted, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is still the preferred payment method in many places. It is advisable to carry enough cash for small expenses and use credit cards for larger purchases or at established businesses.
Solo traveling in Vietnam can be safe and rewarding if you take a few precautions:
The official language is Vietnamese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among the younger generation, especially in larger cities. In rural areas, it may be helpful to have some basic Vietnamese phrases or a translation app handy.
The best time to travel to Vietnam depends on the region you wish to visit. In general, the main travel season is from November to April, when the weather is cooler and drier. However, certain regions such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, and the northern mountainous areas are best visited from October to April, and central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Danang) from February to August. Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) has a dry season with more pleasant temperatures from December to April.
Vietnam offers a wide variety of destinations to explore. Some places you should definitely visit are
Vietnam is generally considered a safe country to travel to. However, as with any destination, it is essential to take the usual precautions. Especially in crowded places, be aware of your valuables and avoid displaying them openly. Cross busy streets with caution and use reliable transportation.
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Some shops will accept US dollars, but for everyday transactions, it is best to use VND. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas so that you can withdraw cash with your debit or credit card. Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid card problems.
There are several modes of transportation in Vietnam, including taxis, motorcycle taxis (xe om), buses, and trains. In cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab are popular and convenient. If you're feeling adventurous, renting a motorcycle is a great way to explore smaller towns and rural areas. Domestic flights or overnight trains are a good option for longer trips.