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Short answer: the official Vietnam visa cost in 2026 is US$25 for a single-entry e-visa and US$50 for a multiple-entry e-visa, both valid for up to 90 days. Children under 14 pay a flat US$25 for any visa. Visa on arrival is single entry only: you pay US$25 in cash on arrival, plus the fee for the approval letter. If your passport is on the visa-free list, you pay nothing.

This guide shows every fee you can meet, with the legal source for each one. It also shows what four typical trips really cost, how to tell the government portal from an overpriced copy, and what you get back if a visa is refused. Our own prices sit next to the official fee, so you can decide whether you need help at all.

Official Vietnam visa cost in 2026 (government fees)

Vietnam sets visa fees by circular from the Ministry of Finance. The current schedule is Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, signed on 27 March 2026 and in force since 1 April 2026. It kept the earlier headline rates, so the US$25 and US$50 prices you may have seen before are still correct. The Government news portal published the full list on the same day.

The table lists the fees that go to the Vietnam Immigration Department. They do not include any agency service fee.

Visas longer than 90 days need a sponsor in Vietnam, such as an employer or a family member. For that reason, most tourists only deal with the first two rows and the child rate. Foreigners who live in Vietnam often hold a temporary residence card instead. The card costs US$145 for up to 2 years, US$155 for over 2 to 5 years and US$165 for over 5 to 10 years.

Visas issued at Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad follow the same rates under Circular 163/2026/TT-BTC, in force since 1 November 2026.

Vietnam e-visa cost: US$25 or US$50

The e-visa is now the main route for tourists. It is open to every nationality, and it lasts up to 90 days. You choose the entry type when you apply.

• Single entry, US$25: you enter Vietnam once. When you leave, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry, US$50: you can leave and come back while the visa is valid. This suits trips that include Cambodia, Laos or Thailand.
• Child under 14, US$25: the same price for single or multiple entry. Each child still needs a separate application.

You pay online by international card on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Results usually arrive in about three working days, and there is no further fee on arrival. However, applications for 51 nationalities are currently paused or not being approved, so check the Vietnam visa requirements by nationality first. For photos, entry gates and every step, read our Vietnam e-visa guide.

Visa on arrival cost: approval letter plus stamping fee

Visa on arrival is a two-part cost. First, a licensed agency obtains a visa approval letter for you. Then, at the border gate named on the letter, you pay the stamping fee in cash to the immigration officer.

• Approval letter: paid to the agency. The price depends on speed and visa length.
• Stamping fee: US$25, cash only, because visa on arrival is now single entry only. Clean US dollar notes are safest.

Because you pay twice, visa on arrival usually costs more than an e-visa. It is also for tourist trips and single entry only, and our letters cover stays of up to 15 days. That is why we now recommend it mainly for urgent trips. See how the letter works in our guide to the visa approval letter, and what happens at the counter in Vietnam visa on arrival.

Total Vietnam visa cost by route

The government fee is only part of the total. The comparison below shows what one adult really pays on each route.

What four common trips really cost

These examples use the government fee only, so you can compare them with any quote you receive.

In short, if you have time and feel confident with the form, applying yourself is the cheapest option. On the other hand, a service makes sense when the trip is close, the form is complex, or a refusal would ruin expensive plans.

Our prices, shown openly

We are a private visa service, not a government website. You can always apply yourself at evisa.gov.vn for the official fee. If you prefer help, these are our current prices for a US passport, tourist purpose, standard processing. Each price already includes the government part of your Vietnam visa cost.

The same prices apply to most passports, including those from the UK, Canada, Australia, India and mainland China. However, three things can change your total Vietnam visa cost. Our application form shows the exact amount before you pay.

1. Faster processing

Standard processing takes 4 working days. So if you need your visa sooner, you can pay for a faster option.

Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and Vietnamese public holidays. Moreover, during some holidays the form shows a separate holiday rate.

2. Business purpose

For most passports, a business e-visa costs US$10 more than a tourist e-visa. For example, a 30-day single-entry business e-visa costs US$70.

3. Your nationality

In addition, some passports have a higher price. The table below compares our tourist e-visa prices, with standard processing, for most passports and for passports such as Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Nepal and Ukraine.

Also, for these passports, faster processing has its own fees, from US$15 to US$135 extra. Similarly, our form does not offer visa approval letters for these passports.
Our fee covers a document check, submission, follow-up with you, and a refund under our refund policy if the visa is not granted for reasons outside your control.

How to avoid paying too much for a Vietnam visa

Many websites sell Vietnam visas, and some look like government pages. Paying an agency is legal, but you should know what you are paying for. Run these five checks before you enter your card details.

1. Check the address. The government portal is evisa.gov.vn. Any other address is a private website.
2. Compare the price. The government fee is US$25 or US$50. Everything above that is a service fee.
3. Be careful with the word “official”. A private site that presents itself as the government is a warning sign.
4. Look for a fee breakdown. A fair service shows its own fee apart from the government fee, as we do above.
5. Read the refund terms first. Know what happens if the visa is refused or delayed before you pay.

Refunds: what you get back if a visa is refused

The government fee is not refunded if your e-visa is refused, or if you made a mistake in the form. As a result, a typo in a passport number can cost you a second fee. An agency may refund its own service fee, depending on its policy. Ours is explained in our refund policy.

Hidden costs most travelers forget

• Card fees: some banks add a foreign transaction fee when you pay online.
• Cash for the stamp: visa on arrival counters take cash only. Bring small US dollar notes.
• Photos: visa on arrival needs a 4×6 cm photo. Bring your own to avoid delays.
• Mistakes: a wrong passport number or date can mean a new application and a second fee.
• Overstaying: under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, fines start at VND 0.5–2 million for less than 16 days and reach VND 30–40 million for a year or more, and you may be deported.

Can you avoid the Vietnam visa cost completely?

Yes, in two common cases. First, citizens of 39 countries can enter without a visa. For example, 24 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea, get 45 days. Second, any foreign visitor can stay on Phu Quoc island for up to 30 days without a visa when arriving there directly from abroad. Check the full list in our guide: who is exempted from Vietnam visa.

Other costs to know before you enter Vietnam

Foreigners landing at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Cam Ranh airports must submit a Digital Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing. It is free on the official site, prearrival.immigration.gov.vn, so you never need to pay an agency for it. Also, if you want to stay longer once you are in Vietnam, the government fee for an extension is US$10, where an extension is allowed.

FAQ: Vietnam visa cost

How much is a Vietnam visa for US citizens?

The government fee is US$25 for a single-entry e-visa or US$50 for multiple entry, and US$25 for a child under 14. US citizens are not visa-exempt, so every traveler needs a visa. Read more in our guide to the Vietnam visa for US citizens.

Is the Vietnam visa fee different by nationality?

No. The official fee is the same for all nationalities. However, agency prices can differ, because some passports need more checks.

Do children pay the same visa fee?

Not always. Children under 14 pay a flat US$25 for any visa, so a child’s multiple-entry e-visa costs US$25 instead of US$50. Each child, including babies, still needs their own application.

Is the e-visa fee refundable?

No. The government does not refund the fee if your e-visa is refused or contains errors. Check every field before you pay.

Can I pay the stamping fee by card at the airport?

No. Visa on arrival counters accept cash only. US dollars are the safest choice.

Is a multiple-entry visa worth the extra US$25?

Only if you will leave and re-enter Vietnam during the trip. For a simple round trip, the single-entry visa is enough.

Sources: Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC (Ministry of Finance, 27 March 2026); Viet Nam Government News, 1 April 2026; the official e-visa portal evisa.gov.vn; Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP and 229/NQ-CP on visa exemption; our own visa on arrival cases (November 2026). Last reviewed: 10 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.

Citizens of 39 countries are exempted from Vietnam visa for short stays in 2026. The length depends on your passport. Chile and Panama get 90 days. Next, 24 countries get 45 days, including the UK, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea. Most of Vietnam’s neighbours get 30 days, while the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar and Indonesia get 14 to 21 days. In addition, any foreigner can visit Phu Quoc island visa-free for up to 30 days.

Below, you will find the full list, checked against Vietnam’s government resolutions and bilateral agreements. You will also find an A to Z lookup, the 2026 changes and the conditions officers check at the border. Finally, we explain what to do when your trip is longer than your visa-free limit.

Full list: who is exempted from Vietnam visa in 2026

A to Z: look up your passport

Find your country below. If it is not listed, you are not exempted from Vietnam visa and should use the Vietnam e-visa, or check our Vietnam visa requirements by nationality for your own country guide.

• B: Belarus: 30 days per visit, no more than 90 days in total per year · Belgium: 45 days, tourism · Brunei: 14 days · Bulgaria: 45 days, tourism
• C: Cambodia: 30 days · Chile: 90 days · Croatia: 45 days, tourism · Czechia: 45 days, tourism
• D: Denmark: 45 days
• F: Finland: 45 days · France: 45 days
• G: Germany: 45 days
• H: Hungary: 45 days, tourism
• I: Indonesia: 14 days, tourism or family visits (30 days before 15 July 2026) · Italy: 45 days
• J: Japan: 45 days
• K: Kazakhstan: 30 days per visit, up to 90 days in 180 days · Kyrgyzstan: 30 days
• L: Laos: 30 days · Luxembourg: 45 days, tourism
• M: Malaysia: 30 days · Mongolia: 30 days · Myanmar: 14 days
• N: Netherlands: 45 days, tourism · Norway: 45 days
• P: Panama: 90 days · Philippines: 21 days · Poland: 45 days, tourism
• R: Romania: 45 days, tourism · Russia: 45 days
• S: Singapore: 30 days · Slovakia: 45 days, tourism · Slovenia: 45 days, tourism · South Korea: 45 days · Spain: 45 days · Sweden: 45 days · Switzerland: 45 days, tourism
• T: Thailand: 30 days
• U: United Kingdom: 45 days (British citizen passports)

The legal basis for each country is shown in the full list above.

What changed in 2026

• Indonesia, 15 July 2026: the visa-free stay for Indonesian passports dropped from 30 to 14 days, in line with the ASEAN framework agreement, and now covers tourism and family visits only. For longer stays or other purposes, Indonesians need a visa, usually the e-visa.
• China, 12 October 2026: Resolution 325/NQ-CP started a pilot for Chinese citizens with ordinary passports. They can enter visa-free if they travel in a group of at least two on a package tour run by a Vietnamese international tour operator. The group must fly directly from mainland China to Cam Ranh, stay within Khanh Hoa province and leave through Cam Ranh. It runs until 31 December 2027 and does not cover independent travelers or Hong Kong and Macau passports.
• Timor-Leste, 9 June 2026: a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports was signed but is not yet in force, so Timorese travelers still need an e-visa. See our Timorese guide.
• Digital Arrival Card: visa-free travelers landing at the main international airports must submit the free card within 72 hours before arrival.

Rules for travelers exempted from Vietnam visa

Visa-free entry is not unconditional. At the border, officers may check that you meet these rules:

• Your passport is valid for at least six months from arrival and has blank pages.
• You have a return or onward ticket, and you can show where you are staying.
• Your purpose fits the exemption: the 12 countries under Resolution 229/NQ-CP and Indonesia are exempt for tourism, and no exemption allows you to work.
• You are not on an entry ban list and have not overstayed before.
• You have submitted the free Digital Arrival Card where it is required.

Can I extend a visa-free stay?

In general, no. Plan to leave before your limit ends. If you want to stay longer, apply for an e-visa before you travel, so that you arrive on the e-visa instead of the exemption.

Is there a waiting time between two visa-free visits?

No. The old rule that a visa-free visitor had to wait 30 days after leaving before entering again was removed by Law 51/2019/QH14 from 1 July 2020. However, officers can still ask about frequent back-to-back entries, so carry proof of onward travel. Belarus also has a cap of no more than 90 days in total per year, and Kazakhstan has a cap of 90 days in any 180 days.

Which passports do not count?

The exemptions cover ordinary passports of the countries listed. A British National (Overseas) passport is not covered by the UK exemption, and refugee or stateless travel documents follow their own rules. Diplomatic and official passports are covered by separate agreements.

Overseas territories: which passport counts

People from overseas territories travel on the passport of the country the territory belongs to, so the rule for that country applies:

• Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Danish passport, visa-free for up to 45 days.
• Réunion, Mayotte, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and New Caledonia: French passport, visa-free for up to 45 days.
• Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten: Dutch passport, visa-free for up to 45 days.
• Gibraltar, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands: a British citizen passport is visa-free for up to 45 days. A British Overseas Territories citizen passport may not be treated the same way, so apply for an e-visa or check with us before you travel on one.
• Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa: US passport, so an e-visa is needed. See our Vietnam visa guide for US citizens.
• Niue and the Cook Islands: New Zealand passport, so an e-visa is needed. See our Vietnam visa guide for New Zealand citizens.

Other ways to enter Vietnam without a visa

• Phu Quoc: any foreigner can stay up to 30 days without a visa on Phu Quoc island, if they fly in directly from abroad or transit through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City airports without leaving the airport. Travel to the mainland needs a visa or an exemption.
• Overseas Vietnamese and their families: a visa exemption certificate, valid for up to 5 years, allows multiple visits of up to 180 days each.
• APEC Business Travel Card: holders whose card is endorsed for Vietnam (VNM) can enter for business without a visa.
• Diplomatic and official passports: many countries have separate exemption agreements, for example official passports of China, Cuba and North Korea. See our North Korean guide for one example.
• Airport transit: no visa is needed if you stay inside the international transit area and leave within 24 hours.

Not exempted from Vietnam visa? Use the e-visa

If your country is not on the list, or your stay is longer than your exemption, the e-visa is the simplest solution. It lasts up to 90 days, costs US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, and is open to every nationality except those whose applications are currently paused; see our page on nationalities that cannot get a Vietnam visa. You can apply on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, or through our service. Processing takes about 3 working days; see Vietnam visa processing time and Vietnam visa costs.

Examples

• British traveler, 3 weeks: exempted from Vietnam visa. No visa needed.
• British traveler, 2 months: longer than 45 days, so apply for a 90-day e-visa before flying.
• Dutch couple on a business trip: the Netherlands exemption is for tourism, so a business e-visa is the safer choice.
• Indonesian family, 3 weeks in August 2026: longer than the new 14-day limit, so apply for an e-visa.
• Thai traveler, 3 weeks: exempted for up to 30 days. No visa needed.
• American traveler, 1 week: not exempted. Apply for an e-visa; see our US citizens guide.
• Australian couple, 10 days on Phu Quoc only, flying in from Singapore: visa-free on Phu Quoc.

FAQ: who is exempted from Vietnam visa

How many countries are exempted from Vietnam visa?

For ordinary passports, 39 countries in November 2026, with stays from 14 to 90 days. Everyone can also visit Phu Quoc visa-free for 30 days.

Are US citizens exempted from Vietnam visa?

No. US passport holders need a visa, usually the 90-day e-visa.

Are Chinese citizens exempted from Vietnam visa?

Not in general. Only tour groups under the Khanh Hoa pilot and holders of certain official passports are exempt; independent travelers need an e-visa.

Is Indonesia still 30 days visa-free?

No. Since 15 July 2026, Indonesian passport holders can stay up to 14 days visa-free, for tourism or family visits.

Do I need a visa if I only transit through Vietnam?

No, if you stay inside the international transit area of the airport and leave within 24 hours.

Sources: Vietnam Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP (2025), 229/NQ-CP (2025) and 325/NQ-CP (2026); Law 51/2019/QH14; Vietnam–Belarus and Vietnam–Kazakhstan visa exemption agreements; Embassy of Indonesia in Hanoi via CNA (July 2026); Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Last reviewed: 10 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.

The Vietnam e-visa ports of entry are the 83 international border gates where you can enter or leave Vietnam with an e-visa: 17 airports, 27 land border gates and 39 seaports. The list grew from 42 gates to 83 after Resolution 389/NQ-CP of 2 December 2025. So if your flight changes from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, or you decide to come overland from Cambodia, you are almost certainly still covered.

However, one question causes real confusion: can you enter through a different gate from the one you typed on your application? This guide answers it honestly, lists the airports and main land crossings, and explains what to do if you hold a visa on arrival letter instead.

How many Vietnam e-visa ports of entry are there?

In August 2023, Vietnam opened the e-visa to every nationality and approved 42 gates: 13 airports, 16 land gates and 13 seaports. Then, in December 2025, the government added 41 more: 4 airports, 11 land gates and 26 seaports. As a result, the total is now 83.

Airports that accept the Vietnam e-visa

Most travelers arrive by air, so the airport list matters most. These are the 17 airports on the official list:

Long Thanh, the new airport for Ho Chi Minh City, accepts e-visas as soon as it starts international operations. Until then, check with your airline which airport your flight really uses.

Land border gates and seaports

The e-visa also works overland and by sea. For example, popular land crossings on the list include:

• With China: Huu Nghi, Mong Cai and Lao Cai, plus the Dong Dang and Lao Cai railway gates added in 2025.
• With Laos: Lao Bao, Cau Treo, Tay Trang, Nam Can, Cha Lo and Bo Y.
• With Cambodia: Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Tinh Bien and Ha Tien, plus newer gates such as Tan Nam, Thuong Phuoc and Dinh Ba.

Seaports include Hai Phong, Hon Gai (Ha Long), Chan May, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and Duong Dong on Phu Quoc. Cruise terminals sometimes use a different name from the port on the list, so check the port name with your cruise line before you apply.

Can you enter through a different port from the one on your application?

The e-visa form asks for your intended entry and exit gates, and since late 2025 many e-visas no longer print a specific gate. Vietnam has not published a notice that settles every case. So here is the practical rule we follow, based on our own cases:

1. You registered an airport: you can land at any airport on the e-visa list, for example Da Nang instead of Hanoi.
2. You registered a seaport or a land border gate: enter through that gate. Switching to another land or sea gate is not recommended.
3. You want to switch from air to land or sea: ask us, or the service that handled your visa, before you travel.
4. For leaving, any gate on the list is generally accepted.

What if you hold a visa on arrival approval letter?

A visa approval letter names your arrival gate. If it names an airport, you can land at any international airport in Vietnam. If it names a seaport or land border, enter through that gate, and tell your agency before you travel if your route changes. Visa on arrival gives 15 days, single entry. Our guide to visa on arrival compares the two options.

Worked examples

• Flight rerouted from Hanoi to Da Nang: Da Nang is on the list, and you registered an airport, so you can land there.
• Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: enter at Moc Bai with an e-visa. Visa on arrival works here only if your approval letter names Moc Bai.
• Fly into Hanoi, leave by train to China: exit through the Dong Dang or Lao Cai gate. Check the train route and your Chinese visa too.
• Cruise calling at Chan May and Nha Trang: choose multiple entry if the ship leaves Vietnam between ports, and match the port names with your cruise line.

Full list of the 83 Vietnam e-visa ports of entry

The lists below follow Resolutions 127/NQ-CP (2023) and 389/NQ-CP (December 2025). Gates marked “2025” were added by Resolution 389. Our application form currently lists only the 42 gates from 2023. So if you plan to use a 2025 land or sea gate, contact us before you apply, or apply yourself on evisa.gov.vn.

Land border gates (27)

Seaports (39)

From 2023 (13): Hon Gai, Cam Pha, Hai Phong, Nghi Son, Vung Ang, Chan May, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Dung Quat, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and Duong Dong (Phu Quoc).

Added in 2025 (26): Van Gia, Diem Dien, Hai Thinh, Ninh Binh, Cua Lo-Ben Thuy, Son Duong, Giang, Hon La, Cuu Viet, Thuan An, Ky Ha, Sa Ky, Vung Ro, Ca Na, Ninh Chu, Phu Quy, Lien Huong, Ben Luc, Dong Thap, Soai Rap-Hiep Phuoc, My Thoi, Hon Chong, An Thoi, Truong Long Hoa, Giao Long and Nam Can.

Before you arrive: the Digital Arrival Card

Whichever gate you use, check whether it requires the free Digital Arrival Card. It started at Tan Son Nhat on 15 April 2026 and has since been extended to Phu Quoc, Noi Bai, Da Nang and Cam Ranh. You submit it within 72 hours before arrival at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn and show the QR code at passport control.

FAQ: Vietnam e-visa ports of entry

Can I change my flight and arrive at another airport in Vietnam?

Yes. If you registered an airport, you can land at any of the 17 airports on the list (Long Thanh and Gia Binh once they open).

Can I enter Vietnam by land with an e-visa?

Yes, through any of the 27 listed land gates, such as Moc Bai or Lao Bao.

Can I leave from a different place than I entered?

Yes. Leaving through another listed gate is normal, for example entering at Hanoi and leaving at Ho Chi Minh City.

Where is the official list of e-visa gates?

On the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, and in Resolutions 127/NQ-CP and 389/NQ-CP. Our Vietnam e-visa guide covers the rest of the process.

How long does the e-visa take?

About 3 working days. See our guide to the Vietnam visa processing time.

Sources: Government Resolution 127/NQ-CP (14 August 2023); Government Resolution 389/NQ-CP (2 December 2025); Vietnam National E-Visa Portal; Vietnam Immigration Department notices on the Pre-arrival Information system. Gate lists: Resolution 389/NQ-CP as published by Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel). Last reviewed: 11 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.

Vietnam visa validity is the period between two dates printed on your visa: “valid from” and “valid until”. You can enter Vietnam on the start date or any day after it, and you must leave by the end date. For the e-visa, you choose both dates when you apply, and the period can be up to 90 days. Arriving even one day before the start date can mean refusal at the airline counter or at immigration.

So you do not need to know your exact arrival day, but you do need to choose dates that safely cover your whole trip. This guide shows how the dates work, how to choose them, and what happens if your plans change.

How Vietnam visa validity works

Think of your visa as a window. Your whole stay must fit inside it. Below, the example e-visa runs from 1 March to 29 May, which is 90 days when you count both dates.

• Arrive on 26 February: too early. The airline may refuse boarding, and immigration will not accept the visa yet.
• Arrive on 5 March: fine. Arriving later than the start date is allowed.
• Leave on 20 May: fine. You can leave any time before the end date.
• Leave on 2 June: overstay. Fines apply, and future visits can become harder.

Note that a late arrival does not move the end date. In other words, if you arrive on 5 March, your visa still ends on 29 May.

How to choose your dates on the application

Because the dates are fixed once the visa is issued, choose them with care.

1. Start date: use your planned arrival date, or one or two days earlier if your flight could change. A start date earlier than your arrival is harmless; a start date after your arrival is a problem.
2. End date: add at least two or three days after your planned departure. Delays and missed connections happen.
3. Length: stay within the 90-day maximum. For example, a 3-week trip from 10 to 31 July could use dates of 9 July to 3 August.
4. Time zones: use the date you land in Vietnam, not the date you take off at home. Overnight flights often land a day later.

Also check that your passport is valid for at least six months after you arrive. Otherwise, the airline may stop you even with a correct visa.

How to read the dates on your e-visa

Vietnam writes dates as day/month/year. For example, 05/03/2027 means 5 March 2027, not 3 May. This trips up many travelers from the United States, so read each date twice.

• Start date: the first day you may enter Vietnam.
• End date: the last day you may stay. Leave on or before it.
• Entries: single or multiple.
• Passport number: it must match the passport you travel with.

On the official portal, you choose your own end date, up to 90 days. On our application form, you choose a 30-day or a 90-day e-visa and your start date.

Single entry or multiple entry?

Validity and entries are different things. Validity is how long the visa lasts; entries are how many times you can come in during that time.

For instance, if you fly into Hanoi, take a bus to Laos and then return to Vietnam, you need multiple entry. A single-entry visa ends as soon as you leave, even if days are left on it. Compare all prices in our Vietnam visa cost guide.

Vietnam visa validity for visa on arrival and visa exemption

With visa on arrival, the approval letter lists your entry date. Visa on arrival now gives 15 days, single entry, for tourism, and you may arrive on the entry date or later, never before. If your letter names an airport, you can land at any international airport.

With a visa exemption, there is no start date. Instead, your stay is counted from the day you enter. For example, a German citizen arriving on 1 June can stay up to 45 days. Some countries also have a yearly cap: Belarus gives 30 days per visit and no more than 90 days in total per year, and Kazakhstan gives 30 days per visit and no more than 90 days in any 180 days. Check your country in our list of countries exempted from Vietnam visa.

What if your plans change after you get the visa?

• You arrive later than planned: no action needed, as long as you still leave before the end date.
• You need to arrive earlier: the visa will not work before its start date, so you need a new visa with new dates.
• You want to stay longer: a tourist e-visa generally cannot be extended inside Vietnam. Plan the full stay, up to 90 days, at the start.
• You found a mistake in the dates: an issued e-visa cannot be corrected. Apply for a new e-visa with the right dates before you travel.
• You renewed your passport: the e-visa is linked to the old passport number, so you need a new e-visa for the new passport.

Overstaying your Vietnam visa

Staying past the end date is an administrative violation. As a result, you pay a fine at the airport or at an immigration office before you can leave, and the amount grows with the length of the overstay. Serious cases can also lead to deportation and entry bans.

These are the fines under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, in force since 15 December 2025. If you see that you will overstay, contact the immigration office or a licensed service before the visa ends.

Worked example: a two-country trip

Leo, an Australian, lands in Ho Chi Minh City on 3 November, crosses into Cambodia on 15 November and comes back to Vietnam on 22 November. He flies home on 8 December. Because he enters Vietnam twice, he chooses a multiple-entry e-visa from 2 November to 11 December. That window covers both entries, it gives three spare days at the end, and it stays well under 90 days.

FAQ: Vietnam visa validity

Do I need to give the exact date of arrival?

No. You give a start date, and you can arrive on that day or later. Just never arrive before it.

Does Vietnam visa validity start on the day I land?

No. It starts on the “valid from” date printed on the visa, whatever day you actually arrive.

Is the 90-day e-visa counted in calendar days?

Yes. Count every day, including weekends, from the start date to the end date.

Can I enter on the last day of validity?

Technically yes, but you would have to leave the same day. In practice, enter well before the end date.

Where do I check my dates?

On the e-visa PDF you download from evisa.gov.vn. Our full Vietnam e-visa guide explains the rest of the document.

Sources: Vietnam National E-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.vn); Vietnam Immigration Department; Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP and 229/NQ-CP on visa exemption. Decree 282/2025/ND-CP on administrative penalties (overstay fines). Last reviewed: 11 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.

A Vietnam visa photo must be a recent colour portrait, 4×6 cm, on a plain white background. You look straight at the camera with your eyes open and your mouth closed, and you wear no glasses and no hat. For the e-visa, you upload this photo as a JPG file together with a separate image of your passport data page. For visa on arrival, by contrast, you bring printed photos to the airport.

Photo problems are one of the most common reasons why an e-visa is delayed or refused. So this guide shows the exact rules, a do-and-don’t chart, a simple way to take the photo at home, and what to do if Immigration asks for a new one.

Vietnam visa photo requirements at a glance

The rules are almost the same for every type of visa. However, the format changes: the e-visa needs a digital file, while visa on arrival and embassy visas need prints. The table below compares them.

In short, if you prepare one good digital portrait, you can use it for the e-visa and also print it for visa on arrival.

Correct vs incorrect Vietnam visa photo

The e-visa system checks your portrait against the photo in your passport. As a result, anything that makes your face harder to compare can slow the application down.

• Glasses: take them off, even if your passport photo shows them.
• Busy background: a coloured wall, a door or furniture behind you can lead to a request for a new photo.
• Cropped passport photo: cutting your face out of the data page gives a tiny, blurry picture. Instead, take a new portrait.
• Hats, sunglasses and filters: remove them, and do not use beauty apps or edits.
• Too far away: your head and the top of your shoulders should fill most of the frame.

If you cover your head for religious reasons, keep your whole face clearly visible from chin to forehead, and look the same as in your passport.

The second upload: your passport data page

Many travelers focus on the portrait and forget the passport image. Yet the e-visa form asks for both, and the passport page is checked just as carefully.

• Show the whole page, with all four corners inside the picture.
• Make sure the two lines of letters and numbers at the bottom (the machine-readable zone, or MRZ) are sharp and complete.
• Avoid flash. Light from a window at an angle stops glare on the plastic cover.
• Use the original passport, not a photocopy or a picture of a screen.

How to take a Vietnam visa photo at home

You do not need a studio. In fact, a phone and a white wall are enough if you follow these steps.

1. Find the light. Stand facing a window during the day, about 50 cm in front of a white wall. This way, the wall stays bright and your face has no harsh shadows.
2. Ask someone to hold the phone. The phone should be at eye level, about 1.5 m away. Then use a little zoom (around 2×) so your face is not stretched.
3. Frame head and shoulders. Keep your face in the centre, with a small space above your head.
4. Crop to 2:3. For example, crop to 800×1200 pixels or any larger size with the same shape.
5. Save as JPG and check the size. Finally, make sure the file is under 2 MB. Most phone photos at normal quality are well below that once cropped.

Worked example: Anna takes a 3024×4032 photo on her phone. She crops a 1600×2400 area around her head and shoulders, which is exactly 2:3. Then she exports it as a JPG at 80% quality. The result is about 600 KB, so it is ready to upload.

Vietnam visa photo checklist before you upload

Most photo problems are easy to catch before you pay. So check each traveler’s files against this list.

1. Shape: a 4×6 cm portrait, or a 2:3 digital crop.
2. Background: plain white, with no shadows or patterns.
3. Face: straight at the camera, eyes open, mouth closed.
4. Glasses and hat: none. A religious head covering is fine if your whole face is visible.
5. File: JPG, under 2 MB.
6. Two different images: a new portrait, plus a separate image of the passport page. Never upload the same picture twice.
7. Passport page: all four corners and both MRZ lines readable, with no glare.
8. Name check: the name on the form matches the passport exactly, in the same order.

If the portal warns you about a file, or says your portrait and passport photo do not match well, do not ignore it. Instead, retake the portrait in daylight, facing the camera, and scan the passport page again without flash.

Vietnam visa photo for visa on arrival and embassy visas

If you use visa on arrival, you will hand in printed photos at the airport counter along with your approval letter and the NA1 form. Therefore, print two 4×6 cm photos before you fly, glue one on the form and pack a spare. Some airports have photo services, but they are not always open, and they add time to an already slow queue. Our guide to the NA1 form and airport documents explains the full counter process.

Embassy visas follow similar rules. Still, each embassy can ask for its own photo format, so check the embassy’s own instructions before you print.

Photos for children and babies

Every traveler needs their own visa, so every child needs their own Vietnam visa photo. For babies, lay them on a white sheet and take the picture from above. Also, keep hands, toys and dummies out of the frame. A baby’s eyes should ideally be open, but a clear, well-lit face is the main goal.

What happens if your photo is not accepted?

Sometimes Immigration asks you to provide a new image instead of refusing the application. In that case, the request appears when you check your status with your registration code on the official portal. Upload a corrected file quickly, because the application waits until you respond.

If the e-visa is refused, however, you must apply again and pay the government fee again, because the fee is not refunded. That is why it pays to check the photo before you submit. If you prefer a second pair of eyes, our application service reviews your photo and passport page before submission. You can also apply directly yourself on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn.

For timing, see how long a Vietnam visa takes, and for fees, see our Vietnam visa cost guide.

FAQ: Vietnam visa photo

Can I use my passport photo for the Vietnam visa photo?

Only if you have the original digital file and it meets the rules above. Do not crop the picture from your passport page, because it will be too small and blurry.

Can I smile in my Vietnam visa photo?

Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. A slight natural look is fine, but avoid a wide smile.

Do I need to print photos for the e-visa?

No. For the Vietnam e-visa, you only upload files. You print the approved e-visa itself, not your photo.

Does the photo have to be exactly 4×6 cm?

For a digital file, what matters is the 2:3 shape and a clear face. For printed photos, print them at 4×6 cm.

What file size is accepted?

Keep the JPG under 2 MB. The upload form currently states this limit, although another page on the portal mentions a larger one. Staying under 2 MB works in both cases.

Sources: Vietnam National E-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.vn) instructions and upload form; Vietnam Immigration Department visa procedures. Last reviewed: 11 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.

The official Vietnam visa processing time for an e-visa is 3 working days after you submit the form and pay the fee. Weekends and Vietnamese public holidays do not count. In practice, most travelers receive their e-visa in 3 to 5 working days, and waits can be longer around Tet (Lunar New Year) and in peak months. So the safe plan is simple: apply 2 to 3 weeks before your flight.

This guide explains how the working days are counted, what slows an application down, the holiday periods to avoid, and what you can do if your trip is close.

Vietnam visa processing time by visa type

Different routes take different amounts of time. The table below compares them, so you can pick the one that fits your dates.

First, check whether you need a visa at all in our list of countries exempted from Vietnam visa. If you do, the 90-day e-visa is the standard choice.

Vietnam visa processing time by speed: our options and cut-off times

If you apply through our service, you choose a speed on the application form. The table shows the speeds, the extra fees and the latest order time for each one, in Vietnam time. These are the options for most passports, checked on 11 November 2026. Some passports have different fees, and the form always shows yours before you pay.

Vietnam is on UTC+7 all year. So, 09:00 in Hanoi is 02:00 in London in winter, 21:00 the evening before in New York in winter, and 13:00 in Sydney in summer. If you order after a cut-off, the form shows a later estimated result time. However, Immigration makes the final decision, so every result time is an estimate, not a promise.

How the 3 working days are counted

The clock starts only when your application is complete and the fee is paid. After that, only working days in Vietnam count. For example, if you pay on a Friday, Day 1 is the following Monday.

Remember that Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT (UTC+7). As a result, a form sent on Friday evening in Europe or America arrives after the office day in Vietnam has ended.

When to apply for a Vietnam visa

Because the Vietnam visa processing time depends on working days and holidays, plan backwards from your flight date.

1. 3–4 weeks before travel: check your visa needs and book your first hotel. You need an address in Vietnam for the form.
2. 2–3 weeks before travel: apply. You choose the start date of the visa yourself, so applying early does not waste any validity.
3. During processing: keep your registration code. You need it, with your email and date of birth, to check the status.
4. About 1 week before travel: download and print the e-visa. Then check every letter and number against your passport.
5. Within 72 hours of landing: submit the free Digital Arrival Card if your airport uses it.

Holidays that slow down the Vietnam visa processing time

Immigration offices close on public holidays, so applications wait. The longest break is Tet. For example, e-visa applications were not processed from 14 to 22 February 2026. For Tet 2027, government offices close from Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (notice 11483/TB-BNV of 9 October 2026). So apply in January for a February trip.

• New Year’s Day: 1 January.
• Tet (Lunar New Year): about a week, usually in late January or February.
• Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day: the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month (March or April).
• Reunification Day and Labour Day: 30 April and 1 May.
• National Day: 2 September, plus one extra day.

In addition, demand rises from December to March and in July and August. Therefore, add a few extra days if you travel then.

What makes an application take longer

• Photo problems: a portrait with glasses or a busy background often leads to a request for a new image. Read our Vietnam visa photo guide before you upload.
• Typing mistakes: a wrong passport number or name order can lead to refusal, and then the clock starts again.
• Missing address: leave no empty fields for your stay in Vietnam.
• Extra checks: some applications are reviewed by hand, which adds time.

What to do if your trip is very close

First, check whether you are visa-exempt; if so, you need nothing. Next, if you fly into an airport and time is short, our form offers the e-visa in 1 working day or 4 working hours for an extra fee. A visa approval letter for visa on arrival is also available in 1 working day or 4 working hours, but it gives only 15 days, single entry, for tourism. However, no private company can promise the government’s decision, so be careful with any website that guarantees approval.

If your e-visa still shows “processing” a few days before your flight, contact the service you used, or our team through the application page, and keep your registration code ready.

Worked example: planning a Christmas trip

Sam flies from London to Ho Chi Minh City on 20 December and stays 30 days. A UK passport is visa-free for 45 days, so Sam needs no visa. However, his friend Maya holds a US passport. She applies for the e-visa on Monday 30 November. Three working days later, on Thursday 3 December, her e-visa is usually ready. Even if it takes 5 working days, it is ready by Monday 7 December. That still leaves almost two weeks of margin before the flight.

FAQ: Vietnam visa processing time

Can I get a Vietnam e-visa in 24 hours?

The official time is 3 working days. Through our service, you can choose the 1-working-day speed (+US$100) or the 4-working-hour speed (+US$130) for most passports. Still, results depend on Immigration, so nobody can promise a set time.

Does the Vietnam visa processing time include weekends?

No. Only working days in Vietnam count.

How early can I apply?

You can apply well before travel, because you pick the start date. Two to three weeks ahead is a good balance.

Can I check my status?

Yes. Use the search page on evisa.gov.vn with your registration code, email and date of birth.

Does processing cost extra?

The government fee is US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry. See our Vietnam visa cost guide for every route.

Sources: Vietnam National E-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.vn) instructions; Vietnam Immigration Department notice on Tet 2026 processing; Vietnam public holiday calendar; our application form (speeds and cut-off times checked 11 November 2026); Ministry of Home Affairs notice 11483/TB-BNV on the Tet 2027 holiday. Last reviewed: 11 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.