How to Enter Vietnam ? Quick Answers
- Do I need special permission to enter Vietnam? No, citizens of most countries do not need special permission to enter Vietnam. Countries eligible for eVisa can be found here and Visa exempt here.
- Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam? Citizens from 25 countries can enter Vietnam via the visa exemption scheme for a period ranging from 15-90 days. A single-entry eVisa (official website here) is available online for most foreign citizens for a period of 90 days. This number increased from 30 days on 15th of August 2023
- Do I need proof of onward travel? You could be asked to show proof of onward travel when you enter Vietnam, especially if you are entering on a visa exemption. If you have an eVisa, it’s unlikely you will be asked, however, there is always a chance.
- Do I need proof of COVID-19 vaccination? No, Vietnam no longer requires foreign travellers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to enter the country. Entry requirements are the same regardless of vaccination status.
- Do I need travel insurance? No, but visitors may want travel insurance to cover unexpected in-country medical treatment costs. See popular insurers here.
Vietnam Visa Summary
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The previous Visa On Arrival (VOA) has not been available since early 2022, however, visa exemption is available for citizens from some countries (see Visa Exemption). If you want to stay longer than the time allocated to you under the visa exemption, you’ll need to apply for an E-Visa or book a tour requesting a visa pre-approval letter through a Vietnamese travel agent.
If you require a visa to enter the country, you must apply online for the E-Visa prior to arrival. The E-Visa must be approved before you fly to Vietnam.
The E-Visa is valid for 90 days and is a multiple-entry visa.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) is currently only available for those entering Vietnam on pre-organised tour groups, foreign crew members onboard vessels anchoring in Vietnam, those attending a Vietnamese relative’s funeral or returning to visit a seriously ill family member, and those entering Vietnam for emergency purposes at the request of local authorities.
Vietnam: COVID-19 Requirements
COVID-19 Vaccination Status
- Vaccinated travellers: Vaccinated travellers can enter Vietnam. No proof of vaccination is required.
- Non-vaccinated travellers: Non-vaccinated travellers can enter Vietnam too.
Entry Requirements & Documents
- A passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page.
- A valid visa
Travel Insurance Requirements
- Insurance is not a requirement for foreigners to enter Vietnam. However, visitors may want to hold a policy in case of emergencies.
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Vietnam: Visa Exemption
Since January 2022, 25 countries have been eligible for the visa exemption. The maximum time permitted for the visa exemption varies from 15-90 days, depending on your passport. The list of countries that can enter Vietnam on the visa exemption scheme are:
90 Days
- Chile
- Panama
45 Days (since 15th August 2023)
- Belarus
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Norway
- Russia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom (not applicable for British National Overseas BNO)
30 Days
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Thailand
21 Days
- The Philippines
14 Days
- Brunei
Vietnam: Type of Visas
eVisa (since 15th August 2023): 30 to 90 Days. Single and Multiple-Entry
- What is an eVisa? A single-entry or multi-entry visa that is valid for a maximum of 90 days. Once the Vietnamese immigration department has received the application and fee, the visa is typically processed within three working days. (Account for delays, which occur frequently!)
- How to apply: The current processing time is three to five business days. Find the online form on the official eVisa website here. To check your status and print your approved eVisa, visit this website. Eighty countries are eligible for the eVisa. A complete list can be viewed here.
- Cost: The price is yet to be determined – will be announced on 15th August 2023!
- What do you need to apply? A current passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page.
Make sure you use the official website for your Vietnamese eVisa
When you complete the online form for the E-Visa, you will be asked for:
- Purpose of entry.
- Place of visa submission (Place of entry).
- Place of visa collection (Place of departure).
- Proof of insurance.
- Estimated travel expenses.
- Previous violations incl. overstay (Be honest!).
You will need to submit a photo that meets the following conditions:
- Taken within the last year.
- 4x6cm in size, straight face, no hat, and no dark or tinted glass.
- Both ears must be shown.
- Photo must be clear for identification.
- Must not be edited.
- The photo can be in colour or black and white.
- The background must be white/bright.
- Photos on a dark and or decorated background will not be accepted.
Visa Processing Time:
Tourist Visa: 30 Days, Up to 90 Days (Single & Multi-Entry)
- What is a Tourist Visa? A single-entry or multi-entry visa that is valid for a maximum of 90 days. Once the Vietnamese immigration department has received the application and the fee, the visa is typically processed within three working days. (Account for delays, which occur frequently!)
- How to apply: You must complete an online form and select an embassy/consulate from the list provided, where you need to collect the approved Visa from. The registration process involves the issuance of a barcode, which needs to be sent to the consulate. Register here.
- Cost: The price of the Tourist Visa varies depending on the consulate. Consulate staff will inform you of the cost upon submission of the Visa application.
What do you need to apply?
- A current passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page.
- Unique identification barcode generated through the online form
- Photo
You will need to submit a photo that meets the following conditions:
- Taken within the last year.
- 4x6cm in size, straight face, no hat, and no dark or tinted glass.
- Both ears must be shown.
- Photo must be clear for identification.
- Must not be edited.
- The photo can be in colour or black and white.
- The background must be white/bright.
- Photos on a dark and or decorated background will not be accepted.
Business Visa (DN): 90 Days to 1 Year
- What is a Business Visa? A multi-entry visa that is valid for 90 days up to 12 months and can be issued again upon leaving the country within the duration allowed. This is usually for people, who conduct Sales, attend meetings etc. It does not grant you permission to live and work in Vietnam. If you plan to live and work in Vietnam, you will need to apply for a Working Visa instead, once you are in the country. It usually takes 5-7 business days to review.
- How to apply: You must apply through your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or private companies that offer the Vietnam Visa service. Either online, via post or directly in the office.
- Cost: Depending on whether to apply through the official embassy or private companies including the duration of the stay, the price of the Business Visa is between $90-429USD excluding expediting fees or postage/stamps.
What do you need to apply?
- A current passport with six months validity and a minimum of one blank page.
- Application form (can be found online on the embassy’s website), signed, dated and including a passport photo
- Letter of entry clearance from your sponsor/business partner.
The following details are required on your letter of entry clearance:
- Passport details
- Type of visa
- Proposed date of entry
- Name of the Vietnamese embassy/consulate you wish to collect the visa from
Vietnam: Extending your Visa
It is possible to extend your visa at an immigration office in one of Vietnam’s major cities.
Border Runs from Vietnam
If you’ve nearly been in Vietnam for the maximum allowed stay of 90 days, you may want to do a ‘border run’.
The most common border crossings in Vietnam are:
- Vietnam – Cambodia (Moc Bai Border)
- Vietnam – Laos (Lao Bao Border or Cau Treo Border)
Read more about doing visa runs in Southeast Asia here.
How many times can you re-enter Vietnam via a border run? Currently, there is no law against border runs. You can attempt this process as often as you need so long as you follow the local immigration laws and do not overstay or misuse your visa.
Not all border crossings accept the eVisa, so you will need to check if the border where you plan to enter Vietnam does. You can check the list of ports here.
Vietnam: Overstaying your Visa
Penalties for Overstaying in Vietnam
Overstaying your visa in Vietnam is a very expensive and time-consuming process! There is no official list of fines and penalties, despite what you may have read on the internet. There is a lot of false information out there so be careful! The following penalties can be found online, they are crossed out to symbolise how unreliable they are.
Up to 3 days: $25USDUp to 10 days: $55USD10 – 30 days: $175USD30 – 90 days: $440USD
The reality is that if you overstay your visa in Vietnam, you’ll have to go through the following process…
You’ll need to hand over your passport at the nearest immigration office (either in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City) and wait for the document processing time of five working days. This means that you’ll have to bear the cost of more accommodation, meals, transport etc. until the return of your passport.
Reports suggest that overstaying for just two days comes with an admin fee of $20USD and the actual overstay fee of just under $100USD per person. The immigration officer will make it clear that in order for your passport to be returned, an air ticket exiting Vietnam needs to be booked first.
You are required to pay your overstay fine at a local bank near the Vietnam Department of Immigration in Ha Noi or the Vietnam Department of Immigration in Ho Chi Minh City upon receiving the official invoice.
In Vietnam, overstaying a visa violates social order and safety laws. Severe penalties such as deportation may apply and travellers may be banned (blacklisted) from re-entering the country.
Tips on Making Your Overstay-Payment in Time:
It has been observed that some counters are not busy at all times as many people believe they have time to go for a coffee and miss their slot. Others take advantage of the situation and jump the queue to present their case at the counter, as the public servants do not seem to check the numbers.
Make sure to be at the office at least 2-3 hours before closing time. It is probably best to arrive first thing in the morning.
Louis Wilhelm
Life on Earth has way too many facets and adventures readily available to be wasting time working in an office 50 hours a week! With this mindset, Louis eventually quit his poor work/life balance job and headed off to Southeast Asia. Passionate about languages, wildlife and the beauty of this planet, he has been on the road ever since. Taking notes on his journey to support like-minded people on similar adventures and also capturing amazing memories with his camera, has become the missing piece of the puzzle.
Find him on: Instagram