You might need to secure a visa before entering Vietnam depending on your citizenship. As of August 2023, citizens from select Western European nations, alongside Japan and South Korea, enjoy the benefit of visa-exempt entry into Vietnam for up to 45 days.
For the most current and reliable information, consult the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Department or your country's Vietnamese embassy. These sources routinely update their visa guidelines and provide trustworthy details.
List of countries with visa-free entry
Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom.
Option A - E-Visa
The most convenient option, and the one that works for anyone from these countries, is to apply here: evisa
This is the newly added alternative to option B below, or obtaining a full visa stamp from the Vietnamese Embassy in your own or another country.
You print off the visa which is emailed to you and put it in your passport. After landing, go straight to the immigration queue (not the queue for visa upon arrival).
We suggest bringing a copy and a screenshot of the email on your phone for the immigration officers in case you misplace the one in your passport.
Total Cost: $25 USD
Important Visa Application Information
You will be asked to provide the address of your first hotel in Vietnam on the visa application form. Please check your confirmation doc for the name and address of the hotel.
Airport in Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport
Airport in Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Option B - Visa On Arrival
The second option is to apply for the Visa Invitation Letter. This was Option A before the introduction of the evisa.
You apply for the letter through the website (turn around is usually 2-4 working days) and wait for the confirmation email. Then print off the letter and present it when you fly into Vietnam. You can pick up your Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport in the appropriate queue.
Please note for this option there are two queues when you arrive at the airport: the first to pick up your visa and then second is the immigration queue.
It’s best to bring the exact fee amount (see below) in $USD but often they can break large bills. They will accept other currencies in some cases but at extremely high exchange rates.
There are a variety of websites that will provide you this Visa Invitation letter such as: www.myvietnamvisa.com. This is the service our staff used until the introduction of the e-visa.
Visa Approval Letter (2-4 days processing): $18 USD
Visa Stamping Fee: $25 USD
Total Cost: $43 USD
Option C - Visit A Vietnam Consulate
If you’re not from one of the countries listed above, then you’ll need to apply for a visa at a Vietnam Consulate before arrival.
Submit an application form along with your passport, passport photos and the fee. Please allow at least two weeks processing time for this visa.
Total Cost: $60 USD
If you have any questions about getting a Vietnam visa or anything about our Vietnam tour, please do get in touch!
