Vietnam Tourist Visa Guide 2026: Latest Requirements, Fees and Application Process
Vietnam remains one of Asia’s most popular destinations for international travelers. From the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay and the ancient streets of Hoi An to the beaches of Da Nang and the vibrant energy of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the country offers a wide range of travel experiences.
Before booking a flight, however, foreign visitors should check whether they need a visa, which visa type is suitable for their itinerary and how long the application may take.
This updated Vietnam tourist visa guide explains how to apply for a Vietnam visa in 2026, including the latest eVisa regulations, required documents, government fees, processing times, common rejection reasons and solutions for urgent travel situations.
What Is a Vietnam Tourist Visa?
A Vietnam tourist visa allows a foreign traveler to enter Vietnam for tourism-related purposes, such as:
- Holidays and sightseeing
- Visiting friends or relatives
- Joining a tour
- Attending short recreational activities
- Traveling between multiple destinations in Vietnam
For many international visitors, the Vietnam electronic visa, commonly called the Vietnam eVisa, is the most convenient application method.
The eVisa application is completed online. Applicants submit their personal information, passport image and portrait photograph electronically, pay the required government fee and receive the result online.
According to the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal, an eVisa may be valid for up to 90 days and may permit either a single entry or multiple entries.
Who Can Apply for a Vietnam eVisa in 2026?
Vietnam’s electronic visa system is available to foreign passport holders who meet the applicable immigration conditions.
An applicant must generally:
- Be outside Vietnam when submitting the application
- Hold a valid passport
- Not fall within a category subject to suspension from entering Vietnam
- Provide accurate and complete application information
- Use an entry checkpoint that accepts electronic visas
The official portal states that the eVisa is intended for foreigners who are currently outside Vietnam and wish to enter the country.
Visa requirements can depend on nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and planned length of stay. Travelers should check the current exemption policy and eVisa eligibility before applying.
Official Vietnam eVisa Website
The official application websites operated by the Vietnam Immigration Department are:
- evisa.gov.vn
- thithucdientu.gov.vn
The Immigration Department announced that these domains became the official Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal addresses on November 11, 2024. Travelers should carefully check the domain before submitting personal information or making payment.
Commercial visa service websites are not government websites. A private service may assist with reviewing documents, correcting application information or handling urgent cases, but applicants should understand what services are included and whether the quoted price contains both the government fee and a separate service fee.
Documents Required for a Vietnam Tourist eVisa
The basic application process usually requires the following information and digital files.
1. Valid passport
Your passport should remain valid for your intended trip. Many airlines and travel providers recommend having at least six months of passport validity remaining from the expected arrival date.
The personal information entered in the visa form must match the passport data page exactly.
2. Passport data-page image
Applicants must upload a clear image of the passport page containing:
- Full name
- Photograph
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Issue and expiry dates
- Machine-readable lines
The image should display the entire page without cropped corners, glare, shadows or blurred text.
3. Recent portrait photograph
The official application process requires a straight-facing portrait photo without glasses. The image should clearly show the applicant’s face and should not contain another person.
A poor-quality photograph, incorrect background, covered face or image that does not resemble the passport holder may delay the application.
4. Travel information
Applicants may need to provide:
- Intended arrival date
- Intended departure date
- Entry checkpoint
- Exit checkpoint
- Address in Vietnam
- Purpose of entry
- Contact information
The requested visa period should match the planned itinerary. The visa validity period does not automatically begin on the day the application is approved.
5. Payment method
An online payment method is required to pay the government eVisa fee.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Tourist Visa Online
Step 1: Open the official eVisa portal
Use the official Vietnam Immigration Department eVisa website. Avoid clicking unverified advertisements that imitate a government application page.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Enter all personal and passport information carefully. Pay particular attention to:
- Full name and name order
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Passport expiry date
- Visa validity dates
- Single-entry or multiple-entry selection
- Intended border checkpoint
Do not rely entirely on automatic passport-reading technology. Review every field manually before submission.
Step 3: Upload the required images
Upload the passport data page and portrait photograph in the requested format. Confirm that both images are clear and correspond to the same applicant.
Step 4: Save the registration code
After completing the application, applicants receive a registration code. Keep a screenshot or written copy of this code because it may be required to check the application, edit requested information or download the approved visa.
Step 5: Pay the government fee
The official government fee is currently:
- USD 25 for a single-entry eVisa
- USD 50 for a multiple-entry eVisa
The official portal states that the application fee is non-refundable when an application is refused.
Step 6: Check the application status
Applicants can check the status online using their registration code, email address, date of birth and verification code.
The official status page may show the application result, a request for correction, payment information or a refusal reason.
Step 7: Download and check the approved eVisa
After approval, download the eVisa and carefully verify:
- Full name
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Valid-from date
- Valid-until date
- Number of entries
- Approved entry conditions
Travelers should carry a printed copy and keep a digital copy on their phone.
Vietnam eVisa Processing Time in 2026
The official application instructions state that an eVisa application is normally processed within three working days.
However, three working days should not be treated as a guaranteed approval deadline. Processing may take longer due to:
- Weekends and Vietnamese public holidays
- Incomplete information
- Incorrect passport details
- Poor-quality uploaded images
- Requests for amendment
- Payment problems
- High application volume
- Additional immigration review
Travelers should apply well before their flight rather than waiting until the final few days.
Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry Vietnam eVisa
A single-entry visa allows one entry into Vietnam. Once the traveler leaves, the visa normally cannot be used again, even if the expiry date has not passed.
A multiple-entry visa may be more suitable for travelers who plan to:
- Visit Cambodia, Laos or Thailand during the trip
- Leave Vietnam and return on a cruise
- Attend meetings in several Asian countries
- Re-enter Vietnam before flying home
Applicants should select the correct option before payment. Choosing a single-entry visa by mistake can disrupt an itinerary involving regional travel.
Why Is a Vietnam eVisa Rejected or Returned for Correction?
Common problems include:
Incorrect passport number
Letters and numbers can easily be confused. Common mistakes include entering “O” instead of “0” or omitting a letter at the beginning of the passport number.
Name does not match the passport
The name must correspond to the passport data page. Missing middle names, reversed name order or additional punctuation may create inconsistencies.
Blurred or cropped passport image
A passport image may be rejected when details or machine-readable lines are missing, reflective or unreadable.
Unsuitable portrait photo
Glasses, hats, shadows, an unclear face, an old photograph or an image containing other people can cause problems.
Wrong entry checkpoint
The selected entry point must be compatible with the traveler’s actual route and eVisa conditions.
Incorrect travel dates
Applying for the wrong arrival date or requesting a period outside the passport’s validity can result in delays or refusal.
Inconsistent information
Differences between the passport, application form and travel details can lead to a correction request.
Payment failure
The application may not enter processing successfully when online payment is incomplete, duplicated or interrupted.
Incomplete or inconsistent information is widely identified as one of the main avoidable causes of visa application problems.
What Should You Do If Your Vietnam Visa Is Rejected?
First, check the application status and read the stated reason carefully.
Depending on the result, the applicant may need to:
- Correct the existing application through the official portal.
- Upload a clearer passport or portrait image.
- Correct the passport number, name or address.
- Submit a new application.
- Contact the official Immigration Department support channel.
- Seek professional application support when the departure date is approaching.
Do not repeatedly submit identical applications without correcting the original problem. Multiple inconsistent applications may make the situation more difficult.
The official support page lists Immigration Department contact details and hotlines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Urgent and Last-Minute Vietnam Visa Applications
Travelers frequently search for terms such as:
- Vietnam visa in 24 hours
- Same-day Vietnam visa
- Urgent Vietnam eVisa
- Vietnam visa before flight
- Super-urgent Vietnam visa
- Vietnam visa application still processing
An urgent service may help review documents, identify errors and provide support for time-sensitive cases. However, no private company can guarantee government approval.
Before using an agency, travelers should verify:
- The company’s legal identity and contact details
- What the service fee includes
- Whether the government fee is included
- The estimated processing window
- Refund and cancellation conditions
- Whether support is provided if corrections are requested
- Whether the agency clearly distinguishes itself from the official government portal
Be cautious with anonymous social-media accounts that request passport images or payment through personal accounts.
Vietnam Entry Checklist
Before boarding your flight, confirm that:
- Your passport information matches the visa
- The visa is valid on your arrival date
- You are entering through an approved checkpoint
- You have selected the correct number of entries
- Your passport remains valid
- You have printed or saved the eVisa
- Your accommodation and onward-travel details are available
- You comply with airline transit requirements
Final entry permission is determined by Vietnamese immigration authorities at the border. A visa does not exempt a traveler from normal immigration, customs or security checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Vietnam eVisa?
Complete the application through the official Vietnam eVisa portal, upload a passport data-page image and portrait photo, pay the fee and check the result using your registration code.
How much does a Vietnam tourist eVisa cost?
The official fee is USD 25 for a single-entry eVisa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry eVisa. Government fees are generally non-refundable if the application is refused.
How long does Vietnam eVisa processing take?
The official processing period is normally three working days, but delays may occur. Applying at least one or two weeks before departure provides a safer margin.
Can I get a Vietnam visa on the same day?
Urgent support may be available in certain circumstances, but approval depends on the immigration authorities. Travelers should not assume that same-day processing is guaranteed.
What happens if I enter the wrong passport number?
Check whether the application can be corrected through the status portal. When correction is not available, a new application may be necessary.
Can I change my arrival date after approval?
An approved eVisa normally cannot simply be rewritten by the traveler. When the required date falls outside the approved validity period, a new application may be required.
Can I enter Vietnam after the visa’s valid-from date?
Generally, a traveler may enter on or after the valid-from date, provided the entry takes place before the visa expires and all other conditions are met.
Can I enter Vietnam before the valid-from date?
No. Travelers should not plan to arrive before the visa becomes valid.
Why have I not received an approval email?
Check the spam folder and use the official status-search function. Applicants should not rely solely on email notifications.
What should I do if my payment fails?
Confirm that the payment was not completed before trying again. Use the official application-status page to check whether payment is pending or whether another payment attempt is required.
Do I need a multiple-entry visa?
You need a multiple-entry visa when you plan to leave Vietnam and return during the same visa period. A single-entry visa is usually sufficient when you remain in Vietnam until your final departure.
Is a visa agency required?
No. Eligible travelers may apply personally through the official portal. An agency is optional and may be useful for document review, correction support or urgent cases.
Final Advice
Applying for a Vietnam tourist visa in 2026 is generally straightforward when the application is submitted accurately and early.
The most important steps are to use the official website, upload clear documents, copy passport information exactly, select the correct travel dates and entry checkpoint, and check the approved eVisa before flying.
Travelers facing an urgent departure, a rejected application, an incorrect passport number or a delayed result should address the specific problem rather than submitting repeated applications without reviewing the cause.
Because immigration regulations and entry procedures may change, always verify the latest information through the Vietnam Immigration Department before making final travel arrangements.
Contact for Urgent Visa Support
- Hotline / WhatsApp / Zalo: +84986979330
- Email: support@vietnamevisaservice.vn
Note: vietnamevisaservice.vn is a commercial/personal website, NOT an official government website. We operate as a private agent and charge a fee for application services. If you do not require our simplified forms and visa application support, you can apply directly on the official government website.