Vietnam has become one of the most searched Southeast Asian destinations in recent travel-trend data, and international media regularly rank it among Asia’s top summer getaways, most attractive cities and most impressive UNESCO heritage sites. It is quickly becoming one of the region’s most popular destinations, and more businesses have been investing there in recent years.
For travelers from countries whose passport holders are not on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list — including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan — a visa is still required to enter Vietnam, and it is often the most daunting part of the trip because the paperwork can feel complicated. This guide sets out the visa fees, application windows and required documents for each of the three application routes, so you can prepare with confidence.
Applying for a Vietnam Visa
Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are not on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list, so travelers holding these passports still need a visa to visit Vietnam. There are currently three ways to apply for a Vietnam visa: the e-Visa, the visa on arrival, and the traditional visa issued through an embassy or consulate.
Vietnam e-Visa Application
Holders of a valid passport (Hong Kong or Macau SAR passport, mainland Chinese passport, Taiwan passport, etc.) can apply directly on the Vietnam Immigration Department’s official website for an electronic visa (e-Visa).
- The Vietnam e-Visa is valid for 90 days.
- The e-Visa comes in two types: (1) single entry and (2) multiple entry, priced at USD 25 and USD 50 respectively.
Required documents:
- One passport photo, white background, 4×6 cm, JPG format, without glasses
- A passport valid for at least 6 months (with at least 2 blank pages)
- One JPG scan of the passport’s biodata page
- A temporary address in Vietnam and the intended port of entry/exit
- Payment of the e-Visa fee by credit card (USD 25 for single entry; USD 50 for multiple entry)
E-Visa application steps:
Go to the Vietnam Immigration Department’s website, to the page for individual e-Visa applications.
- Step 1: Fill in the required information and upload the passport biodata page image and photo (4×6 cm, white background, facing forward without glasses). Once submitted, a Registration Code is sent to the email address you provided.
- Step 2: Pay the e-Visa fee online (USD 25 for single entry; USD 50 for multiple entry). The application is processed within 3 business days.
- Step 3: Enter the registration code, the email address you provided and your date of birth in the e-Visa lookup tool to check the result. If the e-Visa is approved, download and print it before entering or leaving Vietnam. If any information is missing, incorrect or unreadable, the application will not be accepted.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival
Besides the e-Visa, you can also apply through a travel platform or travel agency acting as an intermediary for a visa on arrival. This involves first applying online for a Visa Approval Letter, then submitting your details to the agency or travel platform (service fees vary by agency, typically USD 6–20). After submitting your personal information and paying the fee, you will receive the approval result within 2 business days.
If you need to obtain a visa and travel to Vietnam within 3 business days, you will need the visa on arrival; if you are not in a hurry, an e-Visa is sufficient.
On arrival at any Vietnamese international airport, applicants need to go to the Visa Landing Office counter and present: the visa application form, proof of approval, passport (valid for 6 months with 2 blank pages), 2 photos, and the USD 25 landing-visa fee to receive the visa.
If you need help arranging a Vietnam visa on arrival, ask Zagdim.
Traditional Vietnam Visa (Embassy or Consulate)
You can apply for a Vietnam visa (traditional visa) directly through the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country. Applicants need to prepare their original passport, a visa application form, a passport photo and other documents; processing typically takes about 5–7 business days. Regular tourist visa prices vary by consulate and fluctuate with the exchange rate; applicants can check the Vietnam visa service center for current rates, which generally hover around USD 50. Expedited processing requires an additional fee — roughly USD 14 for one-day expedited service and roughly USD 28 for two-day expedited service.
Required documents:
- One personal passport photo (white background, 3×4 cm, JPG format)
- Passport (valid for 6 months with 2 blank pages)
- Visa fee
- A self-addressed envelope
- Vietnam visa application form (this form can be downloaded and filled in online, then registered; if it cannot be downloaded, it can also be obtained directly, and filled in, at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country)
Where to apply: Vietnamese embassies and consulates in each location.
Vietnam Visa: Points to Note
- Vietnam visas can be expedited, at a somewhat higher fee than the normal fee. Although expedited visas are processed faster, expediting does not guarantee approval — if an applicant’s documents are incomplete or do not meet requirements, there is still a risk of refusal.
- Do not book flights before receiving your visa, since embassy processing times are not always predictable, and booking too early risks a financial loss if the visa is delayed.
- If you plan to apply for a Vietnam visa, it is prudent to apply about a month in advance, since embassy processing can sometimes be slower than expected.
- Once you receive your visa, pay close attention to the information on the visa page, especially the visa’s validity period and the permitted length of stay. A Vietnam visa’s validity period and permitted stay period run concurrently and overlap — for example, if the visa is valid from January 1 to January 30 and you enter Vietnam on January 28, you must still leave by January 30. This point requires particular attention.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash when entering or leaving Vietnam. If you carry more than USD 5,000 (or an equivalent amount in another foreign currency), or more than VND 15,000,000, you must declare it to customs at the port of entry/exit. Never carry prohibited items.
Applications for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mainland China Passport Holders
The application process and required documents for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and mainland China residents applying for a Vietnam visa are the same; only the passport type differs: Hong Kong residents apply using a Hong Kong passport or a BNO passport; Macau and Taiwan residents apply using their local passport; and mainland China residents apply using a mainland Chinese passport.
Vietnam Visa FAQ
1. How long does it take to get a Vietnam visa?
Processing time depends on the channel: an e-Visa typically takes about 3 business days; a traditional visa via embassy or consulate typically takes about 5-7 business days. Expedited service, where offered, can be faster.
2. Do Hong Kong residents need to arrange a visa before traveling to Vietnam?
Yes, in general — Vietnam does not currently offer blanket visa exemption to Hong Kong passport holders, so a visa must be arranged in advance. The one narrow exception: Hong Kong passport holders flying directly into Phu Quoc Island from outside Vietnam (not transiting through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi) can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.
3. What does a Vietnam visa cost?
The e-Visa costs USD 25 for a single entry or USD 50 for multiple entries, depending on the number of entries. For a visa on arrival, you first pay an agency service fee of USD 6–20, then pay the USD 25 visa fee in person at the landing-visa counter on arrival. Applying at an embassy or consulate costs around USD 50, with prices varying by location, plus an additional fee for expedited processing.
4. How do I apply for a Vietnam visa online?
Apply on the official website and follow the steps and prompts described above to submit your information.
5. Where is the Vietnamese consulate in Hong Kong?
- Consulate General of the S.R. of Vietnam in Hong Kong
- Address: 15/F., Great Smart Tower, 230 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Tel: +852 2835 9318 / 2591 4510
- Fax: +852-2591-4524
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: 09:30–13:00 and 14:30–17:30
If you have questions, or need help arranging a Vietnam visa on arrival, ask Zagdim.
Have a question about this guide? Leave a comment below, or ask Zagdim directly.
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