Quick answer: The Vietnam e-visa guide describes a 90-day electronic travel authorization available to citizens of all countries and territories. The entire application is completed online via the official government portal at evisa.gov.van. It costs $25 USD for single entry and $50 USD for multiple entry, with standard processing taking 3–5 working days. This guide walks you through every step — from preparing your documents to downloading your approved visa.
Planning a trip to Hon Thom Island, Sunset Town, or Grand World? Firstly, getting your e-visa sorted is the first and most important step. Here’s exactly how to use the Vietnam e-visa guide without stress.
📋 What You Need Before You Start
Before you open the application form, gather these four things. Having them ready will save you time and reduce the chance of errors.
- Your passport — must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date into Vietnam. It also needs at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
- A digital passport photo — recent 4×6 cm portrait, white background, no glasses, face centered, JPG/JPEG format. The file size should be under 2 MB.
- A clear scan of your passport bio-page — full page, color, sharp, no glare or shadow. Make sure the ICAO lines at the bottom are completely visible.
- A valid email address — your approved e-visa will be sent here as a PDF.
- A credit or debit card — Visa or Mastercard for payment.
🚨 Beware of Fake Websites
This is the single most important warning in this guide. Many fake visa websites appear above the official portal in search results. They charge inflated fees and sometimes collect your passport data without actually securing a visa. Always check that the URL is exactly https://evisa.gov.vn — not .com, not .net, and not any other variation. The official site ends in .vn.
Step 1: Start Your Application
Go to evisa.gov.van and click ‘Apply Now’ or ‘Register for E-Visa’.
Moreover, the interface is available in both Vietnamese and English — switch to English at the top if needed.
Pro tip: Read the instructions carefully. Additionally, the portal lists all eligible nationalities, entry points, and the photo requirements. Take a screenshot of your application ID — you’ll need it for tracking.
Step 2: Fill in the Form
The form has multiple sections.
Moreover, refer to the Vietnam e-visa guide to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Personal Information:
- Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your passport. This includes middle names — omitting them is the number one reason for rejection.
- Date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format.
- Place of birth and nationality — type these exactly as they appear on your passport.
Passport Details
- Passport number — double-check every character. A single digit off will lead to rejection.
- Date of issue and expiry — check your passport’s validity period. The e-visa cannot exceed your passport’s expiry date.
Entry Information:
- Intended date of arrival — enter the exact day you plan to arrive. The e-visa validity starts from this date.
- Port of entry — you must select the exact airport, border crossing, or seaport where you will first arrive. If you arrive at a different port, you will be denied entry.
- Length of stay — select up to 90 days. Ensure your planned stay does not exceed this.
Contact Details:
- Current address — your home address, not your hotel.
- Email — check this carefully. Your approved visa will be sent here.
- Phone number — include the country code.
📸 Step 3: Upload Your Photo and Passport Scan
This is where most applications get delayed. Additionally, follow these rules in the Vietnam e-visa guide.
Additionally, for the photo.
- 4×6 cm portrait, white background.
- Face must be centered, directly facing the camera, no tilting.
- No glasses, no hats, no head coverings (unless for religious reasons).
- File format: JPG or JPEG, under 2 MB.
- Recent — taken within the last 6 months.
Additionally, for the passport scan, please provide a clear image. This helps with verification.
- Full bio-page, color scan.
- Make sure the MRZ lines (the two rows of numbers and letters at the bottom) are fully visible and legible.
- No glare, no shadows, no cropping.
- File format: PDF or JPG/JPEG, under 2 MB.
💳 Step 4: Pay the Fee
The payment is processed directly.
Additionally, it is completed on the portal.
- Single entry: $25 USD
- Multiple entry: $50 USD
Only Visa or Mastercard is accepted. The system will redirect you to a secure payment page. Double-check every detail before hitting submit. Moreover, once you confirm, fees are non-refundable — even if the application is rejected.
Step 5: Wait for processing
Additionally, standard processing time is 3–5 working days.
You can track your application status on the portal using the Application ID you received at the start. Additionally, the status will change from “Processing” to “Approved” or “Rejected”.
However, processing times vary.
- Applications submitted without errors are often approved within 3 working days.
- During peak seasons (December–February, July–August), processing may take up to 5 working days.
- Urgent processing is available through professional visa services, typically 2–4 hours, but comes with an additional fee.
📥 Step 6: Download and Print Your E-Visa
Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive a PDF document by email and can download it from the portal. The e-visa looks like a formal letter with your photo and details.
Here’s what to do next:
- Print at least 2 copies — one for the airline at check-in and one for the immigration officer.
- Save a digital copy on your phone — a backup in case you lose the printed version.
- Check your name and entry date on the document. Any error must be corrected by reapplying.
🚫 Common Reasons for E-Visa Rejection
However, most rejections result from simple mistakes related to the Vietnam e-visa guide. Avoid these mistakes.
- Name mismatch — your passport name, including middle names, must match the application.
- Poor quality photo — shadows, glare, or wrong size will trigger rejection.
- Invalid passport expiry — passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your entry date.
- Incorrect port of entry — you must enter at the exact port selected on the form.
- Incomplete MRZ lines — the ICAO lines at the bottom of the passport page must be fully readable.
Vietnam e-visa guide: Tips for a Smooth Application
- Apply at least 2 weeks in advance — even if you’re in a hurry, having buffer time reduces anxiety.
- Use a professional visa service for urgent travel — they can get approval in 2–4 hours if you’re in a rush.
- Check your passport expiry date before starting the application.
- Double-check the port of entry — if you’re unsure, select the airport you’re flying into.
- Use the official portal — www.evisa.gov.van — and avoid third-party websites that charge extra.
You can check current ticket and travel deals on Trip.com.
Additionally, plan your flights after your visa is approved.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the e-visa take? Additionally, standard processing is 3–5 working days. Moreover, urgent services can get it to you in 2–4 hours.
Can I extend my e-visa while in Vietnam?
However, you must visit the immigration office in Vietnam, and extensions are not guaranteed.
Apply for the correct duration upfront to avoid this hassle, per the Vietnam e-visa guide.
What if my e-visa application is rejected? Additionally, the fee is non-refundable. You can reapply, but double-check everything before submitting.
You can enter Vietnam by land or sea with an e-visa. According to the Vietnam e-visa guide, e-visas are accepted at all 83 official entry points, including land borders and seaports.
Do children need a visa?
Additionally, according to the Vietnam e-visa guide, children generally require their own visa.
However, they must be included in a parent’s visa, depending on the rules.
Check with the official portal or your visa service.
Final Verdict
The Vietnam e-visa system has made entry simpler than ever. The online application takes about 15 minutes, processing is reliable, and the 90-day validity covers almost all tourist trips. Just follow the steps above, double-check your documents, and apply through the official portal. The key to a smooth process is attention to detail — and applying early.
Once your visa is ready, the rest of Vietnam is waiting. Check out my detailed guides to Hon Thom Island, Sunset Town, and Grand World to start planning your trip.
🏨 Where to Stay & What to Pair It With
Once your visa is approved, it’s time to book your accommodation. You’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts across Vietnam — check hotels in Vietnam to compare prices and read guest reviews. For a broader overview, I’ve put together guides to the best hotels on Phu Quoc, best hotels in Da Nang, and best hotels in Nha Trang if you’re still deciding where to base yourself.
Pair your trip with a visit to Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm for a unique cultural experience, or Sim Sơn Winery for a taste of Phu Quoc’s famous sim wine. For a full day of adventure, combine it with VinWonders and Safari — the park is one of the island’s top attractions.
