Vietnam E-Visa: Complete Guide 2026

The Vietnam E-Visa: Your Best Ally for Entering the Country

Planning your first trip to Vietnam, or returning after several years? The e-visa is probably the simplest and fastest solution to set foot on Vietnamese soil. No more embassy queues, no more invitation letter hassles: everything is done online, from your couch, in less than 10 minutes.

And the good news is that since the August 2023 reform, the Vietnamese e-visa has been significantly improved. Previously, it was limited to 30 days single entry. Today, you can obtain a 90-day electronic visa with multiple entries. A real game changer for expats and long-term travelers.

Who Can Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa?

The good news is that the list of eligible nationalities is now very broad. In 2026, citizens of all countries in the world can apply for a Vietnamese e-visa. French, Belgian, Swiss, Canadian, and all French-speaking citizens are eligible without exception.

Requirements to meet:

• Have a passport valid at least 6 months after the planned entry date
• Not be banned from entering Vietnam
• Have a digital ID photo meeting standards (white background, 4x6 cm format)
• Have a scan of your passport identity page

E-Visa Characteristics in 2026

Duration and Entries

Here's what you concretely get:

• Maximum duration: 90 days
• Multiple entries: You can exit and return to Vietnam during the entire validity period
• Valid at all border checkpoints: International airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc...), land and maritime posts

Official Cost

The e-visa costs 25 USD (approximately €23), payable online by bank card. This is the rate set by the Vietnamese government. If you're asked for more, be careful: you're probably not on the right site.

Processing Time

Count on 3 working days normally. In practice, many applications are processed in 24 to 48 hours. But don't play with fire: apply at least one week before your departure, or even two weeks to be safe.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: The Official Site (Beware of Scams!)

This is THE critical point of the entire procedure. The only official site for Vietnamese e-visa is:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

There are dozens of fraudulent sites that imitate the official site. Some are very well made and even buy Google ads to appear above the real site. They charge you between $50 and $150 USD for a service that costs $25 USD. Repeat after me: only the .gov.vn domain is official.

Step 2: Complete the Form

The online form will ask for:

• Your personal information (surname, first name exactly as on passport, date of birth, nationality)
• Your passport information (number, expiration date)
• Your travel dates (planned entry and exit dates)
• The entry border post (planned airport or land post)
• Your address in Vietnam (first day hotel is sufficient)
• Your email to receive confirmation and visa

Step 3: Upload Documents

You'll need to upload two files:

• An ID photo: 4x6 cm format, white background, face forward, without glasses. The file must be less than 1 MB in JPEG.
• A passport scan: The page with your photo and information. Also less than 1 MB in JPEG.

Expat tip: The ID photo is the number 1 cause of rejection. Use an app like "Passport Photo" on your phone to frame properly. Plain white background, natural light, and you're done. Don't use a LinkedIn profile photo or cropped selfie, it won't pass.

Step 4: Pay Online

Payment is by international bank card (Visa, Mastercard). After payment, you receive a tracking code by email. Note it carefully, you'll need it to check your application status.

Step 5: Retrieve Your E-Visa

Within 3 working days, you'll receive an email with a link to download your e-visa in PDF format. Print it in color. Even though the digital version on your phone is often accepted by immigration officers, having a paper copy is still strongly recommended. In Vietnam, paper still carries weight.

Pitfalls to Absolutely Avoid

Fake E-Visa Sites

We can't repeat this enough. Google is full of sites presenting themselves as "official" or "government-approved." In reality, they're intermediaries overcharging for the service. Some have domain names very close to the official site. The golden rule: if the URL doesn't end with .gov.vn, move on.

Non-Compliant Photo

If your photo doesn't meet strict criteria (background not white enough, face too small or too large, glasses reflections, shadows on face...), your application will be rejected without refund of the $25 USD. Take time to make a correct photo, it'll cost less than a second attempt.

Form Errors

Check three times your passport number and name as it appears on your passport. The slightest typo can result in refusal at immigration upon arrival. The name must match exactly, including accents, hyphens, and surname/first name order.

Entry Dates

Your e-visa is valid from the entry date you indicated in the form. If you arrive before this date, you'll be turned away. If you arrive after, no problem (as long as the validity period hasn't expired). Lesson: indicate the earliest possible entry date to give yourself margin.

E-Visa or Visa Exemption: Which to Choose?

If you're French, you benefit from a 45-day visa exemption (policy renewed and applicable in 2026). So why bother with an e-visa?

• Stay under 45 days: The exemption is sufficient. It's free and automatic. You present your passport at immigration, you get stamped, done.
• Stay 45 to 90 days: Here, the e-visa becomes essential. The exemption only covers 45 days.
• Multiple exits/entries: The visa exemption is single entry. If you plan round trips (weekend in Cambodia, hop to Laos...), the e-visa with multiple entries is more suitable.
• Peace of mind: Even for a short stay, some travelers prefer having an official document in hand rather than depending on an exemption policy that can change.

Extending Your E-Visa On-Site

Your 90-day e-visa is expiring and you want to stay? Two options:

• Visa extension: Go to the local immigration office or use a local agency to request an extension. Count approximately $10 to $50 USD depending on requested duration. Processing time: 5 to 7 working days.
• Visa run: Exit Vietnam (often to Cambodia or Laos) and get a new e-visa or use the 45-day exemption upon return. This is the most common solution among expats and digital nomads.

Field tip: If you plan to stay long-term, look into the DN business visa or work permit, which offer much longer durations.

E-Visa and Digital Nomads in Vietnam

Vietnam has become a major hub for digital nomads. Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi offer exceptional quality of life at a moderate cost of living, with wifi cafes everywhere, coworking spaces on every corner, and a flourishing international community.

The 90-day e-visa with multiple entries fits perfectly with this lifestyle. You set down your bags, work from a beachfront cafe in Da Nang, and if you want to escape for a weekend in Thailand or Cambodia, you return hassle-free.

Be careful though: The e-visa doesn't grant you the right to work for a Vietnamese employer. If you're freelancing for foreign clients, you're in a gray zone that Vietnam tolerates for now. But if you sign a local contract, you'll need a work permit.

Practical Tips from an Expat in Vietnam

• Apply early: Even though the announced processing time is 3 days, allow margin. Weekends and Vietnamese holidays (Tết notably, late January/early February) don't count in working days.
• Save your e-visa everywhere: Email, phone, cloud, paper copy in suitcase and another in backpack. Belt and suspenders, always.
• Carefully verify dates: Entry date, exit date, validity duration. One day late and you risk a 500,000 VND fine per day of overstay (~$20 USD/day).
• Bring cash in VND: Upon arrival, you have nothing to pay at immigration, but having dong in pocket is always useful for the Grab at airport exit.
• Keep a passport copy: Always have a photocopy of your passport on you. In Vietnam, police can ask for your papers, and leaving your passport in the hotel safe is common practice.

FAQ

How Long Before Departure Should I Apply for My E-Visa?

Ideally, 2 to 3 weeks before. The official processing time is 3 working days, but better to have margin in case of rejection for non-compliant photo. You'll then have to reapply and pay the $25 USD again.

My E-Visa Was Refused—What to Do?

Don't panic. You can submit a new application immediately. In 90% of cases, it's a photo problem or input error. Correct and try again. The $25 USD from the first application unfortunately isn't refunded.

Can I Enter Vietnam by Land with an E-Visa?

Yes. Since 2023, the e-visa is accepted at all international border posts, including land posts with Laos, Cambodia, and China. Verify that the post you're targeting appears on the official list when you apply.

Recommended Guides

• Ho Chi Minh City Expat Guide 2026
• Da Nang Expat Guide 2026
• Vietnam Pre-Departure Checklist