Start with the passport you will actually use

Write down passport nationality, document type, expiry date, purpose and travel dates, then check the matching Vietnamese embassy or immigration guidance. Exemptions differ: Resolution 44/NQ-CP provides a 45-day stay for citizens of its 12 listed countries, with the policy running through 14 March 2028, subject to entry conditions. It is neither a universal allowance nor the complete list of exemptions. 1. Exemption confirmed for the whole trip: save the official guidance and check remaining passport and entry requirements. 2. No applicable exemption, or a stay beyond it: establish the appropriate visa before departure. Payment is not approval. 3. Unusual documents, a different purpose or unclear rules: ask the authorities rather than substituting a friend’s nationality or residence.

Use the official portal and prepare your information

Vietnam’s embassy in Japan identifies evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn as official portals. Check the full domain before uploading documents; an advertisement or agency quote is not the government application page. Prepare a recent portrait, passport biodata page, travel plans and accommodation details. ABIN suggests keeping clear originals in a private folder and never posting passport images or application references publicly. Follow the current form’s image specifications.

Map every entry and exit before choosing a visa

An e-visa may be issued for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry, subject to approval. For planning, mark domestic journeys separately from departures: HCMC to Hanoi stays within Vietnam; a side trip abroad followed by a return needs its own entry check. Do not count only hotel nights or assume each entry starts another 90 days. Compare flight dates, intended border points and the entire stay before completing the form.

Review before payment and keep a retrieval record

The Sri Lankan embassy in Vietnam lists government fees of US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, non-refundable even if no visa is granted. ABIN recommends two review passes: identity details first, then dates, entry count and accommodation. Check automatically extracted passport data too. Save the application reference and payment record. Agency charges or issuer fees are separate from the government fee.

Check the issued document, not just the receipt

Retrieve the result through the official system. ABIN’s final checklist is identity match, validity dates covering the itinerary, suitable entry count, and a border point accepting e-visas, followed by current airline and official entry requirements. Save an offline copy and a paper backup, and check your permitted stay again before departure from Vietnam. If details are wrong, approval is pending or flights fall outside validity, resolve this through official channels before travel. This guide promises no processing deadline or expedited outcome.

Keep essential information offline

Keep secure copies of your passport, valid entry documents, flights, accommodation addresses and emergency contacts. Save the first hotel's Vietnamese address before travelling. Use protected storage for sensitive documents, not public photo albums, and do not put them into this site's planning brief.

Prepare for your own route and health needs

Review reputable travel-health guidance and ask a qualified clinician about vaccines, medicines, pregnancy or existing conditions. Plan drinking water, sun and mosquito protection, and suitable activity levels. Check medical, cancellation and activity coverage in your insurance rather than assuming every outing is covered.

Keep written payment and booking records

Confirm currency and total cost, and keep cancellation terms, receipts and provider contacts. If someone changes the payee or pressures you to use an unfamiliar payment link, verify through the original trusted channel. This site's planning brief is not a reservation and collects no payment or card details. For cash, card and ATM decisions, read the Vietnam VND and DCC payment checklist.

Sources & verification

Destination background draws on the official source below. Suggested durations, base choices and pacing are this guide's editorial recommendations. Verify transport, tickets and operating details with the official source or provider before travelling.

Prepared 2026-11-12