Complete Guide to Your Vietnam Tourist Visa in 2025

By the end of this article, you’ll know
– Which visa type fits your itinerary
– How to apply step by step
– What’s changed in 2025
– Unique exemptions—including Phu Quoc Island
– Exactly where you can enter and exit

Types of Vietnam Tourist Visas

Vietnam offers several tourist visa categories based on length and entries. You can choose between a short single-entry slip or a longer multiple-entry permit.

Single-entry, 30-day visa

Allows one entry for up to 30 days—ideal if you plan a single trip to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or elsewhere on the mainland. This category aligns with the official e-visa regulations on Vietnam’s Immigration Portal (single entry, 30 days).

Multiple-entry, 90-day visa

Grants you multiple entries over three months, perfect for repeat visits or border-hopping into Cambodia or Laos and returning to Vietnam. Details are outlined on the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s official site.

How to Apply for Your Visa

Three main channels make obtaining a tourist visa straightforward:

1. E-visa

• Apply on the official e-visa portal
• Upload a scan of your passport and a recent photo
• Pay with credit/debit card (US $25)
• Receive your visa by email in 3–5 business days

2. Visa on Arrival (VOA)

• Secure an approval letter through a licensed agent
• Present the letter at the visa counter upon arrival
• Pay the stamping fee in cash (US $25–50)
• Provide two passport-size photos

For a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s VOA procedures, see the Visa on Arrival section in the U.S. Department of State travel guide which outlines typical requirements and best practices.

3. Embassy or Consulate

• Complete the paper application form
• Submit your passport, photos, and fee in person or by mail
• Wait 5–7 business days for processing
• Collect your passport with visa either in person or via courier

Fees and Required Documents

Visas vary in cost and paperwork. Prepare the following:

• Valid passport (at least six months beyond your planned departure date)
• Passport photo (4 × 6 cm)
• Completed application form
• Payment depending on type:
• E-visa: US $25
• VOA stamping fee: US $25–$50
• Embassy visa: US $50–$100
• Approval letter (only for VOA)

What’s New in 2025

Recent policy shifts simplify travel further:

• Expanded visa-exempt list to include Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland, as outlined in the draft visa policy update from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• E-visas now available to all nationalities, valid for 90 days with multiple entries, per the same visa policy summary on Wikipedia
• Suspension of the one-year multiple-entry tourist visa for U.S. citizens until further notice, according to the official announcement from Vietnam’s Department of Consular Affairs.

“These adjustments show Vietnam’s commitment to welcoming more travellers with fewer hurdles.”
– Immigration Law Expert Nguyen Thi Lan, in an interview published by The Diplomat

Visa Exemptions: Phu Quoc Island and Beyond

Certain travellers don’t need a visa at all under specified conditions:

• Phu Quoc Island: All nationalities may stay visa-free for up to 30 days if they arrive directly by air or sea and remain on the island, per the visa exemption section on Vietnam’s government tourism site.
• Mainland Vietnam: Citizens of 25 countries enjoy visa-free stays ranging from 14 to 90 days, depending on nationality, as detailed on the Vietnam Immigration Authority’s visa exemption summary.

Entry and Exit Points for E-Visa Holders

If you choose an e-visa, you must enter and exit through designated ports:

• Airports: Noi Bai (HAN), Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Da Nang (DAD)
• Land Borders: Mong Cai (China), Lao Cai (China), Lao Bao (Laos)
• Seaports: Chan May, Hai Phong

For the full list—and instructions on documenting border crossings—refer to the designated entry points on Vietnam’s Immigration Portal.

What to Prepare at Immigration

Even visa-exempt travellers should be ready to show:

• Proof of onward or return ticket
• Sufficient funds (approximately US $50 per day)

Immigration officers may request these documents at any stage of your arrival or departure process.

Your Passport to Paradise

You’re now equipped with every detail on Vietnam’s tourist visa: available types, application routes, fees, new rules for 2025, exemptions (especially the Phu Quoc perk), and the precise entry and exit points. Pack your bags, book your flight, and get ready to discover Vietnam’s vibrant cities, lush countryside, and stunning coastlines.