Confused about Vietnam's 3 visa types? E-Visa, Visa on Arrival, or Embassy visa - which is best? Requirements, costs, processing times, and how to choose.
What it is: Online visa application, PDF approval sent via email
Cost: $25 (official site) or $299 (SwiftPass full service)
Processing: 3 business days
Validity: 90 days, single entry
Entry points: 13 airports, 16 land borders, 13 sea ports
Best for:
Pros: Cheapest, easiest, no airport queues, official government site
What it is: Buy "approval letter" online ($20-50), get visa stamp at Vietnam airport ($25 cash)
Cost: $45-75 total ($20-50 letter + $25 stamp)
Processing: 1-2 days for letter
Validity: 30 or 90 days, single/multiple entry
Entry points: Airports ONLY (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh)
Why avoid:
Only use if: You're already in Asia and flying to Vietnam last-minute (no time for e-Visa)
What it is: Apply at Vietnamese embassy/consulate in your country
Cost: $70-160 depending on country and visa type
Processing: 5-7 business days (can expedite for extra fee)
Validity: Up to 12 months, multiple entry available
Entry points: All borders
When needed:
Pros: Longest validity, multiple entry, all visa types. Cons: Most expensive, slowest, requires embassy visit
| Feature | E-Visa | Visa on Arrival | Embassy Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $25 | $45-75 | $70-160 |
| Processing | 3 days | 1-2 days | 5-7 days |
| Application | Online | Online + airport | In-person |
| Validity | 90 days | 30-90 days | Up to 12 months |
| Entries | Single | Single/multiple | Multiple |
| Entry points | 42 total | 5 airports only | All borders |
| Airport queue | No queue | 1-2 hour wait | No queue |
| Best for | Tourists, business | Last-minute | Long-stay, work |
Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (official Vietnam Immigration site). Beware of fake sites charging $99!
Personal info, passport details, entry/exit dates, entry port (choose Hanoi, HCMC, or Da Nang airport).
Passport scan (data page), passport photo (white background), Vietnam address (hotel booking).
Credit/debit card. Non-refundable. Get application code.
Check status with application code. Receive PDF e-Visa via email.
Print PDF, bring to Vietnam. Show with passport at immigration. No airport visa counter needed!
✅ Fix: ONLY use evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (official site, $25). Sites charging $99+ are scams or overpriced middlemen.
✅ Fix: Vietnam is NOT visa-free for Americans. "Visa on Arrival" still requires pre-approval letter. E-Visa is easier.
✅ Fix: Check if your land border is on the 16 approved list. Not all land borders accept e-Visa (some Cambodia borders don't).
✅ Fix: E-Visa takes 3 days. Apply at least 1 week before travel. Last-minute? Use VOA (if flying) or pay for rush embassy visa.
✅ Fix: E-Visa requires white background, no glasses, recent photo. Selfies often rejected. Use passport photo booth.
We handle your Vietnam e-Visa application. Form filling, document review, status monitoring. 99% approval rate. $299 all-inclusive.