Short answer: you apply for a Vietnam eVisa online at the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. You upload a scan of your passport data page and a portrait photo, choose single or multiple entry, pay the government fee by card (US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry) and wait about 3 working days for the result by email. The eVisa allows stays of up to 90 days and is open to citizens of every country. Below is the full process step by step, with the photo rules and the small mistakes that cause most delays.
Visa rules change. The details below were checked against the official portal instructions and recent sources in October 2026. Always confirm on evisa.gov.vn before you apply.
Vietnam eVisa at a glance
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Citizens of all countries and territories (since August 2023) |
| Official website | evisa.gov.vn (the only official portal) |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days, as issued on your eVisa |
| Entry types | Single entry or multiple entry |
| Government fee | US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry (not refundable) |
| Processing time | About 3 working days after a complete application and payment; allow longer around holidays |
| You need | Passport valid 6+ months, passport data page image, portrait photo, email, card for payment |
| Where you can enter | The airports, land borders and seaports listed on the portal, including Da Nang International Airport |
Do you need an eVisa at all?
Check this first, because it can save you the fee. Vietnam lets citizens of some countries visit without a visa for a limited number of days. This includes ASEAN neighbours and a list of other countries, among them many European nationalities, Japan and South Korea, several of which currently get up to 45 days. The list has been extended several times since 2023, so look up your own passport on the official immigration sources before you book.
You will still need an eVisa if:
- your nationality is not on the visa-exemption list;
- you plan to stay longer than your visa-free period allows;
- you want to leave Vietnam and come back on the same trip, for example a side trip to Cambodia, Laos or Thailand (choose a multiple-entry eVisa).
What you need before you start
Have everything ready before you open the form. Most failed or delayed applications come from a blurry scan or a photo that does not meet the rules.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with blank pages.
- Passport data page image: a clear, full-page photo or scan showing your photo, personal details and both lines of letters and numbers at the bottom (the machine-readable zone). No glare, no fingers over the text, no cropped edges.
- Portrait photo: recent, 4 × 6 cm format, white background, looking straight at the camera, no glasses and no hat. JPG/JPEG, under 2 MB.
- Trip details: your planned entry date, length of stay, entry and exit points (for example Da Nang International Airport), and the address of your first hotel.
- Email address that you check often. Your registration code and result are sent here.
- A payment card enabled for international online payments.
How to apply for a Vietnam eVisa: step by step
Step 1: Open the official portal
Type evisa.gov.vn into your browser yourself rather than clicking an advert. Search results are full of look-alike sites that charge far more than the government fee. Some are honest agencies, but they should say clearly that they are not the government. If a site does not, close it.
Step 2: Fill in the application form
Choose the eVisa application for foreigners outside Vietnam. Then enter your details:
- Name exactly as in the machine-readable zone of your passport. Do not add or leave out middle names.
- Date of birth, sex, nationality and passport number, checked twice against your passport.
- Entry type: single or multiple.
- Intended date of entry and length of stay. The eVisa is valid from the date you choose, so pick a start date on or slightly before your arrival.
- Port of entry and exit. Choose where you will actually arrive. Flying into Da Nang? Select Da Nang International Airport.
Step 3: Upload your passport image and photo
Upload the passport data page and the portrait. Zoom in before you upload: if you cannot read every letter at the bottom of the passport page, the officer cannot either.
Step 4: Review everything, then submit
This is the step that matters most. Once you submit, you cannot edit the application. A typo in your passport number or a wrong entry date usually means a new application and a new fee. Read each field against your passport one more time.
Step 5: Pay the government fee
Pay by card on the portal: US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry. If the payment fails, check that your card allows international online payments before you try again.
Step 6: Save your registration code
You will receive a registration code by email. Keep it safe. You need it, with your email and date of birth, to check the status of your application and to download your eVisa.
Step 7: Download and print your eVisa
When the status changes to approved, download the eVisa PDF. Check every detail on it, then print a copy and save one on your phone. Airlines may ask to see it at check-in, and immigration officers in Vietnam often prefer paper.
How long does a Vietnam eVisa take?
The official processing time is about 3 working days. That count starts after you submit a complete application and pay, and it does not include weekends or Vietnamese public holidays. In practice:
- Apply at least 1–2 weeks before you fly, longer in peak season.
- Avoid applying just before Tet (Lunar New Year), when government offices close for several days and a backlog follows.
- If the status asks you to amend information, fix it promptly. The processing time starts again after you resubmit.
- Do not submit a second application while the first is still processing. Duplicates can slow both down.
Single entry or multiple entry?
Choose single entry if you will arrive in Vietnam once and leave at the end of your trip. Choose multiple entry if you plan to leave and come back on the same visa, for example Vietnam, then Angkor Wat in Cambodia, then back to Da Nang. Both allow stays of up to 90 days. You cannot change from single to multiple entry later, so if your plans might include a border crossing, the extra US$25 is usually worth it.
Common mistakes that cause delays
- Using an unofficial website by accident and paying several times the real fee.
- A blurry or cropped passport image, especially when the bottom lines are cut off.
- The wrong portrait: glasses on, a coloured background, a selfie at an angle, or a photo copied from the passport.
- Name order mistakes, such as swapping first and last names or adding a nickname.
- Wrong dates: an eVisa starting after your flight lands, or ending before you leave.
- Wrong port of entry. Choose the airport or border where you will really arrive.
- Applying too late and planning around a fixed delivery date that nobody can guarantee.
Arriving at Da Nang Airport with an eVisa
Da Nang International Airport is an approved eVisa entry point. On arrival, go straight to the immigration counters with your passport and printed eVisa. There is no separate visa-on-arrival desk to visit. After immigration and baggage claim you will find ATMs, money exchange and SIM card kiosks in the arrivals hall.
If you would rather not search for a taxi after a long flight, a pre-booked Da Nang airport transfer means a driver waits for you with a name sign at a fixed price. Heading straight to the old town? Our guide to getting from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An compares every option, and our Da Nang to Hue guide covers the trip north.
Prefer someone to handle it for you?
You can do everything yourself on evisa.gov.vn and pay only the government fee. If you would like a second pair of eyes, our local team in Da Nang offers Vietnam eVisa assistance: we check your passport image and photo against the rules, confirm the right entry type and port, submit on the official portal and email you the result. We are a private travel service, not the immigration department, so we cannot speed up or guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Vietnam eVisa cost?
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, paid on evisa.gov.vn. The fee is not refunded if the application is refused. Agencies charge a service fee on top.
How long can I stay on a Vietnam eVisa?
Up to 90 days, within the dates printed on your eVisa.
How early can I apply?
You can apply well before your trip. Most travellers apply 2–4 weeks ahead, which leaves time to fix any problem without stress.
Can I apply for an eVisa if I am already in Vietnam?
The standard eVisa application is for foreigners outside Vietnam. If you are already in the country and need to stay longer, contact the immigration authorities or a licensed agency about the correct procedure.
Can I enter Vietnam at Da Nang on an eVisa?
Yes. Da Nang International Airport is on the list of approved entry points. Select it as your port of entry when you apply.
Do I need to print my eVisa?
It is strongly recommended. Airlines and immigration officers may ask to see a paper copy, and a phone battery can always run out.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once your eVisa is sorted, start with our Da Nang travel guide, check the weather month by month, and book your airport pickup so your first hour in Vietnam is the easy part. Questions? Message us and a local will reply within 24 hours.