Vietnam Visa for Indians: What to Check Before You Apply

Indian passport holders visiting Vietnam as tourists usually apply online for an e-visa on the official government portal, two to three weeks before travel. You choose single or multiple entry, upload a passport scan and a photo, and print the approved e-visa to carry with you.

Vietnam's visa rules have changed in recent years, and older blog posts and agents' pages often repeat outdated details. This guide explains what to check, which documents to prepare and how to avoid common mistakes. It does not quote fees, which change; check them on the official portal. Information checked October 2026.

The short answer

Use only the official portal

Apply on the official Vietnam e-visa portal. Many websites look official but are private agents who charge extra and may store your passport data. If you prefer help, use a known travel company and ask them to apply on the government portal. Check the address bar before entering card details.

Documents to prepare

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with blank pages.
• Passport scan of the photo page, clear and without glare.
• Photograph taken recently against a plain background, without glasses.
• Travel dates and the airport or land border where you will enter and leave.
• Address in Vietnam, usually your first hotel.
• Email address you check regularly, for updates and the approval.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the official portal and choose the e-visa application for foreigners.
2. Upload your passport photo page and portrait photo.
3. Fill in personal details exactly as in your passport.
4. Choose single or multiple entry, and enter your intended dates and ports of entry and exit.
5. Pay online and save the registration code the portal gives you.
6. Check the status using the code, and download the approved e-visa when it is ready.
7. Print two copies and keep a digital copy on your phone.

Timelines and when to apply

Processing usually takes a few working days, but it can take longer during Tet, the Lunar New Year, and other public holidays. Apply two to three weeks before travel, and never book non-refundable connections that depend on the visa arriving the day before. If your plans change, check whether your e-visa dates still cover your trip.

Ports of entry

The e-visa lists the airport or border you plan to use. Most Indian travellers enter at Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) or Da Nang, and many fly open-jaw: into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City. Select these carefully. If you plan to cross by land from Cambodia or Laos, confirm on the official portal that the border crossing accepts e-visas.

Seven common mistakes

1. Using an agent site instead of the government portal.
2. Typing names in a different order from the passport.
3. Uploading a blurred passport scan or a photo with glasses.
4. Choosing single entry when you plan a side trip to a neighbouring country.
5. Entering wrong dates, so the visa expires before your flight home.
6. Applying too late, close to Tet or the Indian holiday peaks.
7. Not printing the e-visa; some airlines ask for a paper copy at check-in.

Which entry type suits your route

Dates, extensions and overstaying

Choose dates that cover your full trip with a small margin for flight changes. Do not assume you can extend an e-visa from inside Vietnam; plan the dates correctly from the start. Overstaying, even by a day, can lead to fines, delays at departure and problems with future visas. If a flight cancellation pushes you past your visa dates, contact your airline and the local immigration office straight away, and keep records of the disruption.

Checking your approved e-visa

When the approval arrives, check every detail before you print it: full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, entry type, validity dates and port of entry. If anything is wrong, contact the portal's support channel well before travel. Airlines compare the e-visa with your passport at check-in, so a small error can stop you boarding.

For families and parents

Each traveller, including children and infants, needs their own e-visa. Apply for the whole group at the same time, using the same dates and ports, and keep the registration codes in one place. Parents should check that passports are valid for at least six months, as older passports often expire sooner than expected.

At the airport

At check-in in India, airlines may ask to see your e-visa and return ticket. On arrival, go to the immigration counters for e-visa holders with your passport and printed e-visa. Officers may ask for your hotel address and return ticket, so keep them handy. Keep the e-visa until you leave Vietnam.

After the visa: planning the trip

With the visa sorted, choose your route. Most first trips combine Hanoi and Ha Long Bay with Ho Chi Minh City or central Vietnam. Our Hanoi and Ha Long Bay trip suits a short break, and Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City covers the centre and south. Read our 7-day Vietnam itinerary and Vietnam trip guide from India for routes, food and forex.

Travel insurance and money

Travel insurance is not usually required for the e-visa, but it is sensible for medical cover and delays. Vietnam uses the dong, and cards are widely accepted in cities, though cash helps in markets and small towns. Carry some US dollars or exchange rupees before travel.

Combining Vietnam with other countries

Many Indian travellers pair Vietnam with Cambodia, Thailand or Singapore. Each country has its own entry rules, so check them separately on official sources. Plan the order so that you do not need to re-enter Vietnam unless your e-visa allows multiple entries, and keep enough passport validity and blank pages for every border.

A note on accuracy

Visa rules can change without notice. This guide explains how the process generally works, but the official portal and the Embassy of Vietnam in India are the only authoritative sources. Check them before you apply and again before you fly.

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Your questions, answered

Can Indians apply for a Vietnam e-visa online?

Yes. Vietnam's e-visa is open to Indian passport holders and is applied for on the official government portal. Check the current rules there before you apply, as policies can change.

How long before travel should I apply?

Apply at least two to three weeks before departure. Processing usually takes a few working days, but it can be slower around Vietnamese public holidays such as Tet.

Should I choose single or multiple entry?

Choose multiple entry if you plan to leave Vietnam and come back, for example on a side trip to Cambodia or Thailand. For a straightforward round trip from India, single entry is usually enough.

What is the most common e-visa mistake?

Typing details that do not match the passport exactly, especially name order, passport number and date of birth. Any mismatch can lead to problems at check-in or immigration, so check every field before you submit.