Vietnam Visa for Indians

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam, and the simplest, cheapest option is the official e-visa — there is no need to visit an embassy. You apply online, upload a few documents, pay the government fee, and receive a PDF e-visa by email. It now allows a generous stay of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Planning the trip? See our Vietnam travel guide and Vietnam trip cost guide.

Important: apply only through the official portal, evisa.gov.vn — many lookalike sites charge inflated fees. You can estimate the fee with our visa fee calculator.

E-visa: single vs multiple entry

During the application you choose:

• Single entry — USD 25: right for one Vietnam trip.
• Multiple entry — USD 50: ideal if you'll pop into Cambodia or Laos and come back, or visit Vietnam more than once within the validity.

Both allow up to 90 days. Choose carefully — you can't switch from single to multiple after the visa is issued without reapplying.

Documents for the e-visa

• A clear scan of your passport bio page (valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages).
• A recent passport-style photo meeting the e-visa spec (plain background, no glasses).
• Your intended entry and exit dates and port.
• A card for the online fee (USD 25/50).

Photo upload tips: the e-visa photo must be a straight-on passport style on a white background, no glasses, both ears visible, in JPG. Scan the passport bio page flat with no glare and all four corners visible. Mismatched names or a cropped photo are the top reasons a file is sent back, so double-check before paying.

Arrival & entry points

The e-visa is accepted at 83 border checkpoints — all major airports (Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City), plus land and sea borders. Print your e-visa and keep a digital copy; immigration will scan it. Match your actual entry port to what's reasonable for your itinerary.

Processing time & tracking

The official portal usually issues the e-visa in about 3–7 working days, though it can run faster or slower depending on volume — so apply at least a week to ten days before travel. After paying, you receive a registration/dossier code; use it on evisa.gov.vn to check status and download the PDF once approved. There is no government express tier — third-party 'urgent' services simply charge a premium on the same process. Don't book non-refundable flights until the e-visa is issued, and check that every detail on it matches your passport.

Top rejection & delay reasons

• Non-compliant photo: the single most common issue — use a plain background, no glasses, recent and correctly sized.
• Blurry or cropped passport scan: upload a clear, full bio-page image.
• Mismatched details: name/passport number/date errors against the passport cause rejection or re-application.
• Passport under 6 months validity or no blank pages.
• Entering at a checkpoint not listed on the e-visa.

Vietnam's e-visa approval rate for tourists is high — almost all problems are upload or data-entry errors, easily avoided by double-checking before you pay.

Real applicant scenarios

Standard tourist: the whole process is online at the official portal — a clear passport bio-page scan, a compliant white-background photo, and your exact entry date and port are all you need. Backpacker hopping to Cambodia or Laos: pick the USD 50 multiple-entry option so re-entering Vietnam is covered. Family: every traveller, including children, needs a separate e-visa with their own photo. Almost all refusals are photo or data-entry errors, so check every field against the passport before paying.

Step-by-step

1. Go to the official portal evisa.gov.vn (avoid lookalike sites).
2. Choose single (USD 25) or multiple entry (USD 50) and fill the application.
3. Upload your passport bio-page scan and a compliant photo.
4. Enter your arrival/exit dates and intended port of entry.
5. Pay the government fee online and note your registration code.
6. Receive the e-visa PDF in about 3–7 working days; print it and save a copy on your phone.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying through unofficial lookalike sites that charge inflated fees — use evisa.gov.vn only.
• Choosing single entry when your plan includes a side-trip to Cambodia/Laos and return.
• Passport with under 6 months validity or no blank pages.
• Photo not meeting the e-visa spec (background, glasses) — a common rejection reason.
• Entering at a port different from a valid e-visa checkpoint.
• Leaving the application to the last minute — allow 3–7 working days.

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