Vietnam Visa Cost: A Detailed Breakdown of E-Visa, VOA & Exemption Fees

Vietnam‘s visa system tripped up a surprising number of travelers in 2025 — people showing up at Tan Son Nhat airport with approval letters in hand but no USD cash for the stamping fee, or tourists applying through unofficial websites and paying double the real government rate. In 2026, the rules themselves haven’t changed dramatically since the big August 2023 overhaul, but the confusion around costs hasn’t gone away. This article breaks down exactly what each entry option costs, what the money actually pays for, and where travelers commonly lose cash unnecessarily.

All prices use an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 25,000 VND. Verify the current rate closer to your travel date, as fluctuations do occur.

Vietnam E-Visa: Cost, Process and What You Actually Get for $25

The e-visa is the straightforward choice for most travelers in 2026. Citizens of 167 countries are eligible, the entire process happens online before you leave home, and there are no surprises at the airport. The fee is 25 USD (approximately 625,000 VND), paid once, and that single payment covers both single-entry and multiple-entry visas for the full 90-day validity period. There is no cheaper tier or premium tier — everyone pays the same rate.

That 90-day window is generous. Prior to August 2023, the e-visa maxed out at 30 days with single entry only. The current version is a completely different product, and it makes the e-visa competitive with embassy-issued visas that used to be the only option for longer stays.

The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances — rejected application, cancelled trip, or simple error on the form. This makes accuracy on the application form critical before you hit submit.

Step-by-Step E-Visa Application

1. Go to the official portal only: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ — third-party sites charge markups of 20–50 USD for the same result.
2. Prepare your documents: A full-page digital scan of your passport’s biographical page (clear, no glare) and a digital passport photo (plain white background, no glasses, 4×6 cm, full face).
3. Fill the form carefully: Personal details, passport number, intended entry and exit dates, and your exact port of entry and exit from the official list. The portal allows entry through 42 international checkpoints including airports, land borders, and seaports.
4. Upload documents and pay: The 25 USD fee is paid by international credit or debit card — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or JCB are accepted directly on the government website.
5. Save your registration code: You receive this immediately after payment. You need it to check your application status.



6. Download and print your e-visa: Standard processing takes 3 working days. Return to the portal, enter your registration code, date of birth, and email to retrieve the approved visa. Print multiple copies — bring at least two physical copies to the airport.

At immigration, the process is quiet and fast. Hand over your passport and printed e-visa, the officer verifies the details, stamps your passport, and you walk through. No additional fees, no separate counter to find.

Visa-on-Arrival: The Full Price Picture (Agent Fee + Stamping Fee)

Visa-on-arrival sounds like something you sort out when you land. It isn’t. VOA requires a pre-approval letter arranged before you board your flight — airlines check for it, and without one, you will not be allowed to board. Once that is clear, the cost structure makes more sense: you are paying two separate parties at two separate times.

Cost Breakdown

Part 1 — Agent fee (paid before travel): This goes to a licensed Vietnamese visa agency that obtains your approval letter from the immigration department. Typical range is 10–50 USD (250,000–1,250,000 VND) depending on the agency, processing speed, and visa type. Urgent services (same-day or a few hours) cost more. Reputable agencies include vietnamvisapro.com, vietnam-visa.com, and myvietnamvisa.com — verify these are still active before using them in 2026.

Part 2 — Stamping fee (paid at the airport in cash): This is a Vietnamese government fee collected at the VOA counter on arrival. Current 2026 rates:

• Single entry, up to 3 months: 25 USD (625,000 VND)
• Multiple entry, up to 3 months: 50 USD (1,250,000 VND)
• Multiple entry, 3–6 months: 95 USD (2,375,000 VND)
• Multiple entry, 6–12 months: 135 USD (3,375,000 VND)

The stamping fee is paid in USD cash at the airport. VND may technically be accepted at some counters, but USD is what the officers expect, and showing up without it can cause real delays. ATMs in Vietnamese airports are located after immigration, not before — so you cannot use one to cover this fee if you forget.

Airport Procedure at the VOA Counter

1. After landing, look for the “Visa on Arrival” or “Landing Visa” counter — it sits before the main immigration desks.
2. Present your passport, printed approval letter, completed Entry and Exit Form, and two passport-sized photos (4×6 cm).



3. Wait for your name to be called. The officer processes the application and applies a visa sticker to your passport.
4. Pay the stamping fee in USD cash.
5. Proceed to regular immigration control with your newly stamped passport.

Processing at this counter can be slow during busy arrival windows at Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City). Budget 30–60 minutes beyond your normal immigration time, particularly on peak-season mornings when multiple international flights land within the same hour.

Visa Exemption Countries: Who Pays Nothing and for How Long

If your nationality qualifies, you pay zero — no application fee, no agent, no stamping fee. Vietnam’s exemption tiers in 2026 are as follows:

45-Day Unilateral Exemption

Citizens of these 13 countries can stay up to 45 days per visit with no visa required: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belarus.

30-Day Exemption

Most ASEAN member states — Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia — plus Chile (bilateral agreement) qualify for 30 days.

14-Day Exemption

Brunei and Myanmar receive 14-day visa-free entry.

For all exemptions, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned exit date, and you should carry proof of onward travel — a return or connecting flight booking. These are standard checks at immigration.

The 30-day rule applies across all exemption categories: after exiting Vietnam on a visa exemption, you must wait at least 30 days before re-entering on another exemption. Trying to do a quick border run and return the next day will not work. If you want to re-enter sooner, you need an actual visa — an e-visa at 25 USD is the simplest route.

Phu Quoc’s Special Exemption: The Free-Entry Loophole Most Travelers Miss

Phu Quoc operates under a separate rule that applies to all nationalities, not just the 13 or 30-day exemption countries. If you fly directly into Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) from an international destination, you can stay on the island for up to 30 days, completely free — no visa required, no fee of any kind.

The condition is strict: you must enter through Phu Quoc and exit through Phu Quoc directly to an international destination. The moment you try to travel to the Vietnamese mainland — Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi — you need a valid visa. This exemption is specifically for travelers whose entire Vietnam itinerary is Phu Quoc itself.

What Changed After August 2023 — and Why It Still Matters in 2026

The August 15, 2023 reforms were the most significant update to Vietnam’s visa policy in years, and their effects are still the foundation of the current system in 2026. If you read older travel guides or forum posts from 2022 or early 2023, the information will be wrong in important ways.

The key changes that remain in effect:

• E-visa validity went from 30 days to 90 days. Previously, the e-visa was barely useful for anyone planning more than a month. Now a single 25 USD application covers three full months with multiple entries.
• Multiple-entry e-visas became available at no extra cost. Before the reform, multiple-entry required a more expensive visa type obtained through an embassy.
• Visa-free duration for 13 nationalities doubled from 15 to 45 days. UK, German, French, Japanese, and Korean travelers in particular used to scramble to plan tight itineraries around a 15-day window. That constraint is gone.
• No visa categories were removed. VOA, e-visa, and exemptions all still exist.

No major new government visa services or official expedited processing channels have been added since then. The e-visa portal, the VOA process, and the exemption rules you read about today are what you will encounter in 2026.

Common Mistakes That Cost Travelers Time and Money

Most visa problems in Vietnam are self-inflicted. The rules are clear — the errors happen in the application or at the airport.

• Using unofficial e-visa websites: Dozens of sites mimic the official portal’s design and charge 50–100 USD for the exact same 25 USD government e-visa. The URL to bookmark is https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ only.
• Wrong entry or exit point on the e-visa: The port you select on your application is the port you must use. If you change your flight routing, your e-visa may be invalid for your new entry point. You would need to apply again and pay another 25 USD.
• No USD cash for VOA stamping: This catches travelers every week at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat. The stamping counter does not have a card reader. Bring exact or near-exact USD cash.
• Forgetting to print the e-visa or approval letter: Immigration officers want a physical document. A phone screen is not reliably accepted. Print at least two copies and keep a digital backup in your email.
• Applying too close to departure: The e-visa takes 3 working days under normal circumstances. Apply 7–10 days ahead to have room for any issues.
• Ignoring the 30-day re-entry rule on exemptions: Trying to re-enter Vietnam one or two weeks after exiting on a visa exemption will result in denial at the border. The 30-day gap is enforced.
• Passport validity: A passport expiring within 6 months of your planned departure from Vietnam will get you denied boarding or rejected at immigration, regardless of visa status.

2026 Budget Reality: Total Entry Costs by Traveler Type

Here is what Vietnam visa entry actually costs at each level, all-in.

Budget — Visa-Exempt Nationality (e.g., UK, German, French, Japanese, Korean citizen)

• Total visa cost: 0 USD (0 VND)
• Stay up to 45 days, no application needed, no fees at the border

Mid-Range — E-Visa (most nationalities, staying up to 90 days)

• E-visa fee: 25 USD (625,000 VND)
• No additional airport fees
• Total: 25 USD

Comfortable — VOA with Multiple-Entry (up to 3 months)

• Agent approval letter fee: approximately 20–50 USD (500,000–1,250,000 VND)
• Airport stamping fee: 50 USD (1,250,000 VND)
• Total: approximately 70–100 USD (1,750,000–2,500,000 VND)

Long-Stay — VOA Multiple-Entry (6–12 months)

• Agent fee: approximately 30–60 USD
• Stamping fee: 135 USD (3,375,000 VND)
• Total: approximately 165–195 USD (4,125,000–4,875,000 VND)

For the vast majority of travelers in 2026 — a solo backpacker, a couple on a two-month trip, a business traveler doing a few trips in and out — the e-visa at 25 USD is the right answer. It is cheaper than VOA, simpler than an embassy application, and the 90-day multiple-entry allowance covers almost every itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost in 2026?

The Vietnam e-visa costs 25 USD (approximately 625,000 VND). This fee covers both single-entry and multiple-entry options, with a maximum validity of 90 days. The fee is the same for all eligible nationalities and is paid directly on the official government portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. It is non-refundable in all circumstances.

Is visa-on-arrival cheaper than an e-visa for Vietnam?

No. VOA costs more in almost every case. You pay an agent fee of 10–50 USD for the approval letter, plus a government stamping fee of 25–135 USD at the airport, depending on entry type and duration. For a standard single-entry visit, VOA costs at least 35–75 USD total versus 25 USD for an e-visa.

Which countries get free entry to Vietnam in 2026?

Citizens of 13 countries get 45 visa-free days: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. Most ASEAN nationals get 30 days free. Brunei and Myanmar get 14 days. All nationalities flying directly to Phu Quoc get 30 days free on the island only.

Can I extend my Vietnam e-visa if I want to stay longer than 90 days?

Visa extensions are possible in Vietnam but are processed through the immigration department and are not guaranteed. The simpler approach for many travelers is to exit Vietnam briefly — to Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos — and re-enter on a new e-visa. Note that visa-exempt travelers must wait 30 days before re-entering on another exemption; e-visa holders do not have this restriction.

Do I need to print my Vietnam e-visa, or is a phone screen acceptable?

Always print your e-visa. While some officers have occasionally accepted digital copies, official guidance requires a printed document. Carry at least two printed copies and keep a digital backup in your email. Airline staff at check-in counters outside Vietnam may also ask to see your e-visa before boarding, so do not rely solely on your phone.

📷 Featured image by Kent Lâm on Unsplash.