Vietnam eVisa vs Visa on Arrival vs Exemption

Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the GoVietVisa processing team

Vietnam has three legal ways to enter, and the right one depends on your nationality and timeline. Since the eVisa expanded to all nationalities, the landscape has shifted a lot — here is how the options actually compare in 2026.

The Three Options at a Glance

Visa Exemption

If your nationality is on the exemption list, you simply fly in with a valid passport — no application, no fee. Durations run from 14 to 90 days depending on your country, with many getting 45. The catch: it cannot be extended, and if your nationality is not listed, it does not apply. Check whether you qualify in our do I need a visa guide.

eVisa — Best for Most Travelers

The eVisa is fully online and open to every nationality. You apply, upload a photo and passport scan, pay the government fee (USD 25 single / 50 multiple), and receive a PDF by email, usually within about three working days. It is valid for 30 or 90 days, in single or multiple entry, and is accepted at airports, land borders, and seaports. For the vast majority of travelers who are not exempt, this is the answer. If you are short on time, see urgent processing options.

Visa on Arrival — the Legacy Option

“Visa on arrival” is misleading: you cannot just land and ask for one. It still requires a pre-approval letter arranged before departure, and then:

• It works only for air arrivals at major airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang) — not land or sea borders.
• At the airport you present the approval letter, passport, photos, and an entry form, and pay a stamping fee in cash.
• It is now used mainly for urgent or special cases — last-minute travel or sponsored/organized visits.

For ordinary tourists it has been overtaken by the eVisa, which is simpler, cheaper, and works at far more entry points.

Which Should You Choose?

• Exempt nationality, short stay: just travel on your exemption.
• Not exempt, or staying longer: apply for an eVisa.
• Flying within hours and out of eVisa time: visa on arrival can be a backup, but an urgent eVisa often still beats it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Vietnam eVisa and visa on arrival?

An eVisa is fully online: you apply, pay, and receive it by email before you fly, and it works at airports, land borders, and seaports. Visa on arrival requires a pre-approval letter arranged before departure, is only for air travelers at major airports, and involves paying a stamping fee in cash at the airport counter. For most travelers the eVisa is simpler and cheaper.

Is visa on arrival still available for Vietnam in 2026?

Yes, technically, but it has been largely replaced by the eVisa. Visa on arrival still requires a pre-approval letter, applies only to air arrivals, and is now used mainly for urgent or special cases such as last-minute travel or sponsored visits. Ordinary tourists are steered toward the eVisa.

Which is best: exemption, eVisa, or visa on arrival?

If your nationality is visa-exempt and your stay fits the allowed days, exemption is the cheapest and easiest. Otherwise the eVisa is best for almost everyone, since it is online, available to all nationalities, and valid up to 90 days. Visa on arrival is now a niche backup, mainly for urgent air travel.

Do I still need anything if I'm visa-exempt?

If you are exempt, you do not need a visa, only a passport valid at least six months with blank pages, and you must stay within your exemption period. Note that a separate digital arrival card may apply at some airports regardless of your visa status, so check that requirement too.

Can I get a visa at the Vietnam airport without anything prepared?

No. You cannot simply arrive and request a visa. Visa on arrival still requires a pre-approval letter obtained before you fly, and the eVisa must be approved before departure. Showing up with nothing prepared, when your nationality needs a visa, means you can be refused boarding.

This guide is for general information. Vietnam visa rules can change — always verify current requirements on the official portal. GoVietVisa is a private visa assistance service, not the official government portal (evisa.gov.vn).