Vietnam eVisa vs Visa on Arrival vs Exemption

Updated 2026-07-04

There are three ways a foreigner can enter Vietnam legally — the eVisa, a "visa on arrival" (which is not what most people think), and visa exemption. They are often confused, and picking the wrong one can cost you a boarding pass. This guide lays out all three side by side so you can choose with confidence, and InTimeVisa can prepare the paperwork for you.

The three routes at a glance

Most travelers should use the eVisa. It is the simplest, works for tourism and business, and is applied for entirely online before you fly. The other two routes are narrower than they sound.

• eVisa — validity up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Applied for online before departure; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. Valid only at approved ports of entry (about 83 gates). Best for: most travelers, including short trips and repeat business visits.
• Visa on arrival (VOA) — you must first obtain a pre-approval letter through a sponsor, then collect the visa stamp at the airport on arrival. Air travel only, never at land or sea borders. Best for: a narrow set of cases where a pre-approval is arranged in advance; for most people the eVisa is simpler.
• Visa exemption — no visa at all, for nationals of 12 countries under a unilateral scheme running 15 Mar 2025 to 14 Mar 2028, for short stays only. Best for: passport holders of those specific countries. Important: China is not on the list.

The eVisa: right for most travelers

The eVisa is the official electronic visa issued by the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh). It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry — the only validity we handle — and you apply for it online, before you travel, without visiting an embassy.

Standard processing is about 3–5 working days; the statutory basis is up to 3 working days for a complete, paid application. If your departure is close, an express or same-day rush service is available for an extra fee. The eVisa is valid only at approved ports of entry — about 83 gates under Resolution 389/NQ-CP of 2 December 2025 — which now include the main China land gates at Mong Cai, Huu Nghi and Lao Cai. Always check that your intended gate is on the list.

"Visa on arrival" is not a landing visa

This is the single biggest misunderstanding. In Vietnam, a "visa on arrival" does not mean you turn up at the airport and buy a visa on the spot. You must first arrange a pre-approval (visa approval) letter through a licensed sponsor before you fly; only then can you collect the visa stamp at an airport counter on arrival.

It also only works for air travel — never at land or sea border crossings. Because it needs a sponsor and advance paperwork anyway, for most independent travelers the eVisa is faster and cleaner. If you have seen the phrase "landing visa," treat it as marketing shorthand, not a route you can rely on at the border.

Visa exemption: helpful, but limited — and not for China

Vietnam grants unilateral visa exemption to nationals of 12 countries under Resolution 11/NQ-CP, in force from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028. If your passport is on that list, you can enter for a short stay without any visa at all.

Two cautions. First, exemption covers only a limited number of days per entry, so it does not suit longer trips — for those the 90-day eVisa is the better fit. Second, China is not on the exemption list, so travelers on a Chinese passport always need a visa or eVisa, at every entry. When in doubt, the eVisa is the safe default.

Which should you choose?

For the great majority of travelers, the eVisa is the right answer: it is online, valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and accepted at the approved ports including the main China land gates. Consider visa exemption only if your specific nationality is on the 12-country list and your trip is short. Consider "visa on arrival" only if a sponsor has already arranged a pre-approval letter and you are flying in.

InTimeVisa prepares and lodges the eVisa application, tracks it, and offers an express option when you are short on time — so you are not guessing at the airport.