Overview of Vietnam Tourist Visa Policy (2025 Update)
Visa Types That Allow Tourism Purposes
Travelers have a range of visa options based on their nationality, the length of their trip, and how they will be entering Vietnam. Some of the most popular for tourists include:
- eVisa (Electronic Visa): Convenient online eVisa application: applicable to 160 countries and regions.
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Applicable for those who use the approval letter to get stamped at some of the airports.
- Embassy/Consulate Visa: Embassy in your country, recommended for those who plan to enter Vietnam by other means than airplane (bus, train, etc).
- eVisa (Electronic Visa): Only for particular countries and shorter period without prior application for a visa.
Each of these options meets to different travel needs of backpackers and digital nomads, and those booking a quick family vacation.
Apply eVisa online for 160 countries (Source: thithucdientu)
Maximum Duration Allowed Under Each Visa Type
Now let’s dive deep into Vietnam visa how many days each one of them gives you:
- eVisa: Currently issued for 90 days and single entry, and multiple entries. This is the ideal solution for your needs if you are looking to travel flexibly in Vietnam and more.
- Visa on Arrival: An on-arrival visa is usually for 30 days or 90 days and may be multi-entry if your approval is multiple entry.
- Embassy Visa: Valid for up to 90 days, for some nationals even longer (e.g., U.S. passport holders). This ranks the Vietnam tourist visa 3 months among the few for long-stay tourists.
- Visa Exemption: Duration varies from 14 to 45 days depending on your country. For example:
- Japan, South Korea, and Scandinavian countries: 45 days
- Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain: 45 days
- Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore: 30 days
- Philippines: 21 days
- Brunei, Myanmar: 14 days
Visa Types and Stay Duration – Explained in Detail
eVisa (Electronic Visa – EV)
Well, if you’re a citizen of 160+ qualifying countries, well done, you can get an eVisa online as the quickest way to start entering Vietnam legally.
- Validity: Select from 30 or 90 days
- Entry: Single/Multiple entry (as indicated in your visa application)
- Who can apply: Applicants from more than 160 countries, including the U.S., the UK, Australia, and EU states
- Limitations: Not renewable within Vietnam; must leave to reapply
- Best for: Solo backpackers, digital nomads, short-stay tourists
If you’re wondering Vietnam visa how many days an eVisa in Vietnam does the trick for up to 90 days, but be careful: when it expires, you’re out.
EVisa Valid for 30 or 90 Days (Source: dichvuhanhchinhcong)
Visa on Arrival (VOA) – via Approval Letter
Traveling at the last minute? No problem. Visa on Arrival is designed for people who are in a rush and still wish to get a full visa without the hassle.
- Validity: 30 or 90 days
- Entry: Single or multiple entry
- Extendable: Yes, through a licensed travel or business agency sponsorship
- Best for: Last-minute trips, frequent travelers, group tours
- What you need:
- Approval letter (before your flight)
- Passport
- Photos (4×6 cm)
- Stamping fee (USD in cash at the airport)
The VOA process is done at the immigration desk of the airport immediately after landing. This is great for both travelers who are looking to stay longer or traveling for business, and it provides you with more flexibility to decide how many days you want to stay in Vietnam.
VOA valid for 30 or 90 days (Source: picassodental)
Tourist Visa via Embassy/Consulate (Sticker Visa)
If you like to have your visa in hand before flying or if you aren’t eligible for the eVisa or VOA, this is the safest option.
- Validity: Up to 90 days, in exceptional cases (e.g., US citizens), also 12 months
- Entry: One entry or multiple entries.
- Ideal for: Long-term visitors, retired visitors, or travellers who need more than a single entry during their visit
This visa format provides you with a firm legal basis for longer visits, ideal if you’re looking to tour leisurely around Vietnam.
Find out everything you need to know about getting your Vietnam tourist visa 3 months before your trip.
Visa-Free Entry
As of now, citizens of 25+ nationalities can visit Vietnam without a visa:
- 45 days: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan, South Korea
- 30 days: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia
- 21 days: Philippines
- 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar
Can You Extend Your Stay? – Visa Extension Rules in 2025
Which Visas Are Eligible for Extension?
However, not all visa types can be extended in Vietnam. Here’s what works:
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Yes, but extendable if sponsored by an Agency or company.
- Embassy/Consulate Visa: This type of visa can be extended without difficulty in many cases, a Vietnam tourist visa 3 months or even longer.
- Visa-free entry & eVisa: Not possible to extend. You do need to leave the country, reapply, or re-enter on a visa for Vietnam.
Required Documents for Extension
In addition to the cost of a temporary visa, applying for an extension will require you to prepare an entire, thorough file, which is typically processed through a visa agency or host company:
- Form NA5 – The official application form for visa extension
- Copy of passport and a page of the current visa
- Hotel reservation or proof of temporary accommodation
- Invitation letter on paper or sponsorship from a company (business or long-stay)
Form NA5 – Official Visa Extension Application (Source: PuLuongRetreat)
Common Reasons for Rejection
The immigration department is very black and white in their rules, so watch out for these red flags that will get your extension refused:
- Visa application forms with incomplete or incorrect information
- Wrong sponsor, especially for business visitors
- After submission, an overstayed or expired visa
- Asking for an extension to a 90-day-long eVisa or visa-free entry, you cannot do this
What Happens If You Overstay?
Legal Penalties and Fines
If you stay beyond your limit of 30, 45, or 90 days, you will face penalties, depending on the length of your overstay:
- 1-3 days: Typically just a fine (usually around $25-$50 USD)
- Over 5 days: Larger fines and possibility of temporary detention
- Extended overstays: Overstay Professional Arjan Dekkinga advises against overstaying and recommends that you arrange your visa affairs properly.
You’ll have to pay the fines before you can get out, and you’ll have to deal directly with the immigration department to sort out your status.
That’s the reason why it’s so important to figure out Vietnam visa how many days by law you can stay. Misreading your visa stamp is common, especially if you’re on multiple entry or eVisa.
Impact on Future Travel to Vietnam
But an overstay is not just concluded with a fine. It can affect your chances of getting a visa for Vietnam in the future. The consequences may include:
- Visa rejections for future applications to prevent further travel.
- Disqualification Vietnam tourist visa 3 months or multiple entries.
- Greater scrutiny of visa applications or at the time of arrival.
- Extensions or renewals take a more extended period.
And once you’re flagged in the system, the immigration department can have a record of it that follows you on future trips, not just in Ho Chi Minh, but at any port of entry.
How to Resolve an Accidental Overstay
The good news is that if you overstay due to an honest mistake, a duty-free emergency, or just not enough time to plan, you have some options:
- Be sure to check in with the nearest Immigration Office (in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Danang….) before your departure.
- Carry all relevant documents, passport, visa, visa application records, and supporting documentation (for example, a medical note or proof of flight cancellation).
- Act truthfully, kindly, and calmly. Officials will read over your situation and advise you on whether you will be fined or reprimanded accordingly.
- In certain situations, you may be able to process penalty and departure approval faster if you are represented by a professional visa agency.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a plan-ahead type or a spur-of-the-moment traveler, being clear on Vietnam visa how many days you can get is crucial. Whether you are going to be over-staying your Vietnam tourist visa 3 months stay in Vietnam, hopping borders as a multiple entry or or applying early for a visa for Vietnam, being legal matters. Still unsure? We’ll detail the best safe, smart choices so your time in Ho Chi Minh and beyond becomes one of those “trips of a lifetime.”