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Getting a Visa for Vietnam Package Tours: E-Visa or Visa on Arrival?

Thinking of traveling to Vietnam in 2025? Then, you’re going to getting a visa for Vietnam, but that’s good because it’s the first step! But thanks to new regulations, under which applicants of any nationality can now get a (much) more convenient visa online, setting foot in this world of wonders is easier than ever. Whether you’re flying into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, staying for the short term or plotting a multiple-entry trip, this guide will help explain everything you need to know. Unsure if you qualify? Do Germans need a visa for Vietnam? Let’s discover!

Tour in Details

What is a Vietnam E-Visa?

The Vietnam E-Visa (EV) is the easiest way to getting a visa for Vietnam in just 24-72 hours! All foreign visitors can now apply online for this official visa type through our secure website: this is the type of visa that is granted and accepted by the Vietnam Immigration Department.

It is a simple process, with only one form to fill out and one payment to make (25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry) before receiving an e-mail granting an e visa in 3-5 working days. It is valid for up to 90 days, ideal for tourists, short-term business, or visiting family. 

You can use it to cross into and out of Vietnam at 42 official points of entry, all major international airports, land borders, and sea ports. No matter if you are arriving in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, this visa can facilitate your landing.

Why choose the E-Visa?

  • The course is fully online – no need to reach out to the Vietnamese embassy
  • There’s no airport line - just show up and go
  • Safe and handled by Vietnamese authorities

Things to note:

  • Once submitted, no alterations can be made
  • You need to go in by the port that is specified on your visa
  • Apply early to avoid delays
Getting a visa for Vietnam with Vietnam E-Visa

Vietnam E-Visa (Source: thithucdientu.gov)

What is Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

Here’s another thrilling way to getting a visa for Vietnam, the Visa on Arrival (VOA)! Specially created for those visiting Vietnam by air, this way is suitable for those who get off the plane in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and is still one of the best options in some cases.

To utilize this process, initially, you’ll require a visa approval letter, arranged online by a licensed travel agency or tour operator. As soon as you have this letter, you can take it with you to the airport in Vietnam, and you will get your visa stamped there.

In 2025, VOA will be now only as an option for certain nationalities and contexts, and it will be primarily available through local tour operators. Since U.S. citizens are granted multi-entry visas up to 1 year, it’s ideal for frequent business trips or extended family visits.

How it works:

  1. Process visa applications both online and through an agency.
  2. Receive the approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department
  3. Board with an acceptable international airport
  4. Cash for stamping fee ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry)
  5. Get your visa to Vietnam stamped at the airport!

Why travelers still choose VOA:

  • Super fast processing – urgent needs can be approved within 2-4 hours
  • Perfect for business travellers for extended stays or multiple flexible entries
  • Applicable for visitors from other countries who are not eligible for the e visa.

But keep in mind:

  • VOA is only valid for airport arrivals – land or sea borders are out of the question.
  • You could find a long line at the visa booth.
  • Costlier because of 2 different transaction charges (Service fee + Stamping fee)
  • Precision is key: Incorrectness on your visa forms can delay your trip
Getting a visa for Vietnam with Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) (Source: picassodental)

Head-to-Head Comparison: E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival

You’ve decided on getting a visa for Vietnam – now what’s the process that’s best for your trip? So let’s take it apart together, one baby step at a time, like a seasoned travel guide! Whether you’re flying into Hanoi or flying into Ho Chi Minh City, planning a brief getaway, or a long-term stay in Vietnam, this breakdown will get you the answer you need the most.

Feature

E-Visa

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Entry Mode

Air, land, and sea – 42 official ports across Vietnam

Air only – available only at selected international airports

Nationality Eligibility

All countries (since August 2023 – amazing, right?)

Some nationalities only (based on tour operator’s availability)

Processing Time

3-7 working days (online with the Vietnam Immigration Department)

2-3 working days or 2-4 hours in urgent cases

Cost

$25 (single entry) / $50 (multiple entry) – one-time payment

$25-$50 stamping fee + service fee for approval letter

Convenience

100% online – no queues, no in-person visits

Requires printing approval letter & queuing at the airport

Best For

Tourists on a clear, fixed route

Business travelers, multiple entry, or long stays

When to Choose E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival

Unsure how to go about getting a visa for Vietnam? Not to worry, your eager travel guide is here to break it down so you can pick with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re travelling for pleasure, business, or getting to know your new home in Vietnam, it is considered the best scenario for both types of visa, being applications, and spoiler alert: they both have great advantages according to your situation.

Choose E-Visa If…

Choose Visa on Arrival (VOA) If…

You’re planning a short-term stay with single entry

You need multiple entry within 1-3 months

You’re entering via a land border or sea port, not just by air

You’re flying in and need urgent visa issuance (2-4 hours)

You want to skip the airport lines and avoid dealing with paperwork upon arrival

You’re a business traveler or seeking longer stays (up to 1 year for United States citizens)

You prefer a fully online process through the Vietnam Immigration Department

You need more flexibility and possibly apply for work visas or a work permit in the future

You’re a German citizen or EU national eligible for Vietnam’s e-visa scheme

You come from a country not eligible for the electronic visa e visa

German citizen

German citizen (Source: dailysabah)

Real Traveler Tips: Avoiding Pitfalls When Getting a Visa for Vietnam

Check your passport validity!

You’ll need your passport to have at least 6 months left when you arrive. This is a firm rule by the Vietnamese authorities – that’s right, even if you have a visa in hand, no valid passport, no coming in and out of Vietnam smoothly!

Match your entry port with your visa type

If you are traveling on the e visa (electronic visa), you must arrive at the exact port you mentioned while applying for it. This isn’t flexible. Sorry, but if you’ve landed in Ho Chi Minh City on an e-visa for the city of Da Nang, you’re out of luck – even if you have a valid e-visa in your hand!

 Avoid fake Visa on Arrival websites

All websites are not equal. Some unscrupulous players offer fast-track services and then overcharge or disappear altogether. Keep to well-known, government-sanctioned agencies or go through the Vietnam Immigration Department yourself for an e-visa. If you’re ever in doubt, simply call the Vietnamese embassy or consulate closest to where you live.

Triple-check your application details

Any errors on your visa application a wrong name, passport number, or dates, are unfixable after the fact. Particularly for electronic visaholding e visa holders, one little typo can send them back to the beginning (and a repeat payment process). Check over every field before you click submit!

Triple-check

Triple-check (Source: vneconomy)

Special Cases and Frequently Asked Questions about Getting a Visa for Vietnam

Which is better, E-Visa or Visa on Arrival?

It’s up to you and how you like to travel. If you are going for a short stay for less than 6 months, plan to enter the country by air/on sea/land, and like to get the job done virtually, e e-visa is your pick. But if you’re a United States citizen, require multiple entry, or are traveling for business or in an emergency, a visa on arrival may end up being the better fit.

Is it better to get a Visa on Arrival in Vietnam?

In some cases, for lots of people flying to certain international airports, for those requiring a fast turnaround or for those needing long duration visas such as work or residence visas in Vietnam, not only is visa on arrival still an option, it’s also a necessary option. But it’s available only for air, and remember that it requires a pre-approved letter. Oh, and get ready to line up at the airport!

Is an E-Visa enough to enter Vietnam?

Yes! Vietnam’s immigration department lets citizens from all countries in (as of August 2023) on an e-visa. Just make sure your information matches exactly, and the entry port matches what’s on your visa. And naturally, your passport has to be valid for 6 months.

If you are German and want to know if there is an e-visa for you, the answer is YES! Do Germans need a visa for Vietnam if I am from Germany? Absolutely, and here’s how you can get one fast and easy: Do Germans need a visa for Vietnam?

How fast can you get a Vietnam E-Visa?

The standard delivery turnaround time is 3-5 working days, although it can be 7-10 working days in exceptional circumstances. You can do it quicker, but if you’re in a hurry, you might want to reach out to the Vietnamese embassy or work with a reputable service to quicken it along. And for those who need it yesterday, there’s a concept called visa on arrival, with some available as quickly as 2 hours.

Conclusion

Deciding between an e-visa and a visa on arrival ultimately depends on how you want to explore Vietnam. For those on a brief holiday, traveling by land or on a cruise, an e visa, which is an electronic visa for Saudi Arabia, is the fastest and most feasible option. But for those who are considering multiple entry, extended business trips, or require a last-minute solution, a visa on arrival could be the way to go. Have the same question: do Germans need a visa for Vietnam? For sure and the process of getting the e-visa should be smooth and stress-free for most. Whether you’re traveling to Vietnam to conduct business or you are taking one of our renowned Vietnam Package Tours, never has the process of obtaining a getting a visa for Vietnam been more traveler-friendly!

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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