Vietnam Visa for India Citizens (2026): The E-Visa Process, Costs, and Realities

Indian citizens have zero visa-free entry to Vietnam. The 90-day e-visa is your primary tool, but its simplicity masks specific rules you must get right.

Visa-Free Entry & Required Visas

No visa-free access exists. You must obtain a visa before arrival. The government’s e-visa system, found at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, is the standard for tourism and short business visits. It’s a single-entry or multiple-entry document linked electronically to your passport. The old “visa on arrival” with a pre-approval letter, often sold by third-party agencies, still functions but requires queueing at immigration desks in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi—a chaotic process I avoid.

The E-Visa Application: A Walkthrough

You apply directly on the official Immigration Department portal. The form is straightforward but exacting. You’ll need your passport details, entry/exit dates, and entry point—like Da Nang International Airport or Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. You must list your intended accommodation; I use the address of my first booked hotel. A common error is selecting the wrong port of entry; you can only enter at the one you specify. The site accepts payment by international credit or debit card. You’ll receive a registration code to check status. Approval typically takes three working days, but apply at least a week before travel. The system can glitch; have all documents ready in digital format before starting.

Documents & Requirements

You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, with two blank pages. The passport scan must be a full-page, color image in JPG format under 1MB. You also need a recent passport-style portrait photo against a white background, no glasses. The digital requirements are strict—cropping or poor lighting can cause rejection. You must declare all planned entry and exit points. If flying into Da Nang but departing from Hanoi, you must list both. Overland crossings, like at Lao Bao, are also e-visa eligible if declared.

Typical Processing Times & Costs

Processing is officially three working days. In practice, I’ve seen approvals in 48 hours and, rarely, up to five days. Never assume instant processing. The fee is non-refundable. Prices are fixed in USD.

Visa Type	Cost (USD)	Max Stay	Entries
E-Visa	$25	90 days	Single
E-Visa	$50	90 days	Multiple

You pay this fee directly to the immigration website. Any agency charging significantly more is adding a service fee for handling the same form. The multiple-entry e-visa is valuable if you plan side trips to Thailand or Cambodia.

Extending Your Stay

Extending an e-visa is not a simple online renewal. You must exit Vietnam. The most common run is a “visa run”: a short flight to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore, and re-entry on a new e-visa. In-country extensions are technically possible only for certain visa types obtained via embassies, not e-visas, and require a local sponsor or agency—a murky, expensive process. I budget for an exit flight if my plans are uncertain.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options

Vietnam does not have a digital nomad visa. Many remote workers enter on a one-year business visa sponsored by a local company, but this requires legitimate employment with a Vietnamese entity. The three-month multiple-entry e-visa is a stopgap, but consecutive use flags you with immigration. Some enroll in long-term language or martial arts courses to secure student visas. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa is a legal gray area; immigration officials can deny entry if they suspect you’re working, though enforcement is inconsistent. I never mention remote work at immigration.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

The biggest error is mistyping passport details. Double-check every digit against your physical passport. The second is uploading a substandard photo or passport scan—follow the dimension rules exactly. A third pitfall is assuming the e-visa covers all border crossings; some remote land borders are not yet integrated. Always check the official list of ports on the application site. Finally, print two copies of your approved e-visa PDF. You’ll hand one to immigration upon arrival, and you need a backup. I keep a digital copy on my phone. Internet connectivity at some smaller airports can be poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can Indians stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?

The maximum stay is 90 days per entry. The clock starts the day after you enter. Overstaying results in heavy fines and potential bans.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from India?

Yes. Da Nang International Airport is an approved entry point for the e-visa. You must select “Da Nang” as your port of entry on the application.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa from within Vietnam?

No. E-visas cannot be extended internally. You must leave the country and apply for a new one to return.

What’s the cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Indian citizens?

It’s $25 for a single-entry, 90-day e-visa. The multiple-entry version is $50. You pay this directly to the government website.

Which documents do I need for a Vietnamese e-visa application?

You need a passport with six months’ validity, a clear color scan of the passport bio page, and a digital passport-style photo with a white background. Have these files ready before applying.

Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist e-visa?

Legally, no. The e-visa is for tourism and business visits (like meetings). Remote work is not authorized. While common, it carries risk of entry denial or future visa complications.

Is the e-visa process reliable for Indian passport holders?

Yes, the official system is reliable if you follow instructions precisely. Use only the government site. Have a backup plan and apply well in advance of your flight.

What if my e-visa application is rejected?

Rejections are rare if documents are correct. If rejected, you can reapply immediately, correcting the error. For urgent travel, contact the Vietnamese embassy in Delhi or consulate in Mumbai for a traditional sticker visa.

Disclaimer: Visa regulations change. This guide reflects the process as of early 2026. Always verify requirements directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or a Vietnamese diplomatic mission before finalizing travel plans.