Vietnam Visa for Ireland Citizens (2026): The Complete Guide

Ireland is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list, and the Schengen exemption doesn’t apply to you. The single-entry, 90-day e-visa is your simplest and cheapest entry ticket.

Visa-Free Entry & Required Visas

You need a visa. Full stop. I’ve met Irish travelers at Da Nang’s airport who were shocked by this, assuming the 15-day visa-free rule for some European nations applied to them. It does not. The only way an Irish citizen enters Vietnam is with a visa obtained in advance. The 90-day e-visa, introduced in 2023, is the game-changer. It’s valid for air, land, and sea entry at most major ports, from Noi Bai in Hanoi to the land border with Cambodia at Moc Bai.

The E-Visa Application: A Walkthrough

You apply online at the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. I’ve done this twice from my apartment in An Thượng. The form is straightforward but unforgiving of errors. You’ll need a digital passport photo (white background, no glasses) and a scanned copy of your passport’s data page. The trick is in the details: your entry/exit dates are fixed, and your declared entry port is mandatory. If you land in Ho Chi Minh City but put Da Nang, you’ll be denied boarding.

The downside is the website’s stability. It can be slow, and payment sometimes fails. Use a major credit card. You’ll get a registration code to track your application. Print the PDF visa approval letter they email you. You’ll show it at the visa-on-arrival counter (for airports) or at the border. They’ll stamp your passport there.

Documents & Requirements

Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from your entry date and two blank pages. The digital photo requirements are strict—I used a photo booth in a mall in Quận 1 to get it right the first time. The scanned passport page must be clear, with all four corners visible.

You must declare a specific point of entry and exit. If your plans are fluid, base yourself at a major international airport like Tan Son Nhat or Da Nang. Changing your entry port after approval is impossible. You’ll also declare a temporary address in Vietnam—use your first hotel’s details.

Typical Processing Times & Costs

The government states 3 working days. In my experience, it’s often faster—I’ve received mine in 48 hours. But during holiday periods or government meetings, it can stretch to a full week. Never apply last minute.

The cost is a non-negotiable $25 USD, paid online. That’s it. Anyone charging more is a third-party agent. While agents can be useful if you’re nervous, the official process is simple enough to handle directly.

Visa Type	Cost (USD)	Max Stay	Processing Time	Entry Type
E-Visa	$25	90 days	~3 days	Single
1-Year Business Visa	~$400-$600	1 year	5-10 days	Multiple
Visa Extension (in-country)	~$100-$200	Varies	5-7 days	N/A

Extending Your Stay

Your 90-day e-visa is single-entry and non-extendable. When it expires, you must leave. The common run is a cheap flight to Bangkok or Singapore for a few days and then applying for a new e-visa to re-enter. I’ve done this. It works, but immigration officers may ask about your frequent travel patterns.

For a proper extension, you’d need to have entered on a different type of visa, like a tourist visa obtained via an embassy. Then, local travel agencies in places like Da Nang’s Mỹ An district can process an extension for a fee, but it’s bureaucratic and not guaranteed. Overstaying your visa results in heavy fines and a potential ban.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options

There is no official digital nomad visa. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa is a legal gray area. Enforcement is sporadic but real; I know of people asked for proof of employment at immigration. The common solution for long-term stays is the one-year business visa, which requires a sponsoring company in Vietnam. Many expats use reputable agent services to arrange this, but it’s a significant cost and requires periodic border runs.

Another path is the temporary residence card if you marry a Vietnamese national or secure legitimate employment with a local company that handles your work permit. This is a lengthy, paperwork-heavy process.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

The biggest mistake is a data entry error on the e-visa application. Triple-check your passport number, dates, and entry port. A single digit off means your visa is invalid. Second is not printing the approval letter. You need a physical copy. Third is assuming you can exit from a different border. If your visa says “Exit: Moc Bai Border Gate,” you must use that one.

Be wary of unofficial websites that mimic the government portal. They overcharge and sometimes don’t deliver. Only use the official .gov.vn address. Also, your 90 days start the day you enter, not the day you apply. Plan your entry date wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can stay for up to 90 consecutive days. The e-visa is single-entry, so if you leave for a weekend in Laos, you cannot re-enter on the same visa.

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

Yes. You need a visa to enter Vietnam, regardless of whether you land in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang International Airport.

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

No. The 90-day e-visa is non-extendable. You must exit the country before it expires. To return, you must apply for a new visa.

What is the exact cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Irish citizens?

The official fee is $25 USD. This is paid online through the Immigration Department’s portal. Any other fee is from a third-party agent.

Which documents do I need to apply for the e-visa?

You need a passport valid for over six months, a digital passport-style photo, and a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page. You’ll also need your entry/exit dates and port details.

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

Technically, no. The e-visa is for tourism and business visits only. While many do it, you have no legal right to work, and it could complicate future visa applications or lead to fines if audited.

Is the e-visa process reliable, or should I use an agent?

The official process is reliable if you follow instructions carefully. I’ve done it myself. Use an agent only if you’re uncomfortable with the website or need a more complex visa.

What happens if I overstay my Vietnam visa?

You will be fined approximately $25-50 per day of overstay at the airport when you leave. Significant overstays can result in detention, deportation, and being banned from re-entering for a period of time.

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Disclaimer: Visa regulations change. This guide is based on 2025-2026 rules and my personal experience. Always verify the latest requirements directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or the Vietnamese Embassy in Dublin before finalizing travel plans.