Vietnam Visa for Thailand Citizens (2026): Complete Guide

As a Thai citizen, you have a significant advantage entering Vietnam: 30 days visa-free. I’ve watched friends from Bangkok land in Da Nang with just a passport, breezing through immigration while others queue with paperwork. But that 30-day stamp is a hard limit, and overstaying it is the single most expensive mistake you can make here. This guide cuts through the noise, based on two years of navigating the system from Da Nang and helping other expats do the same.

Overview: Visa-Free vs. Everything Else

Thailand is part of an ASEAN bilateral agreement with Vietnam, granting you 30 days of visa-free entry. This is your best and simplest option for short trips. Need longer than 30 days, or planning multiple exits and re-entries? You must get a visa in advance. Vietnam does not issue visas on arrival at the airport without a pre-arranged approval letter. The official e-visa portal, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, is your primary tool. Forget about a dedicated digital nomad visa; it doesn’t exist. Long-term stays require either business visas, which are complex to sponsor, or the dance of visa runs.

Visa-Free Entry: The 30-Day Rule

Walk up to immigration at Da Nang (DAD), Noi Bai (HAN), or Tan Son Nhat (SGN) with a Thai passport valid for at least six months, and you’ll get a 30-day stamp. It’s that straightforward. I use this for quick hops to Bangkok. The caveat is the clock: the 30 days start the day you enter. It is a single, non-extendable period. You cannot convert this visa-free stamp into a longer-term visa inside Vietnam. When the 30 days are up, you must leave. The rule is strictly enforced; overstay fines start at about $25 per day. To return immediately, you’d need to secure a proper e-visa or business visa first.

The E-Visa: Your Tool for Longer Stays

For stays up to 90 days or for multiple entries, the e-visa is your only realistic DIY option. It’s a single-entry or multiple-entry visa delivered as a PDF. I’ve used it to host Thai friends for two-month stays. You apply online at the official government site, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The cost is a flat $25 for single-entry, $50 for multiple-entry. The processing officially takes 3 working days, but I’ve seen it take 5. You must enter Vietnam through one of the designated international ports listed on the application—this includes major airports and land borders like Moc Bai. The biggest mistake is applying too late; give it at least a week before your trip.

Documents & Requirements

The requirements are minimal but non-negotiable. You need a Thai passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages. You’ll need a digital passport photo (white background, no glasses) and a scanned copy of your passport’s data page. For the application, have your entry/exit date, entry point, and temporary address in Vietnam ready (your first hotel’s address is fine). The photo specs are strict; I’ve seen applications rejected for shadows or incorrect sizing. Use a photo service if you’re unsure. You will list your intended port of entry, but you can exit from any international port.

Typical Processing Times & Costs

Ignore third-party sites that charge $80 for “rush” service. Go directly to the official portal. The government fees are fixed and low.

Visa Type	Cost (USD)	Max Stay	Processing Time
Visa-Free	$0	30 days	On arrival
E-Visa (Single)	$25	90 days	~3 working days
E-Visa (Multiple)	$50	90 days	~3 working days

Payment is made online via the portal. Print two copies of your approved e-visa PDF—one for check-in at your departing airport and one for Vietnamese immigration. They will take it and stamp your passport.

Extending Your Stay

This is where it gets difficult. You cannot extend a 30-day visa-free stamp or a standard e-visa inside Vietnam. To “extend,” you must leave the country and re-enter with a new visa. This is the visa run. From Da Nang, the most common runs are a flight to Bangkok or a cheaper (but longer) bus trip to the Lao border at Lao Bao. You must have a new e-visa or business visa in hand before attempting to re-enter. Border agents keep records. Doing repeated 30-day visa-free entries by air will raise flags eventually. For true long-term stability, you need a sponsored solution.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Visa Options

Let’s be clear: there is no digital nomad visa. Working remotely on a tourist e-visa or visa-free entry is a legal gray area. Immigration doesn’t actively hunt café freelancers, but it’s technically not permitted. For a year or more, your main options are the business visa (DN) or investment visa (DT). The business visa requires a Vietnamese company to sponsor you, a process involving legal paperwork, corporate seals, and monthly social insurance payments. It’s complex, expensive for the sponsor, and not something you can arrange alone. Many expats in An Thượng or Mỹ An use reputable agencies to connect with sponsor companies, costing $500-$800 for a one-year, multiple-entry visa. It’s the price of stability.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Overstaying is the cardinal sin. Set a phone reminder for your exit date. The second pitfall is using a scam website that mimics the official e-visa portal—bookmark the real one. Third, your passport must have two full blank pages, not just scraps of space. I’ve seen travelers denied boarding in Bangkok because of this. Fourth, if you’re on a visa run, your new e-visa must be valid for the date you plan to cross back. Applying from abroad takes the same 3 days. Finally, internet censorship is real here. To reliably access the e-visa portal or any Thai banking site, you’ll need a VPN. I use one daily; our team has a tested guide at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can Thais stay in Vietnam without a visa?

30 days. This is a strict, non-extendable allowance under the ASEAN agreement. You must leave the country when it expires.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from Thailand for a week?

No. Use your 30-day visa-free entry. Just ensure your passport has six months validity and you have an onward or return ticket—airlines often check.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa inside Vietnam?

No. E-visas are non-extendable. To stay longer, you must exit and re-enter with a new visa approved before your return.

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

The government fee is $25 for a 90-day, single-entry e-visa. Multiple-entry is $50. Any site charging significantly more is a third-party agent.

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

You need a digital passport-style photo and a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page. The application is completed entirely online at the official portal.

Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist visa?

Technically, no. Tourist visas (including e-visas and visa-free entry) do not permit work. While enforcement against remote workers is rare, it is a legal risk. Long-term remote workers typically use business visas.

Is the 30-day visa-free entry multiple-entry?

No. It’s a single entry. If you leave Vietnam for a weekend in Laos, you cannot re-enter on the same stamp. You would need an e-visa to return.

What if my e-visa application is rejected?

Rejections are usually due to photo errors or incorrect passport scan. You can reapply immediately, paying the fee again. Factor this potential delay into your plans.

Disclaimer: Visa regulations change. This guide reflects the rules as of early 2026. Always verify requirements directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department or the official e-visa website before finalizing travel plans.