Planning a trip to Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, or the buzzing streets of Hanoi? Good news for Indian travellers: the Vietnam e-visa for Indians is now one of the easiest visas to get anywhere in Southeast Asia. There is no embassy visit, no agent queue, and no paperwork by courier. You apply online, pay a small fee, and receive your approved visa by email, usually within 3 to 5 working days. In 2026, Indian passport holders can get a 90-day e-visa with single or multiple entry, valid at 83 international ports across Vietnam. This guide walks you through everything: who needs a visa, the exact fees, the full documents checklist, the step-by-step application, processing times, common rejection reasons, and proven tips to get approved the first time.
Vietnam has quickly become one of the most loved destinations for Indian tourists thanks to its affordable prices, stunning coastline, world-class food, and direct flights from major Indian cities. With the e-visa system fully streamlined for 2026, the visa is no longer the stressful part of the trip. Let us break it down clearly.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Indian citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam for any purpose, including tourism. Vietnam does not currently offer visa-free entry to ordinary Indian passport holders. However, the good news is that you do not need to visit the Vietnamese embassy. The official e-visa system at evisa.gov.vn lets you apply entirely online from anywhere in India.
The e-visa is the route the vast majority of Indian tourists use. It is government-issued, accepted at airports, seaports, and major land borders, and it covers stays of up to 90 days. Whether you are flying into Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang, or Phu Quoc, the e-visa is valid as long as you select the correct port of entry.
Types of Vietnam Visa for Indians
There are three main ways an Indian traveller can enter Vietnam in 2026:
- E-visa (recommended): A fully online visa valid for up to 90 days, available as single entry or multiple entry. Best for tourists, business visitors, and most travellers.
- Visa on arrival (VOA): Requires a pre-approval letter arranged through a travel agent before you fly. You then collect the physical visa stamp at the airport. Useful for last-minute or urgent travel, but it involves agency fees and only works at international airports, not land borders.
- Embassy / sticker visa: The traditional route through the Vietnamese embassy in New Delhi. Slower and more paperwork-heavy; mostly used for long-term work, study, or specific business categories.
For a normal holiday, the e-visa is the simplest and cheapest option, which is why we focus on it below.
Vietnam E-Visa Fees for Indians (2026)
The official government fee is paid online during the application and is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. Here is the current fee structure:
| Visa Type | Validity | Government Fee | Approx. in INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa (Single Entry) | Up to 90 days | USD 25 | ~₹2,100 |
| E-visa (Multiple Entry) | Up to 90 days | USD 50 | ~₹4,200 |
| Visa on Arrival (approval letter) | Varies | Agent fee + USD 25 stamping | ~₹3,500+ |
Be careful of third-party websites that charge inflated “service fees” of USD 40 to USD 90. The official portal charges only USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple). Apply directly on the government site to avoid overpaying. The fee is the same whether you apply yourself or through an agent, so the agent markup is pure margin.
Documents Required for Vietnam E-Visa (Checklist)
The e-visa application is light on paperwork. Keep these ready before you start:
- ✅ Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of arrival, with at least 2 blank pages.
- ✅ Scan of your passport bio page (the page with your photo and details) — clear, full-page, in JPG format, under 2 MB.
- ✅ A passport-style portrait photo — white background, no glasses, face clearly visible, taken within the last 6 months, JPG format under 1 MB.
- ✅ A valid email address where your approved e-visa will be delivered.
- ✅ A debit/credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or PayPal to pay the fee online.
- ✅ Your travel details — intended date of entry, exit, and the port of entry (airport, seaport, or land border).
Your personal details — name spelling, passport number, and date of birth — must match your passport exactly. Even a single typo is one of the most common reasons for rejection. If your passport shows only a given name and no surname (common on some Indian passports), follow the portal instructions carefully for how to enter the name.
How to Apply for Vietnam E-Visa Step by Step
- Go to the official portal: Visit evisa.gov.vn and select “Apply for an e-visa.” Avoid lookalike third-party sites that copy the government design.
- Upload your documents: Add the scan of your passport bio page and your portrait photo in the required format and size.
- Fill in your details: Enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your passport, along with your trip dates and your chosen port of entry.
- Choose single or multiple entry: Pick single entry (USD 25) if you are visiting once, or multiple entry (USD 50) if you plan to leave and re-enter Vietnam (for example, a side trip to Cambodia or Laos).
- Pay the fee online: Use your card or PayPal. Save the payment confirmation and your registration code.
- Track your application: Use the registration code and your email to check status on the portal.
- Download and print: Once approved, you will receive the e-visa by email. Print a colour copy to show at immigration on arrival, and keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival vs E-Visa
Many Indian travellers confuse these two. Here is the key difference: the e-visa is issued by the government before you fly, while the visa on arrival requires a pre-approval letter from a travel agency and is stamped at the airport. For most tourists, the e-visa wins on price, simplicity, and the fact that it works at land and sea borders too. Choose visa on arrival only if you need a last-minute entry and cannot wait for e-visa processing. Note that VOA does not work if you are crossing into Vietnam by land from Cambodia or Laos — only the e-visa covers land borders.
Vietnam E-Visa Processing Time
The official processing time is around 3 working days, and most Indian applicants receive approval within 3 to 5 working days. During peak periods — Tet (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year), and Indian summer and Diwali holiday rushes — it can stretch to 7 to 10 days. To be safe, apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date. Never book non-refundable flights before your visa is approved. If you are in a genuine hurry, some agents offer expedited handling in 1 to 2 working days for an extra fee, but the safest plan is simply to apply early.
Common Vietnam Visa Rejection Reasons for Indians
Vietnam e-visa rejection is uncommon, but it does happen. The usual causes are:
- Typos and mismatched details — name, passport number, or date of birth not matching the passport exactly.
- Passport validity under 6 months from your arrival date.
- Poor-quality or non-compliant photos — glasses, shadows, coloured background, or wrong file size.
- Wrong port of entry — applying for one entry point but arriving at a different one.
- Suspicious travel patterns — multiple short, repeated visits inconsistent with the stated purpose.
- Incomplete application — missing fields or an unclear passport scan.
The good news: Vietnam allows you to reapply after rejection once you fix the issue. The original fee, however, is not refunded, so it pays to get it right the first time.
Tips to Get Your Vietnam E-Visa Approved
- Double-check every field against your passport before paying.
- Use a high-resolution, full-colour scan of your bio page — no glare, all four corners visible.
- Take a fresh portrait photo against a plain white wall in good light.
- Select the exact port of entry you will actually use.
- Apply only on evisa.gov.vn to avoid scams and inflated fees.
- Apply 2 to 3 weeks ahead to absorb any peak-season delays.
- Keep both a printed and a digital copy of the approved e-visa for immigration.
After You Get Your Vietnam E-Visa: Arrival Tips
Once your visa is approved, a little preparation makes your arrival smooth. At immigration, present your printed e-visa along with your passport. Keep your return ticket and hotel booking handy in case an officer asks. The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND); it is easy to withdraw from ATMs or exchange at the airport, though rates in the city are usually better. A local or eSIM tourist data pack is cheap and widely available, and it makes navigating ride-hailing apps like Grab effortless. Vietnam is generally very affordable for Indian travellers, with great street food, comfortable budget stays, and inexpensive domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Can You Extend a Vietnam E-Visa?
The 90-day e-visa is generous, but if you need to stay longer, extensions are handled inside Vietnam through immigration authorities or a local agency, and they are not guaranteed. If you expect a long stay, choose the multiple-entry e-visa from the start or plan a quick border hop. Overstaying your visa leads to fines at departure and possible entry trouble in future, so always track your permitted exit date carefully.
Heading to other parts of Southeast Asia too? See our guides on the Thailand visa for Indians, Singapore visa for Indians, and Malaysia visa for Indians to plan a multi-country trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is the Vietnam e-visa fee for Indians in 2026?
The official government fee is USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry (roughly ₹2,100 and ₹4,200). The fee is paid online and is non-refundable.
How long does the Vietnam e-visa take to process for Indians?
Most applications are approved within 3 to 5 working days. During peak holiday seasons it can take up to 7 to 10 days, so apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
How long can Indians stay in Vietnam on an e-visa?
The Vietnam e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and is available as single or multiple entry.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam in 2026?
Yes. Indian citizens need a visa for Vietnam. The easiest option is the online e-visa; there is no visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders.
Can I apply for a Vietnam e-visa without an agent?
Absolutely. The e-visa is designed for self-application on the official portal evisa.gov.vn. You do not need an agent, which also saves you service fees.
What photo is required for the Vietnam e-visa?
A recent passport-style portrait with a white background, no glasses, face clearly visible, in JPG format under about 1 MB. You also upload a clear scan of your passport bio page.
What happens if my Vietnam e-visa is rejected?
You can reapply once you correct the issue (usually a typo, photo problem, or short passport validity). Note that the original fee is non-refundable.
Ready to Apply for Your Vietnam E-Visa?
Skip the confusion and the inflated agent fees. The team at VisaForTrip helps Indian travellers apply correctly the first time, with document checks that cut down rejection risk. Apply Now to get started, or talk to a visa expert on WhatsApp for personalised help with your Vietnam trip.
Best Time for Indians to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam is a long, narrow country with three distinct climate zones, so timing matters. For most Indian travellers, the sweet spot is February to April and September to November, when the weather is pleasant across the north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay) and the centre (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An). If you are chasing beaches in the south around Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, the dry season from December to April is ideal. Because the e-visa allows up to 90 days, you have plenty of room to combine the north, centre, and south in one trip. Just remember to apply for your e-visa about two to three weeks before departure, especially if your travel overlaps with Tet, when government offices slow down and processing queues grow.
With direct and one-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other Indian cities, plus a visa you can secure from your living room, Vietnam is one of the most rewarding and budget-friendly international trips an Indian passport holder can plan in 2026.