Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Vietnam E-Visa

The Vietnam E-Visa is designed to be a simple and fast way to get your travel permit. However, even small mistakes during the online application can lead to frustrating delays or even outright rejection, potentially jeopardizing your trip. Don’t let easily avoidable errors stand between you and your Vietnamese adventure!

At VietnamVisaEasy.com, we’ve helped thousands of travelers successfully navigate the process. Based on our experience, here are the top 5 most common mistakes people make when applying for a Vietnam e-visa – and more importantly, how you can avoid them.

Incorrect or Poor-Quality Photo & Passport Scan 

This is arguably the most frequent reason for e-visa delays or denials. The system requires specific image standards.

Common Errors:

• Passport Photo:

  • Blurry, low-resolution, or too dark/bright.

  • Background is not plain white or light-colored.

  • Wearing glasses (especially tinted ones), hats, or head coverings (unless for religious reasons, but face must be fully visible).

  • Photo is old or doesn’t look like you currently.

  • Incorrect digital dimensions or file size.

• Passport Scan:

  • Scan is blurry, unreadable, or has glare obscuring details.

  • The entire information page (with photo, details, and MRZ lines) is not fully visible (corners cut off).

  • Using a photo of the passport instead of a proper scan.

How to Avoid:

• ✅ Use a recent, clear passport-style photo taken against a plain white background. 

• ✅ Ensure your face is clearly visible, looking straight, with a neutral expression.

• ✅ Upload high-resolution scans (or clear photos) of your passport page in .jpg format (usually).

• ✅ Make sure the entire passport page, including all text and the bottom code lines, is fully captured and legible.

• ✅ Check file size requirements (usually under 2MB).

Mistake #2: Mismatched Personal & Passport Information

Even minor typos can cause big problems because the e-visa information must match your passport exactly.

Common Errors:

• Name: Spelling errors, missing middle names, or not entering the full name precisely as it appears in the passport’s MRZ (Machine Readable Zone).

• Passport Number: Typing errors (e.g., confusing ‘O’ and ‘0’, ‘I’ and ‘1’).

• Date of Birth / Expiry Date: Incorrect dates or wrong format (DD/MM/YYYY is standard).

• Nationality: Selecting the wrong country.

How to Avoid:

• ✅ Triple-check every single detail against your physical passport before submitting.

• ✅ Pay close attention to the name format required by the application form (often asking for surname and given names separately).

• ✅ Enter dates carefully using the correct DD/MM/YYYY format.

 

Mistake #3: Selecting the Wrong Entry Port or Travel Dates

Your approved e-visa is only valid for the specific entry and exit ports and the date range you selected during the application.

Common Errors:

• Choosing an airport (e.g., Hanoi – HAN) but planning to arrive at a different one (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City – SGN).

• Selecting a land border crossing but arriving by air.

• Entering incorrect planned entry or exit dates that don’t align with your flights or the visa validity period you need.

How to Avoid:

• ✅ Finalize your travel itinerary (flights, border crossings) before starting the e-visa application.

• ✅ Carefully select the exact entry and exit ports from the dropdown list. 

• ✅ Ensure your intended entry date is on or after the start date of the visa validity you request.

• ✅ Remember the visa is valid from the start date, not just your arrival date.

 

Mistake #4: Applying Too Close to Your Travel Date

While the process is online, it’s not instant. Standard processing takes time.

Common Error:

• Assuming approval is immediate and applying only 1-2 days before the flight.

How to Avoid:

• ✅ Apply at least 7-10 working days before your intended travel date for standard processing.

• ✅ Remember processing excludes weekends and Vietnamese public holidays. Check the calendar!

• ✅ If you’re short on time, use an urgent or emergency service. VietnamVisaEasy.com offers processing in as little as 4-8 hours. 👉 Get Urgent E-Visa Here!

 

Mistake #5: Insufficient Passport Validity

This is a fundamental requirement often overlooked.

Common Error:

• Applying with a passport that has less than 6 months validity remaining from the date you plan to enter Vietnam.

How to Avoid:

• ✅ Check your passport’s expiry date before booking anything.

• ✅ If your passport is close to expiring, renew it first, then apply for the e-visa with the new passport details. You cannot travel on the old passport if you apply with the new one.

Quick Summary: Avoid These Pitfalls!

• ✔️ Use high-quality, compliant photos and scans.

• ✔️ Double-check all names, numbers, and dates against your passport.

• ✔️ Select the correct entry/exit ports and dates.

• ✔️ Apply well in advance or use an urgent service.

• ✔️ Ensure your passport has 6+ months validity.

Getting your Vietnam e-visa application right the first time saves you stress, time, and potentially money. By being aware of these common mistakes and carefully following the requirements, you significantly increase your chances of a smooth and quick approval. Make your visa process truly easy!

Want to ensure your application is error-free?

Let the experts at VietnamVisaEasy.com help! We review your documents and details before submission and offer guaranteed support.

👉 Apply for Your Vietnam E-Visa with Confidence!