Embassy of Vietnam Visa or e-Visa: Which Should You Use?
By VietnamVisaEasy Visa Team · 2025-08-01 · Updated 2026-11-07
Many travelers still search for the Embassy of Vietnam when they need a visa. Today, for most trips, there is a faster route. This guide explains when an embassy of Vietnam visa makes sense and when the e-visa is the better choice.
Do I need an embassy of Vietnam visa?
Usually not. Since August 2023, citizens of every country can apply for the Vietnam e-visa online. It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and accepted at all main airports and many land and sea borders. You never visit an embassy or send your passport.
How do the two options compare?
The e-visa is faster for almost every short trip.
| E-visa | Embassy visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Online | At an embassy or consulate |
| Passport sent away | No | Often yes |
| Fastest time | 30–60 minutes | Usually several working days |
| Validity | Up to 90 days | Depends on visa type |
| Weekends | Weekend service available | Embassy office hours |
| Best for | Tourism, short business visits | Longer stays, special purposes |
When is an embassy visa still the right choice?
In a few situations.
- You need to stay longer than 90 days on one visa.
- Your trip has a special purpose, such as some work, study or official arrangements.
- A Vietnamese sponsor or employer asks you to apply this way.
- You hold a document type that cannot be used for the e-visa.
For work and business, read the Vietnam business visa guide.
Can the embassy help with a delayed e-visa?
No. E-visas are processed by the Immigration Department in Vietnam, not by embassies abroad. An embassy cannot see or speed up your online file. If your e-visa is slow, use a speed-up with your application code. Read how to speed up a Vietnam visa.
How fast and how much is the e-visa?
From US$50, down to 30–60 minutes for US$215.
| Speed | Normal, 4–6 working days | 2 working days | 1 working day | 5 working hours | 30–60 minutes | Weekend / holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | US$50 | US$100 | US$110 | US$125 | US$215 | US$230 |
Prices include the government fee. See the service fee guide.
How do I apply for the e-visa?
About 5 minutes online. Open the application form, choose your speed, upload your passport photo page and a portrait, enter your arrival date and entry point, and pay. You receive the PDF by email. Step-by-step help is in how to apply for a Vietnam eVisa.
When should I contact an embassy anyway?
For problems that are not about the e-visa itself.
- A lost or stolen passport while abroad (contact your own country's embassy).
- Questions about a past refusal or entry ban.
- Legalising documents for work or marriage in Vietnam.
What does a typical choice look like?
An example. A family planning two weeks in Vietnam considers mailing their passports to an embassy. Instead, they apply online for four e-visas with normal processing for US$200 in total, keep their passports at home, and receive the PDFs within the week.
Who can help me choose?
Message us on WhatsApp with your purpose and dates. If an embassy visa suits you better, we will say so. Official e-visa information is on the Vietnam e-visa portal. Our refund policy covers every e-visa we process.
What documents does an embassy usually ask for?
More than the e-visa. Requirements vary by embassy, but often include:
- Your original passport, which the embassy keeps while processing.
- One or two passport photos in a set size.
- A paper application form.
- Sometimes a letter from a sponsor in Vietnam.
- Payment in the local currency, often at the counter.
The e-visa needs only two images uploaded online. That is why most short-stay travelers now skip the embassy entirely.
Can I use the e-visa if I live outside my home country?
Yes. The e-visa is linked to your passport, not to where you live. Expats in Singapore, Dubai or Seoul apply online exactly like travelers from home, and receive the PDF by email wherever they are.
How do I check my new visa when it arrives?
Compare it with your passport in 2 minutes. Check the full name, passport number, date of birth, the valid-from and valid-to dates, and the entry point. Then search it on the official e-visa search page with your application code. Save the PDF on your phone and keep a printed copy with your passport.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the Embassy of Vietnam for a tourist visa?
Usually not. The e-visa is issued online and accepted at all main airports and many land borders.
Can the embassy speed up my e-visa?
No. E-visas are processed by the Immigration Department in Vietnam. Use a speed-up with your application code instead.
When is an embassy visa better?
For stays beyond 90 days, special purposes such as some work or study arrangements, or when a sponsor asks for it.
How long does an embassy visa take?
It depends on the embassy and usually takes several working days, plus time to send or collect the passport.
Need your visa today?
Urgent options from 30–60 minutes, also on weekends & holidays.
Comments (0)