Last updated: November 6, 2026
Two dates on your e-visa decide when you can land and when you must be gone. Most date problems come from a simple misunderstanding: the e-visa doesn't start counting when you arrive. This guide shows which dates to enter, how the days are counted, and what to do when your flight changes.
⚡ At a glance | Vietnam e-visa dates |
|---|---|
Start date | The first day you can enter Vietnam |
End date | The last day of validity; leave by this date |
Arrive after the start date? | ✅ Yes, any day before the e-visa ends |
Arrive before the start date? | ❌ No, the e-visa isn't valid yet |
Does a late arrival extend the end date? | ❌ No, the dates are fixed |
Longest validity | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
What do the entry and exit dates on a Vietnam e-visa mean?
They mark the start and end of the period when your e-visa is valid. You choose them on the application form, and the approved PDF shows the dates that were granted. Always read the PDF, because those printed dates are the ones that count at the border.
📅 Date | What it means | What it doesn't mean |
|---|---|---|
Entry (start) date | First day you may enter | The day you must arrive |
Exit (end) date | Last day the e-visa is valid | The day you must leave; you can go earlier |
Date you actually land | The day your stay begins | A new start for the e-visa's dates |
The dates on your e-visa also have to fit your passport. The e-visa should end at least 30 days before the passport expires, and our Vietnam passport validity guide explains the 6-month rule travelers should plan around.
What entry date should I put on the form?
Use the date you land in Vietnam, or a day or two earlier if your flight could move. Don't use the date you leave home. Your booking confirmation shows the local arrival date, so copy it from there rather than working it out yourself.
✈️ Your trip | Date to base it on | Example |
|---|---|---|
Short flight from Asia | Vietnam landing date, usually the same day | Leave Bangkok Monday, land Monday |
Long-haul from the US via Asia | Vietnam landing date, often 1–2 calendar days later | Leave New York Friday night, land Sunday |
Overnight flight from Australia or Europe | Vietnam landing date, usually the next day | Leave Wednesday evening, land Thursday |
Arriving overland | The day you reach the Vietnamese gate | Bus from Phnom Penh reaches Moc Bai on Tuesday |
Cruise | The first day the ship calls at a port in Vietnam | Ship reaches Hon Gai on December 9 |
The entry port matters as much as the date. It has to be a gate on the official list, and cruise passengers need a seaport rather than the nearest airport. Check the list in Vietnam e-visa ports of entry before you submit.
What exit date should I choose?
Choose a date on or after your planned departure, and leave yourself some margin. The exit date on the form doesn't tie you to one flight. You can leave earlier without any paperwork, but you can't stay past it. You don't have to leave from your entry port either: the official portal says you may exit through any designated international gate.
Be careful with flights just after midnight. If your flight leaves at 00:05 on July 31, that is a July 31 departure on your ticket, and we found no published rule that protects you if your e-visa ended on July 30. Treat the flight date as your exit date and set the end date at least one day later.
How are the days counted?
Count from the start date printed on the e-visa, not from your arrival. The examples below count both the arrival day and the last valid day. They use an e-visa valid from July 1 to July 30.
🛬 You arrive | Days you can stay | Result |
|---|---|---|
June 30 | ➖ None | ❌ Too early; the e-visa isn't valid yet |
July 1 | 30 days | ✅ Full period |
July 10 | 21 days | ✅ Allowed; the end date stays July 30 |
July 25 | 6 days | ✅ Allowed; the end date stays July 30 |
July 31 | ➖ None | ❌ Too late; the e-visa has ended |
Your e-visa doesn't wait for you. The days keep running from the start date, whether you've landed or not.
Multiple-entry e-visas work the same way. Leaving and coming back doesn't reset the dates, and a single-entry e-visa ends once you leave Vietnam, even if days remain. See our Vietnam multiple entry visa guide for side trips.
Why can dates like 05/07 cause problems?
Vietnamese dates are usually written day first, so 05/07/2026 normally means July 5, not May 7. Travelers used to month-first dates can misread this on the approved PDF, or pick the wrong day on the form. Check the date picker before you submit, then read the month on your e-visa as soon as it arrives.
🔢 Written as | Day-first reading | Month-first reading |
|---|---|---|
05/07/2026 | ✅ July 5, 2026 | ❌ May 7, 2026 |
12/03/2026 | ✅ March 12, 2026 | ❌ December 3, 2026 |
01/09/2026 | ✅ September 1, 2026 | ❌ January 9, 2026 |
Other mistakes on the form can cause similar trouble. Our list of common Vietnam e-visa mistakes covers the ones worth checking before you pay.
What if my flight changes after approval?
A later flight is usually fine, but an earlier one is a problem. What you need to do depends on where the new flight falls against your printed dates.
🔄 What changed | Is your e-visa still good? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
You now land later, inside the dates | ✅ Yes | Keep the e-visa; your stay is shorter |
You now land earlier than the start date | ❌ No | Move the flight or get a new e-visa |
You now land after the end date | ❌ No | Get a new e-visa with correct dates |
You'll leave after the end date | ⚠️ Only if you leave on time | Move the flight, or sort out new dates before you travel |
The dates on the PDF are wrong | ⚠️ Fix this first | Ask for a correction review, or apply again |
You can't edit an approved e-visa yourself. Our guide on how to correct a mistake on your Vietnam e-visa explains the options, and US travelers can see what can be fixed after submission.
Not sure if your dates still work with your new flight? Send us your e-visa dates and your booking and we'll check them.
What should I check at the border?
Show your e-visa to the officer and check the stamp in your passport before you walk away. The stamp shows how long you may stay. The official FAQ describes travelers who forgot to show their e-visa and were admitted under visa exemption, which gave them a different stay. It tells travelers to check the stamp and tell the officer right away if something is wrong.
What happens if I stay past the end date?
Staying even one day past your permitted stay is an overstay, and it carries a fine. Fines are set by Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, in force since December 15, 2025. The amounts below come from Vietnamese press reports and an unofficial English text of Article 21.
⏰ Overstay | Fine (VND) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
Under 16 days | 500,000 – 2,000,000 | ≈ 19 – 76 |
16 to under 30 days | 5,000,000 – 10,000,000 | ≈ 190 – 380 |
30 to under 60 days | 10,000,000 – 15,000,000 | ≈ 380 – 570 |
60 days or more | 15,000,000 – 40,000,000, rising by band | ≈ 570 – 1,520 |
Reports say overstays of 16 days or more can also lead to deportation, depending on the case. Deportation procedures are set by Decree 59/2026/ND-CP, in force since April 1, 2026. USD figures are rounded.
A new e-visa isn't a quick fix once you're in the country. The official portal says e-visas are for people entering Vietnam, not those already there, so you would apply after you leave. Our Vietnam visa extension guide covers what is possible if you need more time.
What no agency can honestly promise
Vietnam's Immigration Department decides every application and every change, so no agency can guarantee that a correction will be accepted or finished before your flight. No agency can promise that an officer will let you in a day early, or that an overstay will be forgiven. Airlines make their own checks too. An honest service will check your dates, tell you the real options and give you a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter Vietnam before my e-visa start date?
No. The e-visa isn't valid until its start date, so move your flight or get a new e-visa with an earlier date.
Can I arrive after the entry date on my e-visa?
Yes, you can enter on any day within the validity period. The end date stays the same, so your stay is shorter.
Do I have to leave on the exit date I entered?
No. You can leave on any day up to the end date, with no form or fee. You can't stay past it.
Does a 30-day e-visa start when I land?
No. It runs between the dates printed on it. An e-visa valid July 1 to July 30 still ends on July 30 if you land on July 10.
Can I change the dates on an approved e-visa?
Not by yourself. Ask for a correction review or apply again, and allow time for processing. See our guide to Vietnam e-visa processing time.
How far ahead can I apply?
The official portal says you can apply up to 1 year before your planned entry. Most travelers only need 2–3 weeks.
Related guides: Vietnam e-visa ports of entry · Correct a Vietnam e-visa mistake · Vietnam passport validity · Vietnam visa extension · Urgent Vietnam visa service