How to Enter Vietnam in 2025: A Complete Guide for Foreigners

Entry Options for Foreigners

There are a few different ways foreigners can enter Vietnam, depending on nationality and purpose of travel:

• Visa exemption: available to travelers from a number of specific nationalities, with visa-free stays that vary in length depending on the country — always confirm your current eligibility and allowed stay before you travel, since exemption lists and durations can change.
• e-Visa: the standard option for most travelers today. Apply entirely online, valid for up to 90 days, single- or multiple-entry.
• Sticker visa: issued by a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, typically used for longer stays or specific visa categories not covered by the e-visa.
• Visa on Arrival (VOA): still exists but now functions mainly as a backup option, requiring a pre-approved letter arranged in advance — you cannot simply arrive and apply on the spot.

For most travelers, the e-visa is the simplest and most convenient choice. See our full comparison in e-visa vs. Visa on Arrival: which should you choose.

What You Need to Enter Vietnam

• A valid passport with enough remaining validity to cover your trip
• Your approved e-visa (or other valid visa/exemption documentation)
• A return or onward flight ticket
• Accommodation details in Vietnam (hotel booking or an invitation letter)
• Any relevant business or work documents, if applicable to your trip

For the full e-visa document checklist, including photo and passport scan specs, see our Vietnam e-visa requirements checklist.

What Happens at Immigration When You Arrive

1. Go to the immigration checkpoint and present your passport and e-visa
2. An officer verifies your documents and stamps your passport
3. Collect your luggage from the conveyor belt
4. Pass through customs if required

⚠️ Your e-visa details must match your passport exactly — name, date of birth, and passport number. Even a small mismatch can cause problems at this stage, so it's worth double-checking before you travel rather than discovering an issue at the counter.

Customs and Prohibited Items

• Don't bring prohibited items such as illegal drugs, weapons, or restricted materials
• If you're carrying a large amount of cash, you're generally required to declare it at customs — confirm the current threshold before you travel, since customs rules can be updated

Mistakes That Can Delay or Block Your Entry

• Applying for your visa through an unofficial or unverified source
• Not double-checking your e-visa details against your passport before flying
• Assuming a submitted application is the same as an approved visa
• Leaving your application too close to your departure date, with no buffer for corrections

For a deeper look at what commonly goes wrong, see common mistakes in Vietnam e-visa applications.

Flying Soon Without a Visa Yet?

If your trip is coming up fast, discovered a mistake in your visa, or had a last-minute change of plans, urgent processing can help. See our urgent Vietnam visa service for the full range of options and pricing, from 30–60 minutes up to a few days.

FAQ: Entering Vietnam

Related Guides

• 👉 Vietnam visa: complete guide to types, requirements and fees
• 👉 e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival: which should you choose
• 👉 Vietnam e-visa requirements: the complete document checklist
• 👉 How to apply for your Vietnam e-visa, step by step
• 👉 No visa, no boarding: strict airline rules you need to know
• 👉 Urgent Vietnam visa service: 30 minutes to a few days

VietnamVisaEasy.com is a private service agency and is not affiliated with the Vietnamese government. We charge a fee to assist with visa applications. If you don't need assistance, you can apply directly on the official government website, evisa.gov.vn. For questions, visit our contact page.