Updated 6 October 2026 · VietnamVisaEasy
South Korean passport holders are visa-exempt for stays up to 45 days in Vietnam under the bilateral agreement. For longer stays, or when you want a confirmed approval before boarding, a Vietnam eVisa costs USD 50 (4–6 working days) up to USD 215 for emergency 30-60 minute processing. This guide covers eligibility, all processing tiers, Korean timezone cutoffs, and what to do if you are already at Incheon Airport without an eVisa.
Quick answer — Korean citizens
South Korean passport holders are visa-exempt up to 45 days. For 46+ days or confirmed approval: eVisa from USD 50 (4–6 days). Fastest tiers: 1.5-Hour USD 185 (before 18:00 KST Mon–Fri) · 2.5-Hour USD 155 · Emergency 30-60 min USD 215 (24/7).
Do Korean Citizens Need a Vietnam Visa?
South Korea has a bilateral visa-exemption agreement with Vietnam. South Korean passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. No prior approval is required — your South Korean passport is your entry document.
You need a Vietnam eVisa if: (1) your stay will exceed 45 days, (2) you want documentary proof before boarding — some airlines or travel insurance policies require it, or (3) you are entering on a business visa or other non-tourist purpose that the exemption does not cover.
North Korean (DPRK) passport holders are not eligible for the South Korea bilateral exemption and must apply for a visa through Vietnamese embassies. This guide applies to Republic of Korea (South Korean) passports.
Processing Tiers — New Application
All prices include the USD 25 Vietnamese government fee. Korean Standard Time (KST) is UTC+9 — Vietnam time (GMT+7) is 2 hours behind KST.
| Tier | Price | Delivery | KST cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | USD 50 | 4–6 working days | Travel 10+ days away |
| 3-Day | USD 90 | 3 working days | Travel 4–9 days away |
| 2-Day | USD 100 | 2 working days | Travel 3–4 days away |
| 1-Day | USD 110 | Same working day | Before 16:00 KST Mon–Fri |
| 5-Hour | USD 125 | Within 5 hours | Before 18:00 KST Mon–Fri |
| 2.5-Hour | USD 155 | Within 2.5 hours | Before 20:00 KST Mon–Fri |
| 1.5-Hour | USD 185 | Within 1.5 hours | Before 20:00 KST Mon–Fri |
| Weekend / Holiday | USD 230 | Sat–Sun or public holiday | Flying Sat–Sun |
| Emergency 30–60 min | USD 215 | 30–60 minutes, 24/7 | At airport, any time |
Already applied on evisa.gov.vn? Speed Up (no second government fee): 3-Day USD 65 · 1-Day USD 85 · 5-Hour USD 100 · 2.5-Hour USD 110 · 1.5-Hour USD 160 · Weekend USD 210 · Emergency 30–60 min USD 190.
Incheon Airport Cutoffs (KST)
Korean Standard Time (KST, UTC+9) is 2 hours ahead of Vietnam time. Most flights from Incheon (ICN) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN) depart in the evening Korean time, which aligns with afternoon Vietnam processing hours. This works in your favour: a 20:00 KST departure gives an 18:00 VNT cutoff window, within which the 1.5-Hour tier (USD 185) is open.
For early-morning Incheon departures (06:00–09:00 KST) where you need a visa quickly, the 2.5-Hour or Emergency tier is required. These are available 24/7 via WhatsApp — the Vietnamese government handles emergency cases outside normal portal hours.
Important: entry point is Vietnam, not Korea
Your entry airport on the eVisa application is the Vietnamese airport where you first land — SGN, HAN, DAD, PQC, or CXR. Incheon (ICN) is your departure airport, not your entry point. Listing ICN as your entry airport will cause a rejection.
At Incheon Airport Without an eVisa
If you are at Incheon Airport and have not obtained your Vietnam eVisa yet, contact WhatsApp +84 947 754 252 immediately with: (1) your passport number, (2) your flight number to Vietnam, and (3) a scan of your passport photo page.
For the Emergency 30-60 min tier (USD 215), a Boarding Letter is issued within approximately 30 minutes, confirming your eVisa is in process. Present this to the airline check-in counter. The full eVisa is typically delivered before or shortly after boarding. The entry port on your application must be the Vietnamese airport you are flying into, not Incheon.
eVisa vs Visa-Exemption for Korean Passport Holders
The 45-day visa exemption is automatic — no application required, and the clock starts when you enter Vietnam. If your total stay (including any planned extensions) will be 45 days or fewer, you generally do not need an eVisa. However, if your itinerary involves re-entering Vietnam during the same trip, the exemption applies per entry. Multiple entries require either multiple exemption uses (each up to 45 days) or a multiple-entry eVisa.
A Vietnam eVisa allows stays of up to 90 days (30- or 90-day validity, same price). Multiple-entry eVisa adds USD 25 and allows unlimited entries within the validity window. If you are on a longer itinerary or planning to leave and re-enter Vietnam, the 90-day multiple-entry eVisa is usually the most flexible option.
How to Apply
- Go to vietnamvisaeasy.com/apply and select your tier.
- Upload your South Korean passport scan (all four edges visible) and passport-style photo (white background, face clearly visible).
- Enter your Vietnam arrival date, entry airport (SGN / HAN / DAD / PQC / CXR — not ICN), and Vietnam accommodation address.
- Pay online and receive a submission confirmation within 30 minutes during office hours.
- Your approved eVisa arrives by email as a PDF with QR code. Check spam. Print or save to phone and present at the immigration counter in Vietnam.
Need help? WhatsApp +84 947 754 252 (24/7)
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