Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens

A Vietnam visa for South African citizens is required for every visit, and the e-visa is the simplest way to get one. It is fully online, issued for up to 90 days and accepted at airports, land borders and seaports on the official list. This guide explains the e-visa, the documents, the timing from South Africa and the route details that most often cause problems.

Do South Africans need a Vietnam visa for South African citizens?

Yes, for every trip. South Africa is not on Vietnam's visa exemption list. Tourists, business travelers and people visiting family all need a visa before boarding.

Our Phu Quoc visa-free guide explains the island exception.

How does the e-visa work for South Africans?

It is applied for online and arrives as a PDF.

• Validity: up to 90 days, with the dates you choose.
• Entry: single or multiple.
• Government fee: US$25 single entry or US$50 multiple entry.
• Where: the official e-visa portal or an agency that files on the same system.

South African passports follow the standard rules, so every speed is available, from the normal 4–6 working days to the fastest urgent options.

What do South Africans need to apply?

Five things, ready before you start.

1. A South African passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, with a blank page.
2. A photo of the passport data page with both machine-readable lines visible.
3. A recent portrait photo on a white background, without glasses, saved as JPG.
4. Your landing date, Vietnamese arrival airport and first address in Vietnam.
5. A card that works for foreign online payments in US dollars.

How long does it take from South Africa?

Plan on 4–6 Vietnamese working days for the normal speed. Vietnam is 5 hours ahead of South Africa. Vietnamese offices work Monday to Friday, 08:00–11:30 and 13:30–18:30 Vietnam time, which is 03:00–06:30 and 08:30–13:30 in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

By the afternoon in South Africa, Vietnamese offices have closed for the day. For a close departure, see our urgent processing guide.

Which details cause problems?

Mostly route and date errors.

• Transit hub as entry port. Flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town usually connect in Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Singapore or Bangkok. The entry port is the Vietnamese airport where you land.
• Arrival date. Long connections land a day after departure; use the landing date.
• Names. Enter every given name exactly as in the machine-readable lines.
• Photos. Use a JPG file, not HEIC or PDF.

What should you check when the e-visa arrives?

Compare every detail with your passport and flight. Name, passport number, date of birth, start date, end date and entry port must all be right. If something is wrong, read how to correct a Vietnam e-visa mistake before you fly.

What happens on arrival?

Show your passport and e-visa at immigration. Carry the PDF and a printed copy. Officers may ask for a return ticket and hotel address. The entry stamp shows your last permitted day; overstaying leads to fines at departure.

Are there health entry requirements?

Check them before you travel. Vaccination rules can change and may depend on your route, especially for travelers passing through countries with yellow fever risk. Ask your travel clinic or the Vietnamese embassy, and carry your vaccination record with your passport.

Can South Africans use a visa on arrival?

Only with an approval letter arranged in advance. A visa on arrival is not a walk-up service: the airline checks the approval letter at check-in in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and the stamping fee is paid in cash in Vietnam after a long journey. It works only at international airports. For most South African travelers, the e-visa is simpler because it arrives as a PDF. Our visa on arrival guide compares the two.

Do South African children need their own e-visa?

Yes. Each child with their own passport needs a separate e-visa and photo. There is no family application and no child discount on the government fee. Some airlines also ask for extra documents when children travel, so check your airline's rules for minors.

What if your e-visa is still processing near departure?

Do not apply again. Ask for a speed-up of the existing application instead, so you keep the government fee you paid and avoid two files for one passport. Our guide on how to speed up an existing Vietnam e-visa explains the steps.

Apply for a Vietnam e-visa