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Vietnam visit visa: the 90-day e-Visa
India is not visa-free for mainland Vietnam, so you apply for the e-Visa online before you fly. The good news is it is simple and generous: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, no embassy visit. The catch is three things that trip Indians up, the locked entry port, the no-extension rule, and the Phu Quoc routing trap. We help you avoid all three.
Data current as of June 2026
What you need to visit Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing holidays for Indian travellers, and the e-Visa makes it one of the easiest to arrange. The key is to know that India is not visa-free, so you sort the visa online before you go.
Indian passport holders are not on Vietnam’s visa-free list, so you need a visa for mainland Vietnam by any mode of travel. The easiest route is the e-Visa, applied for online at the official portal evisa.gov.vn, with no embassy visit. Since August 2023 it is valid for up to 90 days, in single-entry or multiple-entry form, and works at many airports, land borders, and seaports.
The e-Visa is generous, but three things catch Indian travellers out: the entry port you choose is locked, so you can only enter where you said; the e-Visa cannot be extended once you are inside Vietnam; and the Phu Quoc Island visa-free option has a strict routing condition. There is also a visa on arrival for limited cases. This page is a full guide: the e-Visa, the three traps, the Phu Quoc rules, the fees, the documents, and the process.
India is not visa-free for mainland Vietnam
Some Southeast Asian neighbours are visa-free for Indians, but mainland Vietnam is not. You arrange a visa before you travel, and the e-Visa is the simplest way.
You need a visa before you fly
India is not on Vietnam’s unilateral visa-exemption list, which covers some European nationalities for up to 45 days. Indian passport holders need a pre-approved visa or e-Visa to enter mainland Vietnam by any mode of transport, and arriving without one can mean denied boarding or refusal at the border. The one exception is Phu Quoc Island, under strict conditions covered below.
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi advisory, current for 2026. India is not on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list, so Indian travellers need an e-Visa, a visa on arrival with a pre-approval letter, or an embassy visa for mainland Vietnam. The Phu Quoc Island exemption applies only under strict conditions. Rules can change, so confirm on the official portal before you travel.
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Three traps that catch Indian travellers
The Vietnam e-Visa is simple, but three rules surprise people every year. Knowing them in advance is the difference between a smooth trip and a problem at the airport.
The entry port is locked
You choose your port of entry when you apply, and you can only enter through that exact airport, land border, or seaport. The wrong port voids the visa at that crossing.
No extension inside Vietnam
The e-Visa cannot be extended or renewed from inside the country. To stay longer you must leave and apply again, so plan your exit around your visa dates.
The Phu Quoc routing trap
The Phu Quoc visa-free option is voided if you connect through the mainland. Only a direct international arrival to the island qualifies.
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi advisory, current for 2026. The entry port selected on the e-Visa is fixed, the e-Visa cannot be extended inside Vietnam, and the Phu Quoc visa-free exemption applies only to a direct international arrival with island-only travel. Rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
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How the locked entry port works
This is the single most common e-Visa mistake. You pick one port to enter through, and the visa is tied to it. You may leave through a different port, but you cannot enter through one you did not choose.
Not sure which entry port to choose?
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Single or multiple entry?
Both the single-entry and multiple-entry e-Visas last up to 90 days. The difference is what happens when you leave Vietnam during your trip. Here is how they compare.
- Stay
- Up to 90 days
- Entries
- One only; invalid once you leave Vietnam
- Best for
- A straight Vietnam-only holiday
- Cost
- About 25 US dollars, roughly 2,100 rupees
- Stay
- Up to 90 days
- Entries
- Leave and re-enter freely within the validity
- Best for
- Trips with side visits to Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
- Cost
- About 50 US dollars, roughly 4,200 rupees
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), current for 2026. Both e-Visa types are valid for up to 90 days. A single-entry e-Visa, about 25 US dollars, becomes invalid the moment you leave Vietnam, while a multiple-entry e-Visa, about 50 US dollars, allows re-entry within the validity, which suits regional side trips. Fees are non-refundable and the rupee cost depends on the exchange rate. Amounts can change, so confirm before you apply.
Planning side trips around Vietnam?
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Phu Quoc Island: visa-free, if all of this is true
There is one visa-free option for Indians, and it is Phu Quoc Island, for up to 30 days. But it only works if every single condition below is true, and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi has warned travellers about the conditions.
- ✓ You arrive directly from another country to Phu Quoc, by air or sea.
- ✓ You stay only on Phu Quoc, with no mainland travel at all.
- ✓ You exit directly from Phu Quoc to another country.
- ✓ Your passport is valid at least 6 months.
- ✓ You carry a confirmed onward ticket and proof of funds.
The routing trap: a flight to Phu Quoc that connects through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City means you clear mainland immigration first, which voids the exemption. If there is any chance you will see the mainland, even a hospital visit, apply for the e-Visa instead.
Source: Vietnam immigration policy and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi advisory of 6 April 2026. Phu Quoc allows a visa-free stay of up to 30 days only for a direct international arrival with island-only travel and a direct international exit. Connecting through the mainland voids it, and you cannot visit mainland Vietnam, even briefly, without a visa. Confirm your routing before you book, as rules can change.
Beach-only trip, or mainland too?
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Vietnam visit options compared
There are a few ways for Indian travellers to enter Vietnam. This table compares the main ones by where you apply and what they suit.
| Option | How you get it | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| e-Visa | Online at evisa.gov.vn | Up to 90 days |
| Visa on arrival | Pre-approval letter, airports only | Up to 90 days |
| Embassy visa | In person, New Delhi or Mumbai | Varies |
| Phu Quoc visa-free | Direct arrival, island only | Up to 30 days |
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and published guidance, current for 2026. The e-Visa is applied for online and allows up to 90 days, the visa on arrival needs a pre-approval letter and is available only at international airports, the embassy visa is applied for in person, and the Phu Quoc exemption allows up to 30 days for a direct island-only trip. None of the visit options allow paid work. Categories can change, so confirm current details before you travel.
For most Indian tourists the 90-day e-Visa is the simplest, cheapest, and most flexible option. We confirm the right route for your trip.
Documents you need for the e-Visa
The e-Visa needs only a short document set, but accuracy matters, since errors are the main cause of delays. This table shows what to have ready.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | All applicants | Valid 6 months from entry, 2 blank pages |
| Passport bio-page scan | All applicants | Clear JPEG under 2 MB, all lines visible |
| Portrait photo | All applicants | 4 by 6 cm, white background, no glasses |
| Travel details | All applicants | Entry and exit ports, accommodation |
| International card | All applicants | To pay the fee online |
| Onward ticket | At the border | Confirmed return or onward travel |
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), current for 2026. The passport must be valid at least six months from entry with two blank pages, the bio-page scan must be a clear JPEG under two megabytes, and the photo must be 4 by 6 centimetres on a white background with no glasses. Your details must match the passport exactly, and immigration can ask for a confirmed onward ticket. Confirm the current checklist before you apply.
Getting every field to match your passport exactly is what avoids delays and refusals. We build and check your full e-Visa file so nothing is wrong.
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Vietnam visit costs
The official e-Visa fee is low and fixed. The main thing is to pay it only on the official portal. The table shows the main charges as a guide.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| e-Visa, single entry | 25 US dollars | About 2,100 rupees |
| e-Visa, multiple entry | 50 US dollars | About 4,200 rupees |
| Visa on arrival | 25 to 50 dollars | Plus an agency service fee |
| Phu Quoc visa-free | No visa fee | Island-only, direct arrival |
| Embassy visa | Varies | By type and duration |
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and published guidance, current for 2026. The e-Visa is 25 US dollars for single entry and 50 US dollars for multiple entry, paid online by international card, the visa on arrival adds an agency service fee to the stamping fee, and the Phu Quoc exemption has no visa fee. Fees are non-refundable even if refused, and third-party sites can charge several times the official price. Amounts can change, so confirm before you apply.
Use only the official portal so you pay the real fee and not an inflated one. We give you a clear, current cost picture before you apply.
The e-Visa process, step by step
Getting the e-Visa is a short online journey, from the official portal to the airport. The boarding-pass style legs below show the five steps.
Step 1
Open the portal
Go to evisa.gov.vn, the official site, and start the e-Visa form.
Step 2
Pick entry type and port
Single or multiple entry, and your exact entry port.
Step 3
Upload and pay
Passport scan, photo, details, then pay by card.
Step 4
Get approval
About 3 working days, then download the PDF.
Step 5
Fly and enter
Carry a printed e-Visa, enter at your chosen port.
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), current for 2026. Travellers apply online, choose the entry type and the exact entry port, upload a passport scan and photo, pay by international card, and receive the e-Visa by email in about three working days, then carry a printed copy and enter through the chosen port. A visa does not guarantee entry, since an officer decides. Confirm current details before you travel.
Want us to manage the whole thing?
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Vietnam visit dos and donts
The e-Visa is easy, but a few specific mistakes cause real problems. These dos and donts keep your application and arrival smooth.
Do the right things
- Apply only on evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
- Match every detail to your passport exactly.
- Choose the entry port that matches your flight.
- Keep your passport valid 6 months with 2 blank pages.
- Note your exact exit date and plan around it.
- Carry a printed e-Visa and an onward ticket.
Do not do these
- Do not assume India is visa-free for the mainland.
- Do not use scam sites that charge several times more.
- Do not expect to extend the e-Visa inside Vietnam.
- Do not enter through a port you did not select.
- Do not connect via the mainland on a Phu Quoc trip.
- Do not overstay, as the fines were raised in 2026.
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi advisory, current for 2026. Use only the official portals, match your details to the passport, enter at your chosen port, and plan your exit since the e-Visa cannot be extended. Overstay fines were raised in 2026. Rules can change, so confirm current details.
What you can and cannot do
A visit on the e-Visa lets you do plenty as a tourist or short business visitor, within clear limits. Here is what is and is not allowed.
You can
- Cruise the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay.
- Explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Wander the old town of Hoi An.
- Relax on the beaches of Da Nang and Phu Quoc.
- Attend business meetings and conferences.
- Make side trips on a multiple-entry e-Visa.
You cannot
- Take up paid employment in Vietnam.
- Study a long program on a visit.
- Extend the e-Visa from inside the country.
- Visit the mainland on the Phu Quoc exemption.
- Stay beyond your visa exit date.
For work you need a work permit and a business visa sponsored by a Vietnamese company, and study needs a student visa. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), current for 2026. The e-Visa is for tourism and short business visits only and does not allow paid work, which needs a work permit and a sponsored business visa, or study, which needs a student visa. The Phu Quoc exemption is island-only. Overstaying is a serious offence. Rules can change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
Stay, validity, and the rules
The e-Visa is generous on length but strict on dates. This table explains the stay, validity, extension, and entry rules for Indian travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| e-Visa stay | Up to 90 days | Within the dates on your visa |
| Entry type | Single or multiple | Single is invalid once you leave |
| Entry port | Locked | Enter only at your chosen port |
| Extension | Not available | Leave and reapply to stay longer |
| Phu Quoc visa-free | Up to 30 days | Island-only, direct arrival |
Source: Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn), current for 2026. The e-Visa allows up to 90 days within the exact dates shown, single or multiple entry, with a locked entry port and no in-country extension. The Phu Quoc exemption allows up to 30 days for a direct island-only trip. Overstaying carries fines that were raised in 2026. Rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
The e-Visa is for short visits, not for settling. If you want to work, study, or stay longer, a separate visa is needed. We explain the rules and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for at the border
The e-Visa makes entry simple, but an officer at the border still decides whether to admit you. Arriving with a correct e-Visa, the right entry port, and your travel proof ready is what keeps it smooth.
Common reasons for a problem include details that do not match the passport, a blurry passport scan or photo, choosing the wrong entry port, a passport with less than six months validity or no blank pages, or using a scam website. The Phu Quoc routing trap and assuming the e-Visa can be extended also catch travellers out. Most issues can be avoided with careful preparation.
India is not visa-free for mainland Vietnam, so Indians apply for the e-Visa online at evisa.gov.vn, valid up to 90 days, single entry about 25 US dollars or multiple entry about 50, processed in about three working days. The entry port is locked, the e-Visa cannot be extended inside Vietnam, and Phu Quoc Island is visa-free for up to 30 days only for a direct island-only trip. Overstay fines were raised in 2026, and an officer still decides entry.
Factual overview, verified against the Vietnam National e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) and the Indian Embassy in Hanoi advisory of 6 April 2026, current as of June 2026. Fees, validity, ports, and rules are set by the Vietnamese authorities and can change at any time. Entry is decided by an immigration officer.
Meeting the requirements keeps your arrival smooth, but the final decision rests with the Vietnamese authorities and the officer at the border. We give you a realistic view and help you arrive fully prepared.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Vietnam visit
Our immigration experts guide Indian travellers through visiting Vietnam, from the 90-day e-Visa and the locked entry port to the no-extension rule, the Phu Quoc visa-free trap, the fees, and the documents. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.