Vietnam—whether it’s the French colonial charm of Ho Chi Minh City, the sun and beaches of Da Nang, the street food of Hanoi, or the luxury resorts of Phu Quoc—has always been one of the favorite travel destinations for Hong Kong people. At the same time, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, Vietnam also attracts an increasing number of Hong Kong business professionals for inspection trips, meetings, and contract signings.
However, whether for travel or business, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport holders must obtain a visa in advance before traveling to Vietnam. Even more nerve-wracking is when travelers discover their visa has not been processed just before departure, only to find that Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Day, or other public holidays have caused embassies and immigration departments to suspend operations. Both business travelers and independent tourists can run into this situation.
The good news is that even during weekends or Vietnamese public holidays, through professional visa service channels, urgent Vietnam visas can still be expedited, and an entry approval letter can be obtained in as fast as 2 hours. The key lies in choosing the correct channel rather than panicking and waiting.
I. 2027 Vietnam Public Holidays Overview
Vietnam’s public holidays directly affect visa processing progress. The Immigration Department and embassies are completely closed during holidays. While the electronic visa system is open 24/7, applications are not processed during holidays. Below are the major public holidays in Vietnam for 2027:
| Holiday | Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | 1 day |
| Lunar New Year (Tet) | February 4 – February 10 | 7 days (for public officials) |
| Hung Kings Festival | April 16 | 1 day |
| Reunification Day | April 30 – May 3 | 4 days |
| Labor Day | April 30 – May 3 | 4 days |
| National Day | September 2 – September 3 | 2 days |
Important Reminder: Visa processing time does not include holidays. If your departure date coincides with the above holidays and your visa has not been issued, please initiate the emergency application procedure immediately.
II. Common Scenarios of Visa Stucks During Holidays
Scenario 1: Discovering No Visa Only Upon Arriving at the Airport
When checking in, airlines must verify that passengers comply with entry regulations. If a valid visa or official approval letter cannot be presented, airlines have the right to refuse boarding according to regulations. This is not a decision made by individual counter staff, but a basic requirement of international aviation and entry standards. Showing an “application receipt” is useless—ground staff only look at the official system’s “approval status.”
Scenario 2: E-Visa Shows “Pending”
The Vietnam Immigration Department does not work on weekends and public holidays. If you submit your application on a Friday afternoon or during a holiday, although the system accepts the data, actual review will not begin until the next working day. If your departure date happens to fall during a holiday while your visa status still shows pending, you have entered the “processing red zone.”
Scenario 3: Believing “Visa on Arrival” Can Be Done Upon Arrival
“Visa on Arrival” is often misunderstood. Travelers must obtain an Approval Letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department before departure. Without this document, you may be denied boarding at your departure airport.
III. Holiday Emergency Visa Solutions
Even when the immigration office is on holiday, the Vietnamese government reserves a holiday duty review channel for emergencies. This is not a loophole, but an expedited visa application submitted through authorized agents.
Hong Kong Citizen Exclusive Emergency Visa Service Types:
| Service Type | Processing Time | Applicable Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Expedited | 4 – 8 hours | Travelers departing the next day |
| Super Expedited | 1 – 2 hours | Travelers boarding on the same day |
| Holiday / Weekend Express | 1 – 4 hours | Departing on Vietnamese public holidays or weekends |
- Hong Kong Applicant Time Zone Advantage: Hong Kong is 1 hour ahead of Vietnam. If you apply at 09:00 Hong Kong time, the Vietnam Immigration Department has just started work, which is very advantageous for securing “same-day visa issuance.”
Required Application Materials:
- Passport scan copy (validity of at least 6 months)
- Two 4Ă—6Â cm white-background photos (taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, ears visible)
- Fully completed application form
IV. Application Process (Fastest Approval Letter in 2 Hours)
Step 1: Submit Online Application
Go to the application page: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
If you are applying during a holiday or weekend, you can use the holiday emergency dedicated channel.
Step 2: Choose Processing Speed
Choose the corresponding expedited plan based on your flight departure time. Please be sure to reserve a buffer time of at least 1 – 2 hours.
Step 3: Complete Secure Payment
Pay service fees using credit cards, PayPal, etc. Express service fees are higher than regular applications, depending on the processing speed.
Step 4: Receive Approval Letter
Once approved, the approval letter will be sent to your email inbox. Please make sure to download and print it out.
Step 5: Boarding and Entry
- When checking in at Hong Kong International Airport (or another departure airport), present the printed approval letter.
- Upon arriving at a Vietnamese airport, proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter, present the approval letter, passport, photos, and cash to pay the stamping fee to complete visa stamping and officially enter the country.
V. Fee Description
Emergency Visa Reference Fees (USD):
| Fee Item | Amount (USD) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Approval Letter Fee | From $165 | Depends on processing speed |
| Airport Stamping Fee | $25 | Single entry, paid in cash upon arrival at the airport |
| VIP Fast Track Service | $45 | Optional, reduces airport queue time |
Note: Fees may vary depending on processing speed (standard expedited / super expedited) and application type (tourism / business).
VI. Why Choose Vietnam-visa.in
Vietnam-visa.in has over 15 years of Vietnam visa service experience, providing professional assistance to global travelers (including a large number of Hong Kong citizens) for a long time:
- Open During Holidays: Emergency processing channels remain operational even during major festivals like the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and National Day.
- Fastest 2-Hour Approval: Super expedited service secures an approval letter in as fast as 1 – 2 hours.
- Data Review & Quality Control: A professional team reviews data before submission to lower the risk of errors in spelling, passport numbers, etc.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Bridging time zones with instant responses to emergency cases.
- Approval Guarantee & Refund Policy: Transparent processes giving travelers peace of mind.
VII. Professional Recommendations
- Plan Ahead: The standard processing time for an e-visa is 3 – 5 working days; it is recommended to apply at least 15 days in advance.
- Avoid Holidays: If your schedule is flexible, try to avoid departing during Vietnamese public holidays.
- Reserve a Buffer: Although emergency applications are fast, it is still recommended to reserve at least 2 – 4 hours of processing time.
- Verify Information: Be sure to confirm that the spelling of names, passport numbers, and entry dates are completely correct before submitting.
- Passport Validity: Valid for at least 6 months starting from the departure date from Vietnam.
- BNO Passport Holder Notice: BNO passport holders are not eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa and must apply in person for a traditional visa at the Consulate General of Vietnam in Hong Kong (Wan Chai), or apply for a visa on arrival approval letter.
Contact Information
If you have any visa questions or need emergency assistance, you can contact our visa experts directly:
- Email: info@vietnam-visa.in
- WeChat: vietnam-visa
- LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX
- Online Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
- Boost Your Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/boost-your-e-visa-application-form/
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