Vietnam is a favorite Southeast Asian destination for backpackers—from the misty karst landscapes of Northern Vietnam to the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An in Central Vietnam, and the island scenery of Nha Trang in Southern Vietnam. Seeing flight promotions and deciding to go on a whim, only to pull out your passport and realize your visa is nowhere in sight?
The good news is: In 2027, Vietnam E-Visas are processed entirely online, with the fastest issuance taking just 4 working hours. Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has fully opened electronic visas to citizens of all countries and regions globally. Chinese mainland passport holders—both the old “G” series and the new “E” series electronic passports—can apply online.
This article is specially compiled for backpackers and independent travelers, providing a complete 2027 Vietnam E-Visa application guide, covering everything from urgent application strategies and fee options to handling unexpected airport situations.
I. Essential Knowledge for Backpacker: 2027 Vietnam E-Visa Policy Highlights
- Maximum Stay of 90 Days: E-Visas are valid for up to 90 days, with options for single-entry or multiple-entry. If you plan to travel all the way from Northern to Southern Vietnam, a 90-day multiple-entry visa is the best choice.
- 83 Designated Ports of Entry: Eligible ports have expanded to 83, including 15 international airports, multiple land border checkpoints, and seaports. Overland checkpoints frequently used by backpackers, such as Youyiguan and Mong Cai, are within this scope.
- Customizable Visa Validity Start Date: You can specify the visa start date during application, giving you more flexibility in travel planning.
- Phu Quoc Island Visa-Exemption Exception: If your itinerary is strictly limited to Phu Quoc Island and you fly directly into Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), you can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption. However, you must meet the following conditions: passport validity of at least 6 months, a confirmed return or onward flight ticket to a third country, and direct flights to Phu Quoc without transferring through mainland Vietnam.
II. Tourist Visa Fees Overview (2027)
The following fees already include processing and visa fees, guaranteeing successful and punctual issuance, with a full refund if unsuccessful.
1-Month Visa
| Processing Time | Single Entry (Tourism) | Multiple Entry (Tourism) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Working Days | 70 USD | 100 USD |
| 3 Working Days | 90 USD | 120 USD |
| 2 Working Days | 110 USD | 140 USD |
| 1 Working Day | 150 USD | 180 USD |
| 4 Working Hours | 190 USD | 220 USD |
3-Month Visa
| Processing Time | Single Entry (Tourism) | Multiple Entry (Tourism) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Working Days | 90 USD | 120 USD |
| 3 Working Days | 110 USD | 140 USD |
| 2 Working Days | 130 USD | 160 USD |
| 1 Working Day | 170 USD | 200 USD |
| 4 Working Hours | 210 USD | 240 USD |
- Official Base Government Fees: 25 USD for single entry, 50 USD for multiple entry (excluding expedited and agency service fees).
- Backpacker Budget Recommendation: If your itinerary is fixed and you have plenty of time, choose the “3-Month Multiple-Entry” 4-working-day option for only 120 USD, perfect for backpackers planning an in-depth tour of Vietnam. If departing on short notice, choose an expedited option.
III. Most Common Visa Crises for Backpackers
Crisis 1: Holiday Processing Traps
The Vietnamese Immigration Department is completely closed on weekends and public holidays. Submitting your application on a Friday afternoon often means waiting until the following work week for results. If your departure date falls right around Vietnamese holidays, it is recommended to apply at least 5 working days in advance or choose an expedited option.
Crisis 2: Non-compliant Photos or Information
When applying independently, if the photo background is not pure white, name spellings are reversed, or the passport number is mistyped, the system quietly routes the application to “Manual Review” without sending a notification, stalling your progress directly. After uploading a photo, the system will automatically check it and display a ✓ for passing; if it does not pass, please replace the photo immediately.
Crisis 3: Incorrect Port of Entry
Once approved, the visa will specify a designated port of entry, which cannot be changed. If you fill in “Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport)” during the application, but fly to “Da Nang International Airport” or “Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi,” the airline has the right to deny boarding, or you may be refused entry upon arrival. Backpacker itineraries are flexible, so be sure to confirm your entry port before departure.
IV. Step-by-Step Application Guide (Seven Steps)
- Step 1: Visit the Application Website Go to the official Vietnam Immigration electronic visa website, or apply through a professional agency website: Agency Application Link https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
- Step 2: Read Instructions and Start Application Carefully read the application instructions, check the box to agree to the terms, and enter the official application page.
- Step 3: Upload Photo and Passport Scan Sequentially upload an eligible ID photo and a scan of your passport information page. The system will automatically check if the photo complies with specifications. The passport information page must be fully captured, including the photo and ICAO code areas, ensuring no glare or obstruction.
- Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application Form (All in English) Fill in your personal information, passport details, port of entry, visa type, and validity start date item by item. Name spellings must match your passport exactly.
- Backpacker Filling Tips:
- Select “Tourism” as the purpose of visit.
- In the Vietnam contact information field, enter the name and address of your hotel for the first night.
- The port of entry must match your actual arriving airport or land border checkpoint.
- If planning to enter overland (e.g., entering from Youyiguan in Guangxi), select the corresponding land checkpoint code for the entry port.
- Backpacker Filling Tips:
- Step 5: Review Details and Submit Double-check all entered content before submitting, and submit the application once confirmed correct.
- Step 6: Complete Online Payment Complete the payment using a credit card, supporting international payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, and JCB. If payment fails more than 3 times, it is recommended to change your payment method or process it through an agency.
- Step 7: Wait for Review and Receive Visa Once approved, the visa PDF will be sent to your provided email address. Be sure to print it out in color on A4 paper, as customs officers at some Vietnamese ports do not accept digital copies displayed on mobile phones.
V. Backpacker Exclusive: Separate Visa Sheet & Airport Emergency Strategy
Separate Visa Sheet Procedure
After a Chinese mainland passport holder’s Vietnam electronic visa is approved, upon arriving at a Vietnamese airport, they must still proceed to the “Visa on Arrival” counter to obtain the separate visa sheet for free. Please make sure to carry two 2-inch white-background photos. The visa exchange is free, but the queue may be long—which is fine for backpackers with ample time.
Airport Emergency Handling
If you are already standing at the airline check-in counter and face a boarding refusal crisis due to lacking a visa, you can contact customer service to apply for a 30 to 60-minute urgent rescue.
Phu Quoc Island Visa-Exemption Notes
Chinese passport holders flying directly to Phu Quoc Island can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption, but must meet the following criteria: passport validity of at least 6 months, a return or onward flight ticket to a third country, and direct flights without transferring through mainland Vietnam. Note that Chinese mainland travelers still need to pick up a separate visa sheet for free at the Phu Quoc port for immigration stamping.
VI. 4 Major Precautions for Backpacker Applications
- Identify Official Websites to Avoid Scams: Official electronic visa websites end with
.gov.vn. Beware of imitation websites ending in.com,.org, and.net. - Strict Photo Specifications, One of the Main Causes of Failure: Domestic standard 2-inch photos (3.5×4.9cm) do not meet Vietnamese standards and must be recropped to 4x6cm. Requirements include a pure white background, no shadows, head occupying 70-85% of the frame, facing forward without a hat, eyes open, natural expression, and no glasses or hats.
- Passport Requirements: 6 Months Validity and Blank Pages: Passport validity must be at least 6 months counting from the entry date, and it is recommended to have at least 2 consecutive blank pages for entry stamps.
- Electronic Visa Entry: Be Sure to Print Hard Copies: Customs at some Vietnamese ports do not accept digital files shown on mobile phones. It is recommended to print the electronic visa PDF in color on A4 paper and store it together with your passport. Back up the electronic file to your phone and email before departure.
VII. Backpacker Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: Can I still apply for a visa if I am traveling on a whim? Yes. You can choose the 4-working-hour expedited option, with the fastest issuance on the same day. If you have already applied on the official website but your progress is stuck, you can use the visa boosting service to speed up processing.
- Q2: I plan to enter Vietnam overland from Guangxi. Can I use an E-Visa? Yes. The 83 designated ports include multiple land border checkpoints; select the corresponding land checkpoint when applying. Please note that once issued, the port of entry cannot be changed.
- Q3: Can I visit Da Nang on the way with Phu Quoc Island visa exemption? No. The visa-exemption policy for Phu Quoc Island applies exclusively within that island. If your itinerary also includes other regions of Vietnam (such as Da Nang, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City), you must apply for a valid Vietnam visa in advance.
- Q4: Do I need a visa for transiting through a Vietnamese international airport? If you only stay in the international transit area of a Vietnamese airport without completing entry procedures, and your transit time is less than 24 hours, a visa is generally not required. However, if you need to exit to collect baggage, transfer to a domestic Vietnamese flight, or stay for more than 24 hours, you must apply for a visa in advance.
VIII. Contact Information
If you have any visa questions or need urgent assistance, you can contact the visa experts directly: 📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.tw 💬 WeChat: vietnam-visa 💬 LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX 🌐 Online Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/ ⚡ Visa Boosting Service: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/boost-e-visa/
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