Taking your family to Vietnam is a dream holiday for many Australian households. Direct flights from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City take about 8 to 10 hours, with Vietjet and Jetstar offering ultra-low-cost direct fares starting around AUD $206. Vietnam features cultural tours in Hanoi for seniors, beach resorts and the ancient town of Hội An for kids, and family-friendly resorts in Phu Quoc.
However, the biggest fear for family travel is missing a visa. Vietnam E-Visas are issued per person—infants, children, and seniors holding Australian passports all need their own electronic visa. The good news is that the 2027 Vietnam E-Visa system is streamlined, fully online, and takes about 5 minutes per application. This guide tailored for Australian families covers group applications, child photo rules, senior passport requirements, fees, and entry tips.
I. Core Concept: One E-Visa Per Person
Vietnam electronic visas are not family visas; every traveler needs an individual one:
- Dad: 1
- Mum: 1
- Each child: 1 each
- Seniors: 1 each
- Infants (even non-seat-occupying): Need an E-Visa unless eligible for Phu Quoc visa-exemption or APEC exceptions.
Each application requires individual passport details, photos, entry info, and an email. Use the same email to centralize tracking, though PDFs are sent individually.
II. 2027 Family Policy Highlights
- Global Access: Australian passport holders are fully eligible.
- Up to 90 Days Stay: Single or multiple entry. Single is fine for Vietnam-only trips; choose multiple if visiting Cambodia in between.
- 83 Designated Ports: Includes 15 international airports, land borders, and seaports. Key airports: Noi Bai (HAN, Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (SGN, HCMC), Da Nang (DAD), Cam Ranh (CXR, Nha Trang), Phu Quoc (PQC).
- No Invitation Letter for Business: Business E-Visas do not require a sponsor letter from a Vietnamese company.
- Custom Start Date: Families can set the same activation date for everyone.
- Electronic Arrival Card System: As of 2026, major international airports (HCMC, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Da Nang) use electronic arrival cards. Travelers must complete online profile declarations prior to arrival. Separate from E-Visas; every family member must declare.
III. Family Document Checklist: Everyone Needs These
| Item | Specification / Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport Scan | At least 6 months validity from arrival date; full data page, no glare/obstruction; at least 2 consecutive blank pages |
| Digital ID Photo | Within 6 months, white background, frontal view, no glasses, ears visible; 4×6 cm, JPG, under 2MB |
| Vietnam Contact Info | Leisure: 1st night hotel name & address; Business: Vietnamese company name & address |
| Port of Entry | Uniform airport code for family, e.g., SGN, HAN, DAD |
| Valid Email | To receive application ref code and visa result |
| Credit Card | Visa / Mastercard / JCB supported |
Photo rules are the #1 reason for rejections. For active kids:
- Plain white wall, natural light.
- Sit upright, look straight at the camera.
- No glasses, hats, or masks.
- Ears and facial features clearly visible.
- Crop phone photo to 4×6 cm, JPG, under 2MB.
Seniors wearing glasses should remove them unless medically necessary (consult agency if unsure). Passport names matter: Australian middle names go under Given Name. Surname = family name, Given Name = given + middle names, do not swap.
IV. Application Process: 5 Minutes Per Person
- Access Portal: Official Vietnam immigration portal or agency: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
- Review & Start: Check agreement terms.
- Upload Docs: Upload photos and passport scans separately per member.
- Fill Form: English only. Spelling must match passport exactly. Entry port, visa type, and start date must match across the family.
- Review & Submit: Double-check names, passport numbers, birth dates.
- Online Payment: USD pricing; card issuer converts to AUD at daily rate.
- Receive Visa: PDF sent to email. A4 color printout required per member, kept with passport.
Family Tip: Create a folder naming files clearly like SMITH_JOHN_PASSPORT.jpg, SMITH_JOHN_EVISA.pdf for fast airport retrieval.
V. Family Tourism Visa Fees (Per Person, Agency + Visa Fees Included)
100% money-back guarantee if unsuccessful/delayed. Base government fee: $25 USD single, $50 USD multiple (excludes rush/agency fees). Total = per person fee × headcount.
1-Month Single Entry (Tourist)
| Processing Time | Per Person Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 working days | $70 USD |
| 3 working days | $90 USD |
| 2 working days | $110 USD |
| 1 working day | $150 USD |
| 4 working hours | $190 USD |
1-Month Multiple Entry (Tourist)
| Processing Time | Per Person Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 working days | $100 USD |
| 2 working days | $140 USD |
| 1 working day | $180 USD |
| 4 working hours | $220 USD |
3-Month Single Entry (Tourist)
| Processing Time | Per Person Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 working days | $90 USD |
| 3 working days | $110 USD |
| 2 working days | $130 USD |
| 1 working day | $170 USD |
| 4 working hours | $210 USD |
3-Month Multiple Entry (Tourist)
| Processing Time | Per Person Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 working days | $120 USD |
| 3 working days | onward… |
(Note: Budget 4+ working days for large families to avoid multiplying rush fees).
VI. Special Entry Notes: Phu Quoc Exemption, Transits, Hardcopies
- Phu Quoc Exemption: 30-day visa-free for direct flights to Phu Quoc (PQC) valid through 2028. Requirements: 6+ months passport validity, outbound ticket from Phu Quoc, direct PQC flight, stay confined to Phu Quoc. Domestic transfer via HCMC/Hanoi voids exemption; pre-arranged full visa required.
- Transits: International airside transit <24 hours without clearing customs usually requires no visa. Handling luggage, domestic transfers, or >24 hours requires a pre-arranged visa.
- No In-Country Extension: E-Visas cannot be extended locally; leave and reapply or switch visa types beforehand.
- Landing Visa Cash Rule: Approval letter landing visa counters accept clean USD paper bills only (exact $25 USD per person preferred; no AUD or credit cards).
- Hardcopies Required: Some ports reject mobile screens. A4 color printouts per member mandatory, plus digital backups on phone/email.
- E-Arrival Card: Pre-arrival online declaration separate from E-Visa. Required per family member.
VII. FAQs
- Q1: Do kids need a Vietnam E-Visa? Yes. Every Australian passport holder needs their own E-Visa, including infants (unless qualifying for Phu Quoc exemption).
- Q2: Can we apply together as a family? System requires individual submissions. You can use the same computer and email sequentially.
- Q3: Can I visit Da Nang with Phu Quoc exemption? No. Phu Quoc exemption is island-bound only. Mainland trips need a prior visa.
- Q4: Do I need proof of funds or return flights for E-Visa? No. Proof of funds, employment letters, or return tickets are not required for E-Visa applications.
VIII. Contact Us
📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.in
💬 WeChat: vietnam-visa
💬 LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX
🌐 Online Apply: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
⚡ Boost Service (Stuck official applications): https://www.vietnam-visa.in/boost-your-e-visa-application-form/
#VietnamEmergencyVisa #VietnamEVisaExpress #VietnamVisaUrgent #VietnamEVisaForAustralians #AustralianPassportVietnamEVisa #VietnamArrivalCard2027 #VietnamVisaGuide
Planning a multi-generational trip or a specific regional itinerary in Vietnam for your family? Let me know your destination list and dates if you’d like a custom day-by-day pace check!
