Strap on your backpack, travel from Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its 36 ancient streets down south through Da Nang’s beaches and Hoi An’s lantern-lit ancient town, and finish your journey at Ho Chi Minh City’s Pham Ngu Lao Streetāthis is a classic Southeast Asian route in the hearts of many Taiwanese backpackers. Vietnam offers friendly living costs, diverse transportation options, and street food everywhere, making it ideal for budget-conscious backpackers looking for in-depth travel. However, the easiest thing to overlook before departure is the visa. This article approaches from a backpacker’s perspective, laying out money-saving tips, flexible planning, and multi-country itinerary tips for 2027 Vietnam visas.
I. What Kind of Visa Do Backpackers Need?
As of 2027, Vietnam has not implemented comprehensive visa-free entry for Taiwan passport holders. Whether traveling for leisure, visiting relatives, or business, you must obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam. For backpackers, the most convenient option is the Vietnam Electronic Visa (E-Visa), which is completed entirely online without needing to visit an office.
The E-Visa lasts up to 90 days and allows single or multiple entries. If you plan to stay in Vietnam for two to three weeks or even a month, a 90-day visa frees you from rushing your schedule, letting you explore at your own pace.
II. Phu Quoc Island Visa ExemptionāA Budget-Friendly Option for Backpackers
Phu Quoc is currently the only region in Vietnam offering visa-free entry to Taiwan passport holders for up to 30 days, valid through 2028. The conditions are:
- Passport validity of at least 6 months
- Holding a return or onward ticket to a third country
- Flying directly to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)
- Itinerary restricted strictly to Phu Quoc Island
If you transfer or enter through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the exemption does not apply. Backpackers looking to save on visa fees can consider Phu Quoc as an independent destination, flying directly in and out.
III. Planning Multi-Country Itineraries: Single vs. Multiple Entry
Backpackers often string Vietnam together with surrounding countries, for example:
Taiwan ā Vietnam ā Thailand ā Vietnam ā Taiwan
This itinerary requires entering Vietnam twice. If you only obtain a single-entry visa, you cannot re-enter Vietnam using the same visa after leaving the first time. Therefore, whenever your itinerary involves “leaving Vietnam and returning,” you must apply for a multiple-entry visa.
It is recommended to map out your complete route before deciding on the visa type. Rather than realizing your visa is insufficient at the border, applying for a multiple-entry visa from the start saves time and money on reapplications.
IV. Pre-Application Preparation: Backpacker Checklist
| Item | Specification Requirements |
| Passport Scan | At least 6 months validity from entry date; complete data page, no glare; at least 2 consecutive blank pages |
| Digital ID Photo | Within last 6 months, white background, frontal view, no glasses, ears visible; 4×6 cm, JPG, under 2MB |
| Vietnam Contact Info | First night’s accommodation name and address (hostels and guesthouses are acceptable) |
| Port of Entry | Confirm entry airport code |
| Valid Email | To receive visa results |
| Credit Card | Visa / Mastercard / JCB |
Hostels and guesthouses commonly used by backpackers can serve as contact addresses; star-rated hotels are not required.
V. Seven-Step Online Application
- Enter the official Vietnam Immigration website or a professional agency website
- Read the instructions and check agreement
- Upload digital ID photo and passport scan
- Fill out the online application form
- Review and submit details
- Pay via credit card
- Receive visa PDF and print in color on A4 paper
Agency Application Link: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
VI. Taiwanese Passport Name FormattingāDon’t Take it Lightly
The Vietnam E-Visa system has extremely strict name requirements. Automated AI screening plus manual verification means any discrepancy with the passport MRZ will trigger an amendment request. Correct practice:
- Surname first, then Given Nameāorder cannot be reversed
- All capital English letters, matching passport spelling
- Retain spaces for hyphens and remove hyphens
- Do not confuse letter O with number 0
- Only use passport English name
VII. Fee Overview and Budgeting Tips
The fees below include agency and visa service fees, guaranteeing successful and timely processing with a full refund if unsuccessful.
1-Month Single Entry
| Processing Time | Tourist Visa | Business Visa |
| 4 working days | 70 USD | 80 USD |
| 3 working days | 90 USD | 100 USD |
| 2 working days | 110 USD | 120 USD |
| 1 working day | 150 USD | 160 USD |
| 4 working hours | 190 USD | 200 USD |
1-Month Multiple Entry
| Processing Time | Tourist Visa | Business Visa |
| 4 working days | 100 USD | 110 USD |
| 3 working days | 120 USD | 130 USD |
| 2 working days | 140 USD | 150 USD |
| 1 working day | 180 USD | 190 USD |
| 4 working hours | 220 USD | 230 USD |
3-Months Single Entry
| Processing Time | Tourist Visa | Business Visa |
| 4 working days | 90 USD | 100 USD |
| 3 working days | 110 USD | 120 USD |
| 2 working days | 130 USD | 140 USD |
| 1 working day | 170 USD | 180 USD |
| 4 working hours | 210 USD | 220 USD |
3-Months Multiple Entry
| Processing Time | Tourist Visa | Business Visa |
| 4 working days | 120 USD | 130 USD |
| 3 working days | 140 USD | 150 USD |
| 2 working days | 160 USD | 170 USD |
| 1 working day | 200 USD | 210 USD |
| 4 working hours | 240 USD | 250 USD |
Official base fees: 25 USD for single entry, 50 USD for multiple entry (excluding expedited and agency service fees).
Backpacker Budgeting Tip: If your itinerary is finalized, applying early for the 4-working-day option is most cost-effective. If your trip is decided last minute, consider expedited options. While multiple-entry costs more than single entry, entering and exiting Vietnam twice or more makes it cheaper than reapplying for two single-entry visas.
VIII. Entry Precautions
Electronic Arrival Card
Starting in 2026, major international airports fully implemented the Electronic Arrival Card (PAI). This is an independent declaration tool, separate from the E-Visa. Order: get visa first -> get visa number -> fill out arrival card.
Print Physical Copy
Some Vietnamese ports do not accept electronic files on mobile phones. Print your visa PDF in color on A4 paper and keep backups.
Transiting
If staying only in the international transit area without entering and under 24 hours, usually visa-free. If exiting to collect luggage, transferring to domestic flights, or exceeding 24 hours, you must obtain a visa in advance.
Visas Cannot Be Extended
E-Visas cannot be extended within Vietnam. If you wish to stay longer, you must exit and reapply, or apply for a 90-day visa from the start.
IX. Backpacker FAQs
Q: Do I need a visa when transiting through a Vietnamese airport?
If staying within the international transit area, not entering, and under 24 hours, usually no. But if you need to collect luggage or transfer to a domestic flight, you must apply in advance.
Q: Can I visit Da Nang on the Phu Quoc visa exemption?
No. Exemption is strictly limited to Phu Quoc Island. Itineraries covering Da Nang, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City require a full visa in advance.
Q: Is proof of financial means required to apply for an E-Visa?
No. Only a passport scan, ID photo, and Vietnam contact info are needed.
Q: How do I check the visa validity date?
The visa states an “Issue Date” and “Validity Start Date”; entry is only permitted on or after the start date. The intended entry date provided during application affects the start date; check it thoroughly upon receipt.
X. Contact Information
š§ Email: info@vietnam-visa.in
š¬ WeChat: vietnam-visa
š¬ LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX
š Online Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/apply-vietnam-visa/
ā” Rush Visa Service: https://www.vietnam-visa.in/boost-your-e-visa-application-form/
For backpackers, a visa isn’t a restriction, but a pass making your journey smoother. Once your visa is squared away, the only thing left to worry about is whether to spend an extra night in Hanoi or allocate that day to Hoi Anāa much more exciting question to ponder!
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