Planning a family vacation to Vietnam—from the ancient charm of Hanoi to the magnificent landscapes of Ha Long Bay, and from the Golden Bridge in Da Nang to the lantern-lit night views of Hoi An—should be a joyful and relaxing experience. However, if you discover right before departure that the electronic visas for your family members haven’t been approved yet, or that someone’s application is stuck on the screen, it can instantly turn into a stressful nightmare.
The good news is that in 2027, the Vietnam E-Visa process is entirely online, allowing the whole family to get their visas sorted out together right from home. This article is specially designed for family tours, parent-child trips, and multi-generational travel, covering everything from children’s visa rules and group application tips to airport immigration strategies.
I. Essential Knowledge for Family Travel: 2027 Vietnam E-Visa Policy Highlights
- Maximum Stay of 90 Days: The E-Visa validity can be up to 90 days, with options for single or multiple entry. For families planning an in-depth tour of Vietnam, a 90-day multiple-entry visa is the best choice.
- Customizable Visa Start Date: You can specify the visa’s starting date during application, making it easy to synchronize the entry time for the entire family.
- ⚠️ Important Children’s Visa Rules: This is the most common pitfall for family travel. The current rules are as follows:
- If children share a passport with parents (under 14 years old): Parents must fill out their children’s details simultaneously when applying for their own E-Visa.
- If children hold independent passports: Regardless of age, even an infant who is only 42 days old must submit a separate electronic visa application and pay the same fee as an adult.
- Almost all Chinese children now hold independent passports, meaning every family member must apply for a separate E-Visa during family trips.
- Phu Quoc Island Visa-Exemption Exception: If your family itinerary is strictly limited to Phu Quoc Island and you fly directly to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), you can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption. Requirements include: passport validity of at least 6 months, return or onward tickets to a third country, and direct flights without transferring through mainland Vietnam.
II. Family Visa Fees Overview (2027)
The fees below include agency and visa processing fees, guaranteeing successful and punctual issuance with a full refund if unsuccessful. Each family member must pay separately.
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 Fee: 25 USD for single entry, 50 USD for multiple entry (excluding expedited and agency service fees).
- Family Budget Suggestion: For a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) choosing the 3-month multiple-entry 4-working-day option at 120 USD per person, the total family cost is 480 USD. It is recommended to apply at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid extra fees caused by urgent processing.
III. Common Visa Challenges Faced During Family Travel
Challenge 1: Tedious and Error-Prone Multi-Person Data Entry
When traveling as a family, one person often takes charge of filling out passport details for everyone. If even a single family member’s birthdate or passport number has a typo, the entire group’s application can get stuck in manual review. It is recommended to create a family member data sheet and cross-check every item before submitting online.
Challenge 2: Delays Due to Public Holidays
If your family trip happens to fall right around Vietnamese national holidays or weekends, official processing completely halts. If the plane tickets for elderly family members and children are invalidated as a result, the losses can be severe. It is recommended to apply at least 5 to 7 working days in advance, avoiding Vietnamese holidays.
Challenge 3: Heavy Physical Burden of Queuing for Immigration
Upon arriving at Vietnamese airports, facing massive crowds and long immigration queues can test the physical stamina of seniors and young children. Chinese passport holders also need to visit the “Visa on Arrival” counter to exchange for a loose-leaf visa, which can extend waiting times even further.
IV. Step-by-Step Application Guide (Seven Major Steps)
- Step 1: Access the Application Website Go to the official Vietnam Immigration Department 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 agreement box, and enter the official application page.
- Step 3: Upload Photos and Passport Scans sequentially upload compliance-ready ID photos and passport information page scans. Family Travel Reminder: Every family member (including children) must prepare their own photos and passport scans. Children’s photos also require a 4×6 cm size, white background, frontal view, no glasses, and visible ears.
- Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application Form (All in English) Family Travel Filling Essentials:
- Each family member must fill out a separate application form.
- Select “Tourism” as the purpose of visit.
- Fill in the name and address of the first night’s hotel under the Vietnam contact information field (the whole family can use the same hotel).
- Name spelling must match the passport exactly, including children’s names.
- The port of entry must match the actual arrival airport; the entire family should select the same port.
- Step 5: Review and Submit Data Double-check all filled content before submission. It is recommended that one person fills it out and another checks it to lower error rates.
- Step 6: Online Payment Complete the payment using a credit card; international payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, and JCB are supported. Pay separately for each family member, or handle them uniformly through the agency website.
- Step 7: Wait for Review and Receive Visa Once approved, the visa PDF will be sent to your provided email address. Each family member will receive an independent visa PDF—please be sure to print them out in color on A4 paper, one copy per person.
V. Exclusive for Family Travel: Airport Immigration & Loose-Leaf Visa
Loose-Leaf Visa Process
Family members holding Chinese mainland passports must head to the “Visa on Arrival” counter upon arriving at a Vietnamese airport to collect their loose-leaf visa free of charge. Every family member, including children, must bring two 2-inch white-background photos.
VIP Airport Fast-Track Service (Strongly Recommended)
To save seniors and kids from the fatigue of long lines, it is strongly recommended to add the VIP Airport Fast-Track service (45 USD per person):
- Dedicated staff greeting the family right at the aerobridge gate.
- Escorting you through the premium VIP lane for rapid clearance.
- Dedicated assistance with luggage retrieval. Ensuring your family vacation starts smoothly and comfortably right from the moment you exit the plane.
VI. 5 Important Precautions for Family Applications
- Verify Official Websites to Avoid Scams Official electronic visa websites end with
.gov.vn. Watch out for imitation websites ending in.com,.org, or.net. - Children’s Visa Rules: Independent Passport = Independent Visa As long as a child holds an independent passport, regardless of age, they must apply for an E-Visa individually. Do not assume that “babies are too young to need a separate visa.” Under current rules, an independent passport means an independent visa.
- Strict Photo Specifications, a Primary Reason for Rejection Standard domestic 2-inch photos (3.5×4.9 cm) do not meet Vietnamese standards and must be re-cropped to 4×6 cm. Children’s photos likewise require a pure white background with no shadows, the head occupying 70-80% of the frame, frontal view without headwear, eyes open, natural expression, and no glasses or hats.
- Ports of Entry Cannot Be Changed Approved visas will specify the designated port of entry, which cannot be modified. If the port is entered incorrectly, the entire family may be denied boarding or entry. Always confirm that the entry port matches across all family members’ visas prior to departure.
- Electronic Visa Entry: Be Sure to Print Hard Copies Some Vietnamese ports of customs do not accept digital versions shown on mobile phones. It is recommended to print each family member’s electronic visa PDF in color on A4 paper and store it alongside their respective passports.
VII. Family Travel Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: Do children need to apply for a visa separately? It depends on the passport type. If a child shares a passport with parents (usually under 14 years old), they can be included when parents apply. If the child holds an independent passport (which almost all Chinese children do now), they must apply for an E-Visa separately, with the same fee as an adult.
- Q2: Can the whole family’s visas be applied for together? Each family member must submit a separate E-Visa application; they cannot be merged into a single document. However, you can submit everyone’s data uniformly through an agency website for easier management.
- Q3: Will queuing for immigration with seniors and kids take a long time? Chinese passport holders need to go to the “Visa on Arrival” counter to exchange for a loose-leaf visa, which can involve longer wait times. It is strongly recommended to purchase the VIP Airport Fast-Track service so dedicated staff can assist with quick clearance and reduce waiting times for the young and elderly.
- Q4: Phu Quoc Island is visa-exempt; can the family visit Da Nang along the way? No. The visa exemption policy for Phu Quoc applies exclusively to that island. If your itinerary includes other regions of Vietnam as well, the entire family must apply for valid Vietnam visas in advance.
- Q5: What should I do if the visa information was filled out incorrectly? Once the visa is issued, the official system cannot modify it online. Errors in names, passport numbers, birthdates, ports of entry, etc., will render that visa completely invalid, requiring a fresh application. Double-check everything carefully before submission.
VIII. Contact Information
If you have any visa questions or require emergency assistance, you can directly contact the visa experts:
- 📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.tw
- 💬 WeChat: vietnam-visa
- 💬 LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX
- 🌐 Online Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
- ⚡ Expedited Service: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/boost-e-visa/
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