Vietnam is a top tourist destination for many Australians. Visa for Vietnam is required when visiting for tourism purposes. Our complete guide for Australians visiting Vietnam, will explain the easy process of obtaining the Vietnam e-visa and the Vietnam Visa on Arrival.
There are other visas available for working and business, but the purpose of this article is for Australian passport holders visiting Vietnam for tourism.
With bustling cities, white sandy beaches and easy access with daily flights from major Australian cities, it’s little wonder Australians are attracted to Vietnam.
What types of Vietnam visa for Australians are available?
UPDATE: Vietnam has currently suspended the Visa on Arrival. At present the only option available is the e-Visa for 30 days. It is hoped the Visa on Arrival and 90 day visa will be reinstated in the future.
There are two types of visas available. The Vietnam e-visa which allows up to 30 days with single entry and the Vietnam visa on arrival, which can allow stays up to 90 days with multiple entries. Below we explain the differences between the different types of Vietnamese visa for Australians.
Both visas can be applied for online and our recommended company is iVisa. We have used iVisa personally and can vouch that they are a reputable company. Beware, there are many companies online all claiming to give reputable advice but unfortunately not all companies offer the same level of service and prices vary widely between agencies.
Which type of Vietnam Visa is right for me?
The length of stay largely determines what type of visa is best. If you’re visiting Vietnam for a stay of up to 30 days and will be spending all your time in Vietnam, you can opt for either the e-visa or the visa on arrival.
Visiting Vietnam for up to 30 days multiple entry.
If you are travelling to Vietnam for up to 30 days and intend exiting Vietnam and returning within that same 30 day period, you will need the “visa on arrival”. The e-visa is a single entry only.
Visiting Vietnam for longer than 30 days.
If you are applying for stays in Vietnam for more than 30 days, then your only choice is the visa on arrival. This visa allows for stays up to 90 days with either a single entry or multiple entry into Vietnam.
Here are Vietnam visa options 1 and 2
e-Visa
30 day maximum stay in Vietnam
Single entry only
100% online
Visa on Arrival
30 to 90 days maximum stay in Vietnam
Single or Multiple entry
Visa issued upon arrival
Option 1 – Vietnamese e-Visa
How to get a Vietnam e-Visa for Australians
Application for the e-visa can be made 100% online. You no longer need to visit an embassy or send your passport away for processing. This type of visa was introduced in 2017 to facilitate quicker entry into Vietnam and it’s a relatively simple process if you use a service such as iVisa.
Firstly, you apply online selecting the eVisa option. This is the screenshot from the iVisa website.
After selecting eVisa this is a the next page of information required during the Vietnam eVisa application process.
Additional documents required during the online application are a digital scan of your passport photo page, a digital photo and online payment via PayPal or Credit Card.
When approved you will receive a letter in PDF format via email which needs be printed and shown at immigration upon entry into Vietnam.
It is also likely you will be asked to show this letter when you check in for your flight. For entry into Vietnam your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after arrival. The advantage of the e-visa is that when arriving into Vietnam you can go straight to the immigration line with your passport and the approval letter. You do not need to go to the visa on arrival counter.
The e-visa is the easiest option provided you’re only staying up to 30 days and don’t need to leave and re-enter Vietnam.
Option 2 – Visa on Arrival
How to get the Vietnam Visa on Arrival for Australians.
The visa on arrival is our preferred option as we often visit Vietnam for periods of longer than 30 days and sometimes need the flexibility of being able to leave and re-enter. Our last visit had us travelling from the North of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho An, Nha Trang, Da Lat and down to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is one of our favourite countries and during our travels we met many Australians who visit Vietnam annually.
The steps involved are as follows.
- Apply online for an approval to enter Vietnam
- Receive approval letter
- Present the approval letter, along with a completed visa application document and your passport at the visa on arrival counter when you arrive into Vietnam before going through immigration.
- Pay stamping fee $25 USD for single entry or $50 USD for multiple entry.
- Receive your passport back with the visa inserted and then go through immigration.
Our preferred visa company is iVisa and this is the steps involved with iVisa.
Firstly, you apply online selecting the visa on arrival option. This is the screenshot from the iVisa website.
You are then asked to enter personal details including intended arrival date, Airport of arrival into Vietnam, personal and passport information and the type of visa required. Your options are
- 30 days single entry
- 90 days single entry
- 30 days multiple entry
- 90 days multiple entry
Once the required fields are completed and processing fee is paid (options are PayPal or Credit Card) you will receive an email advising the status of your application. We have found the approval time with iVisa to be quick and with our last application we received it within a few hours. Very happy with the service and professionalism of iVisa.
Once finalised you will receive an email with a PDF attached which is the visa on arrival approval. The letter will have your name and passport information granting you entry. Note: that this is not the actual Visa just the approval to enter. Also don’t be alarmed if the letter has other people’s names as well, that is quite common. Just check that your name and passport details are correct.
This is what the letter looks like.
You need to print this letter and take it with you to Vietnam along with 2 passport size photos. You will also need to complete a document that has to be presented upon arrival. This document can be downloaded from iVisa (they will send a link with the approval letter) or, it can be filled out when you arrive into Vietnam at the visa counter.
Our suggestion is to just download it before leaving home and fill it out prior to leaving, as that will save time. Normally when you arrive, you’re tired and the last thing you need is to stand around completing paperwork.
This is what the 2 page Vietnamese Visa on arrival application form looks like.
When you arrive into Vietnam and disembark the aircraft head straight to the visa on arrival desk which is located near the immigration desk. Do not go to immigration yet.
At the visa on arrival desk you will be asked to provide the following.
- Your Passport.
- The letter granting you permission to enter Vietnam.
- The completed visa application form shown above. (If you didn’t download and complete it before leaving home don’t worry as these forms are at the desk)
- Passport size photo per application.
You will then be asked to take a seat while they process your visa. Depending on how many others are at the counter this could take up to 30 minutes. Especially at some of the larger airports such as Ho Chi Minh City.
When your visa is ready, they will call you back to the desk. (some of the larger airports have TV screens that display your photo when it’s ready)
Proceed back to the desk to collect your passport. You will then need to pay a stamping fee which is $25 USD for single entry, or $50 USD for multiple entry per applicant. Please be aware that they insist on US dollars and do not accept credit card.
Once you receive your passport back check the visa to make sure everything is correct then proceed to the immigration counter.
Once through collect your luggage and exit.
Quick facts on Vietnam Visa for Australians
Yes, a tourist visa is required. If your visit is for tourism purposes, you have the option of a 1 or 3 month visa. Single or multiple entry.
Vietnam visa on arrival is only available upon arrival into Vietnam by air at the following international airports.
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
DaNang Airport (DaNang)
Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong)
Cam Ranh Airport (Nha Trang)
The stamping fee for the Vietnam visa on arrival, payable upon arrival into Vietnam is $25 USD for a single entry vias and $50 USD for multiple entry visa. Payment is preferred in USD and credit card may not be accepted. ATM’s are not available in the customs area.
The Vietnam e-Visa can be extended within Vietnam but will require being invited/sponsored by an authority, organisation or individual within Vietnam. Application can be made through a guaranteeing agency or organisation in Vietnam.
Last words on Australians Visa for Vietnam
Australians travelling to Vietnam continues to increase each year and official records have the annual number in excess of 300,000 per year. The Vietnam visa application for Australians has been made very easy with companies such as iVisa who take the guesswork out of applying.
Did you get your Vietnam visa online? We would love to hear about your experience.
When planning your visit you may also be interested in our detailed Vietnam travel guides.
How to best spend 2 days in Hanoi
Visiting An Bang Beach Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City guide and our review of the Grand Hotel Saigon
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