Updated October 2026

Vietnam e-Visa vs visa on arrival: which one do you need?

Checked by Joey Visa Vietnam Team · October 2026

Both get you into Vietnam, but they work very differently. Here is how the Vietnam e-Visa and the visa on arrival compare on cost, stay, entry points and paperwork — and which one is right for your trip.

Quick answer

Choose the e-Visa if you can — it's fully online, valid up to 90 days, works at airports, land borders and seaports, and you skip the visa desk on arrival. Choose visa on arrival only if you can't get an e-Visa in time or your nationality has trouble getting one — it's airport-only and up to 30 days.

Vietnam e-Visa vs visa on arrival: side by side

	Vietnam e-Visa	Visa on arrival (VOA)
How you get it	Fully online — PDF by email	Approval letter by email, then the visa is stamped at the airport
Maximum stay	Up to 90 days	Up to 30 days
Entries	Single or multiple	As stated on the approval letter
Where you can enter	Airports, land borders and seaports	International airports only
Fees	US$25 / US$50 government fee, paid online. With Joey Visa: from US$45 all-in	Service fee for the letter, plus a stamping fee paid in cash (US dollars) at the airport
On arrival	Go straight to immigration	Queue at the landing-visa desk first
What to bring	Passport + e-Visa (printed or on your phone)	Passport, printed approval letter, arrival form, 2 passport photos, cash
Purpose	Tourism, business, family visits	Tourism
Best for	Most travellers	Last-minute trips and hard-to-approve nationalities

Choose the Vietnam e-Visa if…

You're staying longer than 30 days (up to 90)
You're crossing a land border from Cambodia, Laos or China, or arriving by cruise ship
You want to leave and come back (multiple entry)
You'd rather walk straight to immigration after a long flight

Apply for a Vietnam e-Visa

Choose visa on arrival if…

Your e-Visa was rejected or is stuck and you're flying soon
Your nationality struggles to get an e-Visa approved
You're flying into an international airport and staying 30 days or less

Get a visa on arrival letter

How Vietnam visa on arrival works

Visa on arrival is not "turn up and get a visa". You must have an approval letter before you board — airlines check it at check-in.

Step 1
Request the letter
Send your passport scan, flight and hotel details to a licensed travel company.
Step 2
Receive the approval
Vietnam Immigration issues the approval letter, sent to you by email. Print it.
Step 3
Go to the visa desk
On landing, hand in the letter, arrival form, passport and 2 photos at the landing-visa counter.
Step 4
Pay & get stamped
Pay the stamping fee in cash, receive your visa sticker, then go through immigration.

Want to skip the visa-desk queue? Add airport fast track — a staff member can meet you and help with the stamping process.

e-Visa vs visa on arrival FAQ

Which is better for Vietnam: e-Visa or visa on arrival?

For most travellers the e-Visa: it lasts up to 90 days, works at land borders and seaports as well as airports, and you skip the visa desk. Visa on arrival is the backup when an e-Visa isn't possible in time.

Can I get a visa on arrival in Vietnam without an approval letter?

No. You need the approval letter before you fly — airlines usually won't let you board without it or an e-Visa, unless your nationality is visa-exempt.

Can I use visa on arrival at a land border?

No. Visa on arrival only works at international airports. For land borders and seaports, use the Vietnam e-Visa.

Is visa on arrival faster than an e-Visa?

Not necessarily — an urgent e-Visa can be issued within 60 minutes on working days. Visa on arrival mainly helps when an e-Visa is rejected or stuck. See emergency options.

How much does a Vietnam visa on arrival cost?

You pay a service fee for the approval letter, plus a stamping fee in cash at the airport. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote for your nationality.