When planning your trip to Vietnam, one of the first questions you’ll face is “Should I apply for a Vietnam e-Visa or a Visa on Arrival?”
Both options are official and valid ways to enter Vietnam, but they differ in process, eligibility, and convenience. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best option for your travel plan — whether you’re entering by air, land, or sea.
Overview of Vietnam e-Visa and Visa on Arrival
Feature | Vietnam e-Visa | Visa on Arrival (VOA) |
Where to apply | Online via the Vietnam e-visa portal or a visa agent like Vietnam-visa.com | Apply online via a visa agent like Vietnam-visa.com for an approval letter, then pick up the visa on arrival at airport |
Who can apply | Citizens of all countries and territories | Citizens of eligible countries (most nationalities are accepted) |
Entry types | Air, land, and seaports | Airports only |
Validity | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry | Usually 30 days or 90 days, single or multiple entry |
Processing time | 3–5 business days (standard), 1 day or same day (urgent) | 2–3 business days or a few business hours (approval letter), then stamping on arrival |
Visa stamp | Received electronically (PDF) — no stamp at airport | Visa is stamped on arrival, after queueing and paying a stamping fee |
Payment | Paid online once | Paid twice – service fee online + stamping fee at the airport |
Entry points | 42 international airports, land and seaports accepting e-Visa | Only major international airports (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, etc.) |
Convenience | Fully online, no waiting at airport | Need to queue for visa stamping |
Best for | Tourists and business travelers entering via any border | Air travelers needing urgent visa |
What Makes the Vietnam e-Visa Better in 2025
Up to now, Vietnam expands the e-Visa system to all nationalities, making it the most convenient and widely accepted way to enter the country.
Here’s why most travelers now choose e-Visa:
- ✅ 100% online — no airport queue
You receive your visa approval as a downloadable PDF and go straight to Immigration. - 🌍 Works for all entry points — air, land, or sea.
Perfect for those arriving by bus from Laos or Cambodia, or by cruise. - 💳 One-time payment, no hidden fee
When applying through Vietnam-visa.com, all government and service fees are handled securely.
When to Consider Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Although the e-Visa is the preferred choice, the Visa on Arrival may still be helpful in a few cases:
- You enter by air and have very little time before travel and need a guaranteed approval letter immediately.
- You are familiar with Vietnam visa on arrival
If you fall into these categories, our team at Vietnam-visa.com can assist you with both e-Visa and VOA applications — whichever fits your needs best.
Final Tip
For most travelers today, the Vietnam e-Visa is the clear winner — faster, simpler, and accepted everywhere.
And if you want a smooth process for a visa to Vietnam, or you ever face a payment failure or system error, our Vietnam-visa.com team can help.
👉Submit your application here: https://apply.vietnam-visa.com/