Vietnam's visa policy varies significantly by nationality, and specific rules, exempted countries and validity periods are updated periodically, so this page is a starting-point overview rather than a substitute for checking official, current sources close to your travel date.
The main options, broadly
Vietnam offers an e-visa system for eligible nationalities, applied for online in advance and generally allowing entry through major international airports including Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. A number of countries also have visa-exemption agreements allowing visa-free entry for short stays, with the exact list and permitted length of stay varying by country and subject to change. Traditional visa-on-arrival and embassy-issued visas remain options for some nationalities and trip types.
What to have ready when applying
Typically: a passport with at least six months' validity remaining and blank pages, a passport-style photo, and confirmed travel dates. E-visa processing usually takes a few business days, so it's worth applying well ahead of your trip rather than at the last minute.
Arriving at Tan Son Nhat
Have any visa approval documents (printed or digital, depending on current requirements) and your passport ready for immigration. Processing times vary with flight volume; arriving with paperwork already sorted, rather than seeking a visa-on-arrival stamp at the airport, is generally the smoother option where it's available to your nationality.
| Main options | E-visa, visa exemption (by nationality), embassy visa |
|---|---|
| Apply | Well before travel — processing takes several business days |
| Always check | Official government sources close to your travel date |