Vietnam 90-Day E-Visa for Indians: Eligibility, Fees & How to Apply (2026)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-06-26
Indian passport holders can get a Vietnam 90 days visa (e-visa), applied online at the official immigration portal, costing ₹2,410 (~25 USD), and usually processed within 3 business days. There is no visa-on-arrival fallback for Indian citizens, so the e-visa is your only realistic route for stays beyond 60 days.
This guide walks through the current Vietnam e-visa rules as of June 2026: who qualifies, the exact fee, processing times based on traveller reports, the official portal, and the photo specifications that trip most Indian applicants up. If your trip is shorter than 30 days, India and Vietnam periodically run visa-exemption programs, so check the current Vietnam visa-free entry policy before paying anything.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa required for Indians? | Yes, e-visa mandatory | , |
| Primary visa type | 90-day e-visa, multiple entry | ₹2,410 (~25 USD) |
| Fallback / alternative | None, no VoA for Indian passport | , |
| Processing time | 3 business days (standard), 1 day (urgent) | , |
| Validity / max stay | 90 days, single stay, multiple entries | , |
| Extension possible? | Yes, via Vietnam Immigration Department | ₹5,414 (~1,470,000 VND or ~$56.16) |
| Mandatory arrival form | None for e-visa holders | , |
Visa Types Compared
Vietnam runs a fairly simple visa system for Indian passport holders right now. Three categories exist; only one is viable for a 90-day tourist stay.
90-Day E-Visa (Primary)
This is the route almost every Indian traveller uses. Apply online at the official immigration portal, pay ₹2,410 (~25 USD), and receive an electronic visa by email. The visa grants a maximum stay of 90 days total with multiple entries allowed during the visa’s validity period (which runs 90 days from issuance, not from your date of entry). You can leave and re-enter as many times as you want within those 90 days. Photo specs: 4x6 cm, plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. The portal accepts JPEG files under 2 MB. Processing takes 3 business days on standard service, 1 business day if you pay the urgent fee.
The cost is the same whether you apply for 30 days or 90 days, so there’s no financial reason to under-apply. Many Indians who originally planned a 2-week Vietnam trip end up wishing they had the full 90 days when they realize how much ground there is to cover (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Dalat, Phong Nha caves).
Visa Exemption (Short Stays)
Vietnam signs bilateral visa-exemption agreements with around 13 countries, and India is on the list, but the terms vary. As of June 2026, Indian passport holders get 30-day visa-free entry for tourism under the most recent bilateral agreement, with the option to extend once for an additional 30 days. That gives you 60 days total without an e-visa. If your trip fits in 60 days and you don’t mind the shorter runway, you save the ₹2,410 (~25 USD) and the 3-day processing wait.
This is shorter than the 90-day e-visa, but the convenience is real: no application, no photo upload, no portal navigation. Travellers report they walk up to the immigration counter with their passport and a return ticket and get stamped in. For first-time visitors doing the standard Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route in 3 to 4 weeks, the exemption often covers the entire trip.
Visa-on-Arrival (Not Available)
Vietnam’s visa-on-arrival program exists, but India is not on the list of eligible nationalities for VoA. Indian passport holders must pre-apply for an e-visa or qualify for the visa exemption. Travellers report confusion here: some third-party websites sell “Vietnam visa-on-arrival letters” claiming to work for Indians, but at the airport, immigration will turn you away and send you back to the application portal. Don’t pay for these letters. The e-visa is your only paid option, and it’s straightforward.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If your trip is 60 days or less, skip the e-visa entirely and use the visa exemption. Pay only if you need the full 90 days.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Vietnam’s 90-Day E-Visa
The application is fully online, takes about 15 minutes, and you’ll get a printable visa by email. Here’s exactly how.
1. Prepare Your Documents
You’ll need a scan of your passport bio page (PDF or JPEG, under 2 MB), a digital photo matching the 4x6 cm specification (more on this below), a credit or debit card for the ₹2,410 (~25 USD) payment, and an active email address. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your planned entry date, and at least 2 blank pages.
A common mistake: uploading a passport scan cropped too tightly. Leave the entire bio page visible, including edges and any printed notes at the bottom. Immigration officers review these scans manually, and a tight crop gets flagged for re-submission.
2. Get the Photo Right
This is the #1 reason Indian applications get rejected. The portal checks photos automatically, and most rejections happen in under 10 seconds. Requirements:
- Dimensions: 4x6 cm (not 2x2 inches like US visa photos, not 35x45 mm like Schengen photos)
- Background: plain white, no shadows, no patterns
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months
- Format: JPEG, under 2 MB file size
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible (no glasses since 2022 for many Asian embassies, though Vietnam’s portal still accepts glasses)
- Head position: face fully visible, both ears visible
Many Indian passport photos are 35x45 mm (the Schengen standard) by default from Indian photo studios. You need to specifically request 4x6 cm. If you can’t find a studio, use the same shop and ask them to resize the digital file to 4x6 cm at 300 DPI. Travellers report getting rejected twice for size mismatches before learning this.
For detailed photo-spec breakdowns, see the Vietnam visa photo size guide for Indians.
3. Fill Out the Application
Go to the official portal: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Click the English-language button, then select “Apply for e-visa.” You’ll be asked for:
- Full name (as printed on passport, no transliteration differences)
- Date of birth
- Nationality (India)
- Passport number
- Passport issue and expiry dates
- Email address
- Purpose of entry (tourism)
- Intended entry date
- Intended entry checkpoint (airport or land border name)
- Temporary address in Vietnam (hotel name and city is fine)
Pay close attention to the entry checkpoint: you must select the specific airport or border crossing you plan to use. E-visas are tied to the checkpoint you declare. If you fly into Hanoi but select “Ho Chi Minh City airport” on the form, you’ll be turned away at immigration. Travellers report this catches people during multi-city itineraries.
The full application form takes about 10 to 12 minutes. Do not close the browser mid-application. If the session times out, you’ll need to restart.
4. Pay the Fee
The fee is $25 USD ($25 = ₹2,408 at current rates, 1 USD = ₹96.33). You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, or some Vietnamese bank cards. The portal accepts international debit cards, including Indian HDFC, ICICI, and SBI Visa/Mastercard debit cards (forex-enabled), though some travellers report their bank blocks the transaction as a flagged foreign merchant. If your card declines, try a different card or call your bank to whitelist Vietnamese transactions before retrying.
This fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected for photo or passport issues. The system does not process partial refunds.
5. Wait for Processing
Standard processing takes 3 business days from the moment you submit. Urgent processing takes 1 business day and costs an additional fee (paid separately). Real timeline data from traveller reports shows standard processing completes in 24 to 48 hours most of the time, but the official buffer is 3 days, and you should not book flights until the visa lands in your inbox.
If processing exceeds 3 business days, the portal sometimes has a “check status” function where you can enter your registration code and passport number to see where things stand. Travellers report the email notification sometimes lands in spam folders, so check there if it’s day 3 and nothing has arrived.
6. Print and Travel
Once approved, you’ll receive a PDF visa by email. Print at least 2 copies (one for immigration on arrival, one as backup). Some travellers save the PDF to their phone as a backup, but immigration officers at smaller airports (Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hai Phong) occasionally ask for a physical print. Border checks at land crossings (Lao Bao, Moc Bai) strictly require a printed copy.
For processing-time benchmarks, see the Vietnam visa processing time data from Indian travellers.
At the Airport / Border
At Vietnamese immigration (airport or land crossing), Indian e-visa holders are directed to the foreign passport line, which is typically to the right of the “Vietnamese citizens” lines. Have ready: your passport, your printed e-visa PDF, your hotel booking confirmation (printed or on phone), and your return flight ticket confirmation. Immigration officers occasionally ask for proof of onward travel, especially if your passport has limited visa history in other countries.
For airport arrivals, the immigration counter check is fast: the officer scans your passport, glances at the e-visa printout, asks your purpose of visit (just say “tourism”), and stamps you in. For land border crossings, the process is identical but the lines are longer and the documentation check more thorough. Land border e-visas work at designated checkpoints only; not every land crossing supports e-visa entry, even if it appears to be open to Vietnamese citizens.
You’re not required to fill out any arrival card or health declaration for e-visa entries. Vietnam ended its mandatory digital arrival form requirement for Indian citizens in 2024. If you’re arriving under the visa exemption instead of the e-visa, the same rules apply, no arrival form required.
Common questions at immigration: “How long are you staying?” (answer “60 days” if you’re using the full 90), “Where are you staying?” (hotel name is fine), “Are you travelling alone?” (yes / no / with family, no follow-up questions).
For the full breakdown of what happens at the airport for Indian citizens, see the Vietnam airport rules for Indians guide.
Extensions & Overstay
If you hit day 89 of your 90-day stay and want more time, extensions are possible but require a trip to a Vietnam Immigration Department office in person. The standard extension costs 1,470,000 VND ($60 USD approximately, 1 USD = 25,000 VND on the street rate), grants an additional 30 days, and takes 5 to 7 business days to process. You apply at the office, surrender your passport for the processing period, and pick it up when ready.
The major offices are in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. Travellers report the Da Nang office is the most foreigner-friendly and processes fastest. The Hanoi and HCMC offices handle hundreds of extensions daily, so expect a wait.
Overstaying your visa, even by 1 day, triggers a fine of ₹1,842 (~500,000 VND or ~$19.10) per day of overstay, plus potential blacklisting from future Vietnam entry for up to 3 years. The fine is paid at the airport before departure, and the overstay is recorded in Vietnam’s immigration database. Travellers report being pulled aside for the overstay payment even when it was a 24-hour discrepancy.
Serious overstays (months, not days) lead to deportation proceedings, detention at a holding facility near the airport, and a formal entry ban that’s enforced at all Vietnam borders for the duration of the ban.
Common Mistakes & Rejection Reasons
Photo Spec Mismatch
This is the top rejection cause. Wrong size (35x45 mm instead of 4x6 cm), wrong background color (light grey, beige, or blue instead of white), or shadow across the face. The portal’s auto-checker catches these in seconds. Have a passport photo studio resize to 4x6 cm and confirm the background is pure white before uploading.
For the full photo rejection checklist, see Vietnam visa photo size for Indians.
Passport Validity Below 6 Months
If your passport expires within 6 months of your intended entry date, the application is auto-rejected. Many Indians carry passports close to expiry; double-check yours and renew before applying if you’re under 6 months.
Wrong Entry Checkpoint
Selecting the wrong airport or land border on the application form. E-visas are checkpoint-specific; arriving at a different one leads to a denied entry and a wasted ₹2,410 (~25 USD).
Name Mismatch with Passport
Aadhaar-registered names sometimes have middle names, spellings, or initials that don’t match the passport exactly. Enter the name exactly as printed on the passport bio page, character for character. Indian middle initials and patronymics vary; if your passport shows “RAJESH KUMAR” with no middle name, do not add the middle name from your Aadhaar. Mismatches trigger manual review or rejection.
Third-Party Visa Websites
Travellers report paying inflated fees to “Visa on Arrival” or “e-Visa assistance” sites that turn out to be the official portal with a markup. Always apply directly at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. You’ll get the same visa for ₹2,410 (~25 USD) without middleman risk.
For more on rejection rates by nationality, see Vietnam visa rejection stats for Indians.
Getting Connected
The moment you clear immigration, you’ll need data to call your hotel, find the airport taxi rank, or pull up your next booking. The cheapest option at Vietnamese airports is a tourist SIM from Viettel or Mobifone. A 14-day tourist SIM with about 6 GB of data costs ₹479 (~130,000 VND or ~$4.97). Available at the airport kiosk just after baggage claim; you’ll need your passport and the staff will activate it on the spot. Data works nationwide including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and the beach towns.
If you’d rather not wait in line at the airport or want data the moment you land, get a Nomad eSIM before you fly. You install the eSIM at home, it activates when you arrive in Vietnam, and you skip the airport SIM queue entirely. Good backup if the kiosk line at Hanoi airport is 20 people deep.
FAQ
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Vietnam in 2026?
Yes, for stays beyond 30 days. Indian passport holders get 30-day visa-free entry under the bilateral exemption agreement, extendable once for 30 more days. For stays up to 60 days, skip the visa. For stays up to 90 days or multiple entries, apply for the e-visa.
How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost for Indians?
₹2,410 (~25 USD) per person, regardless of stay duration (30, 60, or 90 days). There is no discount for shorter stays and no family/group rate.
How long does the Vietnam e-visa take to process for Indian applicants?
Standard processing is 3 business days, urgent is 1 business day. Travellers report most standard applications land in 24 to 48 hours, but the official buffer is 3 days, so don’t book flights earlier than that.
Can Indians get a Vietnam visa on arrival?
No. Vietnam’s visa-on-arrival program does not include Indian passport holders. If you arrive without a pre-approved e-visa and you’re outside the 30-day exemption, you’ll be turned around at immigration. The third-party “VoA letter” services you see online are scams for Indian applicants.
What photo size does Vietnam’s e-visa require for Indian applicants?
4x6 cm, plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. This is different from the Schengen 35x45 mm and US 2x2 inch standards. Most Indian photo studios default to 35x45 mm, so request the 4x6 cm size explicitly.
How many entries does the Vietnam 90-day e-visa allow?
Multiple entries. You can leave Vietnam and re-enter as many times as you want within the visa’s 90-day validity. However, your cumulative stay cannot exceed 90 days total. Once you’ve used 90 days inside Vietnam on that visa, you must apply for a new one.
Can I extend my Vietnam e-visa as an Indian citizen?
Yes, for an additional 30 days, via the Vietnam Immigration Department office. Costs ₹5,414 (~1,470,000 VND or ~$56.16) and takes 5 to 7 business days. Only one extension per visa is allowed.
Subodh’s Take
Apply directly at the official portal. Do not pay third-party “visa service” markups that resubmit the same form for you. The portal is bilingual, processes cards from Indian banks, and the photo is the only real hurdle. If you have a working passport with 6+ months validity, a 4x6 cm white-background photo, and 15 minutes, you’ll have your visa in your inbox in 3 days, possibly less. Skip the e-visa entirely if your trip is 60 days or shorter; the 30+30 visa exemption covers it for free.
For broader Vietnam trip planning beyond the visa, the Vietnam visa hub for Indian passport holders covers all visa routes side by side, and the step-by-step e-visa walkthrough has screenshots of every form field if you want a visual guide alongside this text-only version. Pair this with our Southeast Asia backpacking hub for the multi-country route through Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
