Vietnam has emerged as one of the most accessible Southeast Asian destinations for Indian travellers — and one of the easiest visa applications in the entire region. The Vietnam e-visa, now valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple-entry options, can be applied for entirely online in under 10 minutes. There is no embassy visit, no biometric appointment, no consulate queue. For Indian travellers comparing Vietnam against Schengen Europe, the differences are stark: a Vietnam e-visa costs roughly USD 25 ($25), processes in 3–5 working days, requires only a passport scan and a digital photo, and approves at over 97% for properly documented applications.

The August 2023 reforms — which extended e-visa validity from 30 days to 90 days and introduced multiple-entry options — transformed Vietnam from a "single short trip" destination into a viable base for multi-week tours, business travel, and even informal digital nomad stays. Indians can now plan 60-day combined Vietnam + Cambodia + Laos trips, multi-month exploration of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Sapa, and Phu Quoc, or repeat business visits without a fresh application each time.

This hub brings together every guide Atlys has on Vietnam visas for Indian travellers — e-visa applications, the difference between e-visa and visa on arrival (and why Atlys recommends one over the other), embassy tourist visas, transit rules, work and business visa categories, and the 27-country visa waiver list (which Indians are not on, so the e-visa remains essential).

Apply for your Vietnam e-visa through Atlys — application in under 10 minutes, 3–5 working day processing, 99.7% of Atlys customers receive their Vietnam visa on time, money-back protection on supported categories. Try the 90-day multiple-entry visa for the most flexible Vietnam access.

Why Vietnam Is the Easiest Major Asian Visa for Indians

For most Indian first-time international travellers, Vietnam offers the most frictionless paid visa experience available:

• Fully online application — no embassy visit, no biometric appointment, no in-person documentation

• Minimum documentation — passport scan and digital photo are the core requirements; no bank statements or employment letters needed for tourist e-visa

• Fast processing — 3–5 working days standard, with express options

• High approval rate — properly documented applications approve at over 97%

• Affordable fee — USD 25 (₹2,080) single-entry / USD 50 (₹4,160) multiple-entry

• Long validity — up to 90 days, ideal for extended trips or multi-month travel

• Multiple-entry option — allows multiple visits within the 90-day window

• Direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other major Indian cities to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang

• Currency advantage — the rupee buys substantially more in Vietnam than in Thailand or Singapore

For Indian travellers planning their first international trip, Vietnam is the soft-landing destination: low cost, easy visa, strong infrastructure, friendly to vegetarian diets (with some preparation), and plenty of English signage in tourist areas.

What's New for Vietnam Visas in 2026

A summary of the most relevant changes for Indian applicants:

• Vietnam e-visa validity extended to 90 days — from the previous 30 days. Implemented August 15, 2023, fully in effect for 2026.

• Multiple-entry e-visa option introduced — applicants can choose single-entry or multiple-entry at application time. Multiple-entry is highly recommended for Indian travellers planning multi-country Asia trips that may involve re-entering Vietnam.

• E-visa fee: USD 25 (₹2,080) single-entry / USD 50 (₹4,160) multiple-entry. Unchanged for 2026.

• VOA still requires approval letter — Vietnam Visa on Arrival is not a true VOA; it requires a pre-arranged approval letter obtained online. Atlys recommends the e-visa over VOA for simplicity.

• Vietnam Visa Waiver list — 27 countries currently enjoy visa-free entry to Vietnam, but India is not on this list. Indians need either an e-visa or approval letter for VOA.

• Eligible airports for e-visa entry — Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang International, and other major international airports. Plus designated land border crossings.

• Online application portal — applicants can apply through the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal or through Atlys for streamlined service

Vietnam Visa Categories for Indians

Vietnam E-Visa (Online — Recommended for Almost All Indian Travellers)

The default and best option for Indian tourist and business travel. Fully online; no embassy visit.

• Fee: USD 25 (₹2,080) single-entry; USD 50 (₹4,160) multiple-entry

• Validity: up to 90 days from issue date

• Stay: up to 90 days per entry

• Entries: single or multiple

• Processing: 3–5 working days

• Format: PDF document; printed copy carried to airport

• Eligible airports: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), Da Nang International, plus other designated entry points

• Best for: all Indian tourist and short business trips; multi-country Asia trips with re-entry to Vietnam

Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) — Approval-Letter Required

Despite the name, Vietnam VOA is not a true visa-on-arrival like Thailand's. Indian travellers must obtain an approval letter online before travel; the actual visa is then stamped at the airport.

• Fee: USD 25 (~₹2,080) for approval letter + USD 25 stamping fee at airport (cash, USD)

• Validity: depends on approval letter type (typically 30 days)

• Stay: up to 30 days

• Processing: approval letter 1–3 working days; stamping at airport on arrival

• Eligible airports: designated international airports only (not all)

• Critical requirement: approval letter must be printed and carried; no letter means deportation

• Atlys recommendation: for Indians, the e-visa is simpler, doesn't require airport queuing, and avoids the risk of stamping issues at the airport

Vietnam Tourist Visa (Embassy-Applied)

The traditional route — apply at the Vietnamese Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai/Chennai/Kolkata. Mostly displaced by the e-visa.

• Fee: USD 25 (₹2,081) for single-entry 30-day; USD 50 (₹4,160) for multiple-entry 3-month

• Validity: 30 days (single) or 3 months (multiple)

• Processing: 5 working days

• Required: in-person submission of passport at embassy/consulate

• Best for: applicants who specifically need a sticker visa (rare); applicants in regions where e-visa hasn't been popular

Vietnam Business Visa (DN)

For Indians visiting Vietnam for business activities — meetings, conferences, exploring opportunities.

• Fee: USD 50–80 (~₹4,160–₹6,650) depending on validity

• Validity: 1, 3, 6, or 12 months

• Stay: typically 30–90 days per entry

• Key requirements: business invitation letter from Vietnamese company, Indian employer letter

Vietnam Work Visa (LD)

For Indians taking up employment in Vietnam. Two-stage — work permit first, then work visa.

• Fee: USD 80+ (~₹6,650+)

• Validity: up to 2 years

• Pre-requisite: Vietnamese employer must obtain work permit for the Indian employee first

• Processing: work permit 7–14 days; visa stamping after

Vietnam Student Visa (DH)

For Indians enrolling in long-term study at Vietnamese institutions.

• Fee: USD 25–80 depending on validity

• Validity: linked to course duration

• Required: acceptance letter from Vietnamese institution

Vietnam Transit Visa

Technically, Vietnam doesn't have a separate "transit visa" — for layovers exceeding 24 hours or leaving the transit area, the e-visa is used. For layovers under 24 hours staying airside, no visa is needed.

• Fee: Same as e-visa, USD 25

• When required: layovers over 24 hours or needing to leave the transit area

• When not required: airside transit under 24 hours

Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption (Vietnamese Origin)

Available for Indians of Vietnamese origin (Việt kiều). Allows 6 months per visit over 5 years.

• Fee: USD 10 (~₹830)

• Eligibility: Vietnamese birth certificate, parents' Vietnamese documents, or other proof of Vietnamese origin

• Stay: 6 months per entry

Vietnam Visa Quick Reference

A summary of every Vietnam visa type Indian applicants might consider, with fees, processing time, validity, allowed stay, and best-fit traveller profile:

• E-Visa (Single-Entry) — USD 25 (~₹2,080); processed in 3–5 working days; 90-day validity; 90-day stay; best for standard tourist trips

• E-Visa (Multiple-Entry) — USD 50 (~₹4,160); processed in 3–5 working days; 90-day validity; 90 days per entry with multiple entries; best for multi-country Asia trips that re-enter Vietnam

• Visa on Arrival (VOA — Approval Letter + Airport Stamp) — USD 25 for approval letter + USD 25 stamping fee at airport (cash USD); approval letter in 1–3 working days plus airport processing; 30-day validity; 30-day stay; best for urgent travel (though e-visa is still preferred)

• Tourist Visa (Embassy-Applied) — USD 25–50; processed in 5 working days; 30-day single-entry or 3-month multiple-entry validity; up to 90-day stay; best for applicants who specifically need a passport sticker visa

• Business Visa (DN) — USD 50–80 (~₹4,160–₹6,650); processed in 5–7 working days; 1, 3, 6, or 12-month validity; 30–90 days per entry; best for business activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations)

• Work Visa (LD) — USD 80+ (~₹6,650+); issued after Vietnamese employer obtains work permit (7–14 days for permit, then visa stamping); up to 2-year validity; stay linked to contract duration; best for Vietnamese employment

• Student Visa (DH) — USD 25–80; processed in 5–10 working days; validity linked to course duration; stay linked to course duration; best for long-term study at Vietnamese institutions

• Transit (using E-Visa) — USD 25; processed in 3–5 working days; 90-day validity; brief transit stay; best for layovers exceeding 24 hours or where leaving the transit area is required

• 5-Year Visa Exemption (Vietnamese Origin) — USD 10 (~₹830); processed in 5–7 working days; 5-year validity; 6-month stay per entry; best for Indians of Vietnamese origin (Việt kiều)

Fees subject to revision. Always verify current rates on the Atlys application page.

Important: USD payments. Vietnam visa fees are paid in USD. The approval letter for VOA can be paid online, but the stamping fee at the airport is cash USD only. Carry USD cash if using VOA.

E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Atlys Strongly Recommends E-Visa

This is the single most common decision Indian travellers face for Vietnam. The answer is almost always the e-visa.

Why E-Visa Wins for Indians

1. No approval letter risk — Vietnam VOA requires a printed approval letter. Without it, you're denied boarding at the Indian airport or denied entry at the Vietnamese airport. Indian travellers have reported being deported because of missing or unaccepted approval letters.

2. No airport queuing — VOA stamping in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can take 1–3 hours during peak. E-visa holders skip this entirely.

3. No cash USD requirement — VOA stamping requires USD cash; ATMs at the airport may have issues. E-visa is paid online in advance.

4. Longer stay options — e-visa allows up to 90 days; VOA is typically capped at 30 days.

5. Better airport coverage — e-visa is accepted at more international airports than VOA.

6. Simpler documentation — e-visa needs passport scan and photo; VOA needs approval letter + stamping documents.

When VOA Might Be a Reasonable Choice

Only for truly last-minute travel where you don't have 3–5 days for e-visa processing. Even then, Atlys can typically process e-visa applications faster than the typical VOA approval letter timeline.

For all other cases — and especially for Indian first-time Vietnam visitors — the e-visa is the clearly better choice.

👉 Apply for your Vietnam e-visa with Atlys →

Featured Guides

E-Visa & Tourist

Vietnam Visa for Indians: Complete Guide The comprehensive Vietnam visa guide — every visa type, application processes, required documents, fees, and processing times for Indian passport holders.

Vietnam Tourist Visa for Indians: Application & Visa Fees The dedicated guide to applying for Vietnam tourist visas through the embassy and online. Includes Atlys application walkthrough, embassy application alternative, and side-by-side comparison.

E-Visa vs VOA

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa on Arrival for Indians The complete VOA guide — why an approval letter is required, what documents to carry, what happens at the airport, fee payment requirements, and why Atlys recommends the e-visa instead.

Transit

How to Get a Transit Visa for Vietnam The complete transit guide for Indians transiting through Vietnam — when a visa is needed (over 24 hours, leaving transit area), when it's not (under 24 hours airside), and how to apply the e-visa for transit purposes.

Vietnam Transit Visa Guide: Who Needs It & How to Apply Detailed coverage of Vietnam transit at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, and Da Nang international airports. Booking patterns, baggage check-through requirements, and tips for long layovers.

Visa Waiver

Vietnam Visa Waiver Countries in 2025 The complete list of 27 countries with visa-free entry to Vietnam — Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, UK, and others. Note: India is not on this list, so Indian travellers need an e-visa or approval letter for VOA.

Processing Time

How Long Does It Take for a Vietnam Visa to Process in India The complete processing time breakdown by visa type — e-visa (3–5 days), VOA approval letter (1–3 days), embassy tourist visa (5 days), business visa (5–7 days), work visa (after work permit, 7–14 days).

Direct Apply Pages

Vietnam Visa Application — Apply on Atlys The Atlys application page for Vietnam e-visa. Application in under 10 minutes, 3–5 working day processing, money-back protection.

Vietnam 90-Day Multiple-Entry Visa — Apply on Atlys The dedicated application page for the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa. Ideal for multi-country Asia trips, frequent business visitors, and extended Vietnam stays.

Cross-Country Context

Visa Rejection: Why Applications Get Refused & How to Recover The Atlys cross-country rejection guide — useful for understanding visa refusal patterns. Vietnam refusal rates are very low (<3% for properly documented applications), but the principles apply.

Document Checklist: Vietnam E-Visa for Indians

The Vietnam e-visa is the simplest major-country visa application Indians can do. The complete document list:

Required (just two items)

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity from arrival date and 1 blank page

• Digital passport-sized photograph (white background, JPEG format, clear face)

Application Information Needed

• Travel dates (arrival and departure)

• Purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit)

• Entry and exit ports

• Accommodation address in Vietnam (hotel name and address sufficient)

• Indian address

That's it. No bank statements, no employment letters, no flight bookings required for the tourist e-visa application. (Though carrying flight and hotel bookings to the airport is wise, in case airport immigration asks.)

What Atlys Handles for Vietnam Visa Applications

When you apply through Atlys:

• Application in under 10 minutes — passport scan via the Atlys app handles most form fields automatically

• Digital photo handled — the Atlys Photo Tool generates Vietnam-compliant photos in seconds

• Both single-entry and 90-day multiple-entry options available

• Document review by visa experts — completeness verified before submission

• Real-time tracking — clear status updates from submission to approval

• 99.7% of Atlys customers receive their Vietnam visa on time

• Money-back protection on supported categories — refund if your supported application is denied

• Family applications — apply for friends and family in the same session

• Secure document storage — your information saved (securely) for faster future applications

• Exclusive MakeMyTrip flight partnership — once your visa is approved, flights are one click away

👉 Apply for your Vietnam e-visa with Atlys — under 10 minutes →

When DIY Makes Sense

The official Vietnam e-visa portal is reliable and reasonably user-friendly. For confident applicants with simple itineraries, applying directly is entirely viable — the application takes 20–30 minutes if you're navigating the official portal for the first time.

Where Atlys adds value is in: form pre-fill from passport scan (saves 80% of typing time), photo compliance verification, document review, application tracking, and money-back protection. For travellers who value time savings and predictability, Atlys is genuinely useful even on a simple visa like Vietnam.

DIY becomes less advisable for: 90-day multiple-entry applications (more complex paperwork), business visas (require Vietnamese sponsor documents), work and student visas (require Vietnamese employer/institution coordination), or anyone with prior refusals from any country.

Related Hubs

• Thailand Visa Hub — for combined Vietnam + Thailand trips

• Singapore Visa Hub — for Singapore stopovers en route to Vietnam

• Australia Visa Hub — for trips combining Vietnam with Australia (Singapore VFTF works if you have Australian visa)

• Southeast Asia Visa Hub — for combined multi-country Asia trips

• Schengen Visa Hub — for Europe trips combining Vietnam with European destinations

• UK Visa Hub — for trips combining Vietnam with the UK

Tools You Can Use

• Visa Photo Creator — Vietnam-compliant photos in seconds

• Visa Requirements Checker — verify what visa you need

• Visa Rejection Recovery — identify refusal reasons and get a personalised reapplication plan

• Atlys Emergency Helpline — for urgent travel situations

👉 Apply for your Vietnam e-visa with Atlys — under 10 minutes, 99.7% on-time delivery →

👉 Or apply for the Vietnam 90-day multiple-entry visa →

This hub is updated regularly. Information is current as of 6 May 2026. Vietnam visa rules and fees change — always check the latest Vietnam Immigration Department guidance for your specific case. For personalised support, contact Atlys.