Vietnam entry requirements for Australia passport holders
Verified May 11, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
From 2026, Australian passport holders need a valid e-visa to visit Vietnam. There is no visa-free entry. Apply online before you travel. The e-visa allows a single entry stay of up to 30 days. Processing takes a few business days, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply online before travel | Apply at the official Vietnam eVisa portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The fee is $25 USD for single or multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3 working days — do not book flights until you receive approval.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for 6 months beyond departure | Your Australian passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your departure date from Vietnam. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket ready — they will deny entry without it. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Keep a copy of your hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Officers rarely ask, but having it avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash or bank statement | Carry at least $500 USD equivalent in cash or have a bank statement showing sufficient funds. Officers may ask to see it if you look underprepared. | Recommended |
Print your e-visa – no digital copies accepted
Immigration officers in Vietnam require a physical printed copy of your e-visa approval. Having it on your phone will not work; you'll be sent to the visa on arrival counter and asked to pay extra. Print at least two copies: keep one with your passport and a spare in your luggage.
E-visa is only for certain entry points
Not all border crossings accept e-visas. Stick to major international airports and the official list of land borders (like Moc Bai, Lao Cai, Tay Ninh). Crossing at a different point may result in denial. Check the official list before you book flights.
Overstaying = fines and possible ban
Even one day over your e-visa validity can result in a fine of about $30–50 USD per day overstayed. Serious overstays (more than a few days) can get you blacklisted from re-entering Vietnam. Set a reminder to leave on time.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for e-visa online
Go to the official Vietnam e-visa portal (https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or a reliable agency. Fill in your personal details, passport info, intended entry and exit dates, and upload a passport-style photo and a scan of your passport data page. Pay the fee (about $25 USD via the government site) and submit. Processing takes 3–5 business days, so apply at least a week before departure.
2
Receive and print your e-visa
Check your email (including spam folder) for the e-visa approval letter or the official e-visa PDF. It will have a reference number and QR code. Print two colour copies on A4 paper – one to hand over at immigration and a backup. Keep them with your passport.
3
Arrive at a Vietnamese airport or border checkpoint
E-visas are accepted at all international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc.) and many land border crossings (e.g. Moc Bai, Lao Cai). After landing, follow signs to 'Foreign Passports' and join the queue. Have your passport, printed e-visa, and any supporting documents (return ticket, hotel booking) ready. The officer will check, stamp your passport, and return everything – no extra payment required.
4
Keep documents safe during your stay
Carry your passport and printed e-visa with you at all times in Vietnam. Hotels will need to scan your passport upon check-in. Don't lose the printed e-visa – you may need it for domestic flights or police checks.
Download Vietnam Entry Checklist
PDF · Australia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 11, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, 1 month)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity1 month from issue date
Cost$25 USD (approx. AUD 38)
Standard option; can extend once for 30 days.
Tourist visa (multiple entry, 1 month)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity1 month from issue date
Cost$50 USD (approx. AUD 76)
Ideal for regional travel; extension possible.
Tourist visa (multiple entry, 3 months)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$95 USD (approx. AUD 145)
Best for longer stays; must apply via embassy or agent.
Business visa (multiple entry, 3 months)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$120 USD (approx. AUD 183)
Requires company invitation letter; suitable for work-related visits.
work visa
Work Visa (LD1/LD2)
1–2 years, renewable
~$100–$200 USD (processing fee)
For those with a job offer in Vietnam. Requires employer sponsorship, work permit, and relevant qualifications. Allows long-term residence.
investor visa
Investor Visa (DT1–DT4)
1–5 years, renewable
~$500–$1,000 USD (processing fee)
For investors with capital of at least $50,000 USD in a Vietnamese business. Higher investment amounts yield longer validity. Includes family members.
retirement visa
Retirement Visa (TT – Temporary Residence Card)
1–3 years, renewable
~$200–$500 USD (processing fee)
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. $1,000 USD/month). Requires a local sponsor or property lease. Allows long-term stay.
student visa
Student Visa (DH)
Duration of study program, renewable
~$50–$100 USD (processing fee)
For those enrolled in a Vietnamese educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| eVisa (single entry, up to 30 days)Standard fee for Australian passport holders; non-refundable if denied. | $25 USD (approx. AUD 38) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 1 month)Available via embassy or agent; same as eVisa cost. | $25 USD (approx. AUD 38) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 1 month)Allows multiple entries within validity. | $50 USD (approx. AUD 76) |
| Stay extension (per month)Extension possible up to 3 months via immigration office or agent. | $10 USD (approx. AUD 15) |
| Overstay fine (per day)Capped at $75 USD for short overstays; higher for longer periods. | $15 USD (approx. AUD 23) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Vietnam
No transit visa needed
Australian passport holders transiting through Vietnam's international airports (e.g., Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat) do not need a visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward flight within 24 hours. No visa is required for same-day connections.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa is required.
- Transit through domestic airports requires a visa.
Transit hubsNoi Bai International Airport (HAN) – Hanoi · Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) – Ho Chi Minh City · Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Da Nang
Health & vaccines for Vietnam
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa and South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Dengue FeverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in rural highland areas; low in cities and coastal resorts.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; practice safe eating and drinking habits.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk is present in rural areas, especially in the highlands (e.g., Da Lat, Sapa). Prophylaxis recommended for rural travel; not needed for cities or coastal resorts.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Hanoi
Hanoi Immigration Office
44 Tran Phu, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
Bring passport, visa, TM.7 form, 1 photo, and extension fee in cash.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City Immigration Office
333 Nguyen Trai, District 1
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
Popular for extensions; arrive early to avoid queues.
Practical information for AU travellers
Country basics
CapitalHanoi
LanguageVietnamese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencyVietnamese Dong (VND)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 26,229.01 VND
Time zone
Local timeUTC+7
vs New York+12h (EST) / +11h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+15h (PST) / +14h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,CType A, C, F — US plugs (Type A) fit some sockets. Bring an adapter.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Vietnam
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Vietnam — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Not for Australians. Visa on arrival (VOA) requires a pre-approved letter from an agency, which is essentially the same as an e-visa but processed by a third party. The standard e-visa is the direct official route, cheaper and simpler. Skip VOA agencies unless you are on a tight timeline and need express service.
Official processing time is 3 business days, but it can take up to 5. The fee is $25 USD if you apply via the government portal. Some agencies charge more for faster service (e.g. 1–2 days for $50–70). Always use the official site or a highly reviewed agency to avoid scams.
No. The standard e-visa is for a single entry of up to 30 days and cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Vietnam and re-apply for a new e-visa or obtain a different visa type (like a tourist visa through a Vietnamese embassy before travel). Overstaying results in fines (about $30–50 USD per day) and potential bans.
All international airports (Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, etc.) and many land border crossings. The official list includes Moc Bai (Cambodia), Lao Cai (China), and 13 others. Check the Vietnam Immigration Department website for the full list before choosing your entry point.
Yes, the e-visa application asks for your intended address in Vietnam (hotel name, street, city). You don't need a full itinerary, but provide the address of your first hotel. At immigration, they rarely ask for the booking, but it's smart to have it handy.
You must enter and exit through the same checkpoint listed on your e-visa application. If you change your plans, you need to apply for a new e-visa with the correct entry point. Some flexibility is allowed for land borders if you have the same entry/exit type, but to be safe – stick to the one you declared.
Yes. Count 6 months from your planned departure date from Vietnam. If your passport expires earlier than that, renew your passport first before applying for the e-visa. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 11, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.