A visa is the one part of a trip that cannot be fixed on the day you arrive, so it is worth sorting out early. If you are planning to combine Vietnam with Cambodia or Laos, you may need three different visas, each with its own rules. This guide explains how visas for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos work, where to apply safely, and the mistakes we see most often.
Visa rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time. We have deliberately left out exact fees and lists of countries, which can go out of date quickly. Always check the official government website for your passport before you book flights.
Vietnam visa
Visa exemption
Citizens of a number of countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for a limited stay. The list and the length of stay change from time to time, so check whether your passport is included and how many days you are allowed. If your trip is longer than the exemption, you will need an e-visa.
Vietnam e-visa
Most travellers apply for an electronic visa online before they fly. The official portal is run by the Vietnam Immigration Department at evisa.gov.vn. At the time of writing, the e-visa is open to all nationalities and can be issued for single or multiple entries, for stays of up to 90 days.
- Apply at least one to two weeks before you travel, and earlier around Tet and other busy holidays.
- Upload a clear passport photo page and a recent portrait photo with a plain background.
- Make sure your name, date of birth and passport number match your passport exactly.
- Choose the correct entry and exit points, such as Noi Bai airport in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat in Saigon. If you plan to leave by land or by boat to Cambodia, select that border.
- Print your approval letter and keep a copy on your phone.
Be careful with look-alike websites. Many agencies copy the design of the official portal and charge several times the official fee. The official address ends in .gov.vn.
Cambodia visa
Most visitors need a visa for Cambodia. Many nationalities can choose between an e-visa, applied for online through the official portal evisa.gov.kh, and a visa on arrival at the international airports and main land border crossings. The tourist visa usually allows a stay of 30 days.
- The e-visa is convenient, but it is not accepted at every land border. If you travel by boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, check that your crossing accepts it.
- For a visa on arrival, bring a passport photo and the fee in US dollars, ideally in clean, new notes.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months and have blank pages.
Many of our guests travel from Vietnam to Cambodia by speedboat on the Mekong, a beautiful way to arrive. Read more in our guide to crossing between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Laos visa
Laos also offers an e-visa for many nationalities through its official portal, laoevisa.gov.la, as well as a visa on arrival at international airports such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane and at some land borders. Citizens of some ASEAN countries do not need a visa for short stays. A tourist visa usually allows 30 days.
As with Cambodia, e-visas are only accepted at certain entry points, so make sure your arrival airport or border is on the list before you apply.
Our tip
Keep a printed copy and a photo on your phone of every visa and approval letter, plus two or three spare passport photos. A small amount of US dollars in clean notes is useful at land borders in Cambodia and Laos.
Passport checklist
- Valid for at least six months after you leave the last country on your trip.
- At least two or three blank pages, more if you visit several countries.
- Not damaged: torn or water-stained passports can be refused at borders.
- The same passport you used for all your visa applications.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying through an unofficial website and paying much more than necessary.
- Choosing the wrong entry point on an e-visa, especially for land or river borders.
- Booking a single-entry Vietnam visa when you plan to leave and come back, for example after a side trip to Cambodia or Laos.
- Waiting until the last week to apply during busy holiday periods.
- Not checking the rules for children travelling on their own passports.
How we help
When you book a trip with us, we send you a checklist for every country on your route, remind you when to apply and plan the border crossings so that your visa matches your entry point. The application itself is made by you on the official portals, but we will make sure nothing is forgotten. If you are not sure which visa you need, just ask.
What happens when you arrive
At the airport in Vietnam, go straight to the immigration counters with your passport and a printed copy of your e-visa approval, or your visa exemption details. The officer checks your documents, takes your photo and stamps your passport. At busy times, such as late evening arrivals in Hanoi and Saigon, queues can take 30 minutes or more, so do not book a tight onward connection.
If we are meeting you at the airport, your guide or driver waits in the arrivals hall after customs with a sign showing your name. Keep your phone switched on in case your flight is delayed, so your driver can reach you.
At land and river borders into Cambodia and Laos the process is similar but slower and less formal. You fill in an arrival card, hand over your passport and visa, and wait while the officers process the group. Your guide or the boat crew helps with the paperwork and tells you where to queue.
Travelling with children
Children need their own passport and their own visa for each country, even if they are very young. Apply for the whole family at the same time and double-check every application, as one wrong date of birth can cause problems at the border. If a child is travelling with only one parent, or with grandparents or friends, carry a signed letter of consent from the other parent and a copy of the birth certificate; it is rarely asked for, but it can save a lot of stress if it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a visa on arrival in Vietnam?
Vietnam does not offer a standard visa on arrival for tourists who arrive independently. Most travellers either qualify for a visa exemption or apply for an e-visa online before they fly.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?
Processing usually takes a few working days, but it can take longer at busy times. We recommend applying at least one to two weeks before you travel.
Do I need a separate visa for Cambodia and Laos?
Yes. Each country has its own visa rules. Many travellers use e-visas for both, but check that your entry point accepts them.
Can I use one visa for Vietnam twice?
Only if it is a multiple-entry visa. If you leave Vietnam for Cambodia or Laos and then come back, make sure you apply for multiple entries.
Plan Your Trip With Us
Planning a trip through more than one country? We design the route, the flights and the border crossings for you.
