Planning a trip to Vietnam, but unsure which visa you need or how to apply? Good Vietnam visa assistance can save you time and stop small errors from turning into costly delays. Many travellers can enter without a visa, others need an e-visa, and a few need something different again.
This guide explains who needs a visa, how the Vietnam e-visa works, what it costs and which mistakes cause the most trouble. You will also see when applying yourself is perfectly fine, and when a little help makes sense.
What is Vietnam visa assistance?
Vietnam visa assistance is a private service that helps you prepare, check and submit your visa application. It does not replace the Vietnamese authorities. They alone decide whether a visa is approved.
A good assistance service can:
- Check your eligibility, so you apply for the right entry option.
- Review your details, including passport information, photos and dates.
- Guide you through the form, in plain language.
- Answer questions, before and after you apply.
What it cannot do is guarantee approval or speed up the government decision. Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Vietnam or the Government of Indonesia. We charge a service fee, and the government fee is always separate.
Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Always check your own nationality, because the rules differ by country and they change.
- 45 days visa-free: Citizens of 24 countries can enter without a visa for up to 45 days. The list includes the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea and Russia. For some of these countries the exemption covers tourism only.
- Bilateral exemptions: Passport holders from several other countries, including some in ASEAN, can enter visa-free under separate agreements. The length of stay varies by country.
- Phu Quoc Island: Eligible visitors arriving directly by air or sea can stay up to 30 days on the island only.
- Everyone else: Most other passport holders, including those from Australia, Canada and the United States, need a visa. The e-visa is the usual choice.
The 45-day exemptions currently run until March 2028 and August 2028, depending on the country. Your 45 days count from the date you enter, and your passport should have at least six months’ validity on arrival.
Vietnam e-visa: the key facts
The e-visa is an electronic approval you apply for online before you travel. Here is what you need to know.
| Detail | What to know |
| Validity | Up to 90 days |
| Entry type | Single entry or multiple entry |
| Government fee | USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry |
| Refunds | The government fee is generally non-refundable, even if the application is rejected |
| Official processing time | 3 working days, though 3 to 5 is common and busy periods can take longer |
| Passport validity | At least six months from your planned entry date |
| What you upload | A clear image of your passport data page and a recent portrait photo |
| Where you enter | Approved international entry points only, so check yours before you apply |
The government fee is paid on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Any service fee from a private provider is an extra charge for their help.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa online, step by step
The process is simple when your documents are ready.
- Confirm you need a visa. Check the exemption list for your passport first.
- Check your passport. It should be valid for at least six months from your entry date.
- Prepare your images. You need a sharp scan of the passport data page and a recent, plain-background portrait photo.
- Choose your entry type and dates. Pick single or multiple entry, and set arrival and departure dates within 90 days.
- Enter your details exactly as in your passport. Names, dates and numbers must match.
- Pay the government fee and wait. Keep your application reference handy.
- Download and print your e-visa. Check every detail, then carry the copy with your passport.
Which Vietnam entry option suits your trip?
| Option | Stay | Best for | Things to note |
| Visa exemption | 45 days for 24 countries, other lengths under bilateral agreements | Short trips by eligible passport holders | Passport validity and purpose rules still apply |
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | Most tourists who need a visa | Apply online before travel and use an approved entry point |
| Phu Quoc exemption | Up to 30 days | Island-only holidays | Travel elsewhere in Vietnam needs a visa |
| Embassy or consulate visa | Varies | Longer stays or other purposes | Fees and times vary by embassy, so check with the one near you |
If you plan to work or stay longer than 90 days, ask the Vietnamese embassy for your country which visa applies. This guide does not cover work visas, and we cannot give legal or immigration advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a lookalike website: Many unofficial sites copy the look of the government portal. Check who you are paying and what is included.
- Typing details incorrectly: A single wrong digit in a passport number can cause delays or problems at the border.
- Uploading a poor image: Blurry, cropped or glare-covered passport scans and unsuitable photos are a common reason for corrections.
- Cutting passport validity too fine: Check the expiry date before you pay anything.
- Choosing the wrong dates: You cannot enter before your start date, and you must leave before the end date.
- Applying too late: Allow extra days, especially around public holidays such as Tet, because processing can take longer than the official three working days.
Apply yourself or use help?
Applying yourself is a sound choice if your trip is simple. You have a valid passport, clear images and time to spare. Going direct to the official portal also means you pay only the government fee.
Help makes more sense in a few situations:
- You are short on time and want a second pair of eyes.
- English is not your first language, or you want support in another one.
- You are applying for a group, such as a family.
- You have been refused before, or something looks unusual on your passport.
Neither route guarantees approval. The decision always rests with the authorities.
How Hey Rick Visa helps
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service based in Legian, Bali, and part of PT Rick’s Group Indonesia. Our process has three steps:
- Find your visa with the visa checker.
- Apply and pay in under 10 minutes.
- We handle the rest. Our technology and human experts check everything before submission.
You can apply 24/7, save your application and continue later, and pay with multiple payment methods. Our team is available by chat, WhatsApp and email, around the clock and in multiple languages.
We review your application in detail before it is submitted. We cannot promise approval, and the final decision is made by the Vietnamese authorities.
Travelling on to other countries
Many trips to Vietnam include a stop elsewhere in the region. If Thailand is next, see our Thailand visa assistance page. Heading to Cambodia? Take a look at the Cambodia visa page.
For Indonesia, our Indonesia visa assistance guide explains your options across the country. If you are heading to the island, Bali visa help covers visa types and extensions there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
That depends on your passport. Citizens of 24 countries can enter visa-free for up to 45 days, and some others have bilateral agreements. Most other travellers need an e-visa, so check your own nationality first.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?
The official processing time is three working days. In practice, three to five is common, and busy periods can take longer. Apply well before your trip.
How much is the Vietnam e-visa government fee?
The government fee is USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for multiple entry. It is generally non-refundable. A private service charges its own fee on top.
How long can I stay on a Vietnam e-visa?
The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days. Your approved dates are shown on the e-visa itself. Extending a stay inside Vietnam is generally not simple, so plan your dates carefully.
Does Hey Rick Visa guarantee approval?
No. Approval is decided by the Vietnamese authorities, and no private service can promise it. We review your application carefully to help you avoid common errors.
Is Hey Rick Visa the official Vietnam visa website?
No. Hey Rick Visa is a private assistance service, not a government body. The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn, where you can also apply directly.
Get Vietnam visa assistance before you fly
Vietnam visa assistance is about getting the basics right: the right entry option, accurate details and enough time. Check whether your passport is exempt, then decide whether to go direct or have someone check your application.
Ready to start? You can apply for a Vietnam visa online in minutes. If you would rather talk first, contact our team and we will help you choose.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Vietnam or the Government of Indonesia. We provide assistance with visa applications and charge a service fee.