Getting a Vietnam visa online should take minutes, but the web is crowded with lookalike sites, hidden fees and confusing options. This guide compares the main routes, explains what you actually pay and shows you how to apply safely. If you want a team to check your details first, see our Vietnam visa application service.
By the end, you will know which option fits your trip and how to avoid the common traps.
What does a Vietnam visa online mean?
A Vietnam visa online usually means the e-visa, an electronic approval you apply for on the internet before you travel. You upload your documents, pay by card and receive your approval electronically.
Online can also mean using a private service to prepare or submit the application, or applying for an approval letter for visa on arrival. These are different routes with different costs.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Vietnam or the Government of Indonesia. The Vietnamese authorities decide every application, and no one can guarantee approval.
Your online options at a glance
| Option | How it works | Stay | Good to know |
| No visa needed | No application, if your passport is on the exemption list | 45 days for 24 countries, other lengths under bilateral agreements | Some exemptions cover tourism only |
| E-visa on the official portal | Apply online, pay the government fee, download your e-visa | Up to 90 days | Single or multiple entry, USD 25 or USD 50 |
| E-visa with a private service | A provider prepares or reviews your application | Up to 90 days | You pay the government fee plus a separate service fee |
| Visa on arrival | Get an approval letter online first, then collect the visa at the airport | Depends on the letter | Air entry only, plus a stamping fee at the airport |
| Phu Quoc exemption | No application for eligible visitors arriving directly | Up to 30 days | Island only |
For most travellers who need a visa, the e-visa is the simplest choice. It needs no airport counter and no approval letter.
Which Vietnam visa online option suits you?
Start with your passport. Our Vietnam visa assistance guide explains who can enter without a visa.
If you do need one, these rules of thumb help:
- Trip up to 90 days: The e-visa fits most tourist itineraries.
- Leaving and returning: Choose multiple entry. A single-entry visa is used up when you leave.
- Phu Quoc only, 30 days or less: The island exemption may be enough. Travel elsewhere in Vietnam needs a visa.
- Last-minute or longer stays: Visa on arrival or an embassy visa may suit you, but check the details first.
Always check your own passport nationality, because rules differ and change.
What does a Vietnam visa cost online?
The key is to separate government fees from service fees.
| Cost | What it covers | Notes |
| Government e-visa fee | USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry | Generally non-refundable, even if the application is rejected |
| Private service fee | Help with preparing, reviewing or submitting | Set by each provider, so ask for the full total before you pay |
| Visa on arrival costs | An approval letter fee, plus a stamping fee paid at the airport | Two separate payments, so the total can be higher than the e-visa |
Your card provider may also add currency conversion charges, because the government fee is set in US dollars. Check the total in your own currency before you confirm.
How to spot a fake Vietnam visa website
Lookalike sites are the biggest risk when you apply online. Some charge far more than the official fee, and some deliver nothing.
- Check the domain: The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn. Some fake sites include “gov” in the name but do not end in .gov.vn.
- Type the address yourself: Do not click adverts or search results blindly.
- Look at the pricing: If one site charges much more than another for the same e-visa, find out why.
- Read who runs it: Private services should say clearly that they are not the government. Hey Rick Visa does.
- Be wary of promises: No genuine provider can promise approval or guarantee a decision date.
- Keep your records: Save receipts, confirmation emails and your registration code.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa online, step by step
The basic process for the e-visa looks like this:
- Check you need a visa and that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your entry date.
- Prepare your files: a clear passport data page image and a recent portrait photo.
- Fill in the form exactly as your passport shows, then choose your entry type, dates and entry point.
- Pay the government fee and save your registration code.
- Check your status online, then download and print your e-visa.
The official processing time is three working days. Three to five is common, and busy periods can take longer. For field-by-field detail, read our Vietnam e-visa application steps guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying a lookalike site: Check the domain and the price breakdown before you enter card details.
- Mixing up visa on arrival and the e-visa: Visa on arrival needs an approval letter before you fly and is for air entry only.
- Setting wrong dates: You cannot enter before your start date, and you must leave before it ends.
- Ignoring the entry point: Choose the airport or border gate you will really use, and enter there.
- Uploading poor images: Blurry scans and unsuitable photos cause delays.
- Leaving it late: Allow a buffer, especially around public holidays.
Apply yourself or use help?
Applying yourself works well for a simple trip with clear documents. You deal directly with the portal and pay only the government fee.
A service can help if you are short on time, applying for a group or unsure about photos and dates. Compare the full cost first. Neither route guarantees approval.
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. The government fee is shown separately from our service fee, and we cannot promise approval.
Heading to Cambodia as well?
Many travellers combine Vietnam with Cambodia. The e-visa can be used at approved land crossings, but crossings vary, so check yours when you apply. If Cambodia is next, see our Cambodia visa page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Vietnam visa online?
Yes. Most travellers who need a visa apply for the e-visa online through the official portal at evisa.gov.vn. You can also use a private service to help. Visa on arrival also starts online, with an approval letter.
How much does a Vietnam visa cost online?
The government e-visa fee is USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry. It is generally non-refundable. A private service adds its own fee, so ask for the full price first.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?
The official processing time is three working days. Three to five is common, and busy periods can take longer. Apply well before you travel.
Is visa on arrival the same as an e-visa?
No. Visa on arrival needs an approval letter obtained before you fly and works for air entry only, with a stamping fee at the airport. The e-visa is issued electronically and is the simpler route for most travellers.
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 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 your Vietnam visa online with confidence
A Vietnam visa online is straightforward when you pick the right route, check the website and keep your records. Compare the full cost, prepare clean documents and allow a little extra time.
Ready to start? You can apply for a Vietnam visa with us in minutes. If you would like to 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.