Australian passport holders need a visa before travelling to Vietnam, and demand remains strong, with approximately 397,000 Australians visiting in the first seven months of 2026. For most holidays and short business visits, the official Vietnam eVisa is the simplest option. The main exception applies to travellers who already hold a valid Vietnamese visa-exemption certificate.
Secure the visa before finalising non-refundable arrangements, then organise insurance and flights with more certainty. And it is worth planning ahead, including comparing Vietnam eSIM plans to stay connected during your trip.
Quick Answer for Australian Passport Holders
| Requirement | Current Rule |
| Visa required | Yes, unless you hold a valid exemption certificate |
| Visa on arrival | Not available as a standard option for Australian tourists |
| eVisa validity | Up to 90 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple |
| Official fee | US$25 single entry; US$50 multiple entry |
| Processing time | Allow at least four working days |
| Official website | evisa.gov.vn |
| Entry and exit | Must use approved international checkpoints |
Ensure that you apply through Vietnam’s official eVisa portal and always check the domain before uploading passport information or paying.
Which Vietnam Visa Route Applies to You?
| Travel Situation | Best Starting Point |
| Holiday or short business visit of up to 90 days | Apply for an eVisa |
| Leaving and returning during the trip | Select multiple entry |
| Staying longer than 90 days | Contact the Vietnamese Embassy |
| Visiting a Vietnamese spouse or parent | Check eligibility for a visa-exemption certificate |
| Sponsored work or specialised business activity | Confirm the required visa and work permission with the sponsor or embassy |
| Arriving without a visa | Do not rely on obtaining a tourist visa on arrival |
Commercial agencies can submit applications for an additional service charge, but an agent is unnecessary for a standard application. The government fee is US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry. Please remember that the fee is non-refundable, including when an application is refused.
Vietnam eVisa Validity and Entry Points
Australian citizens outside Vietnam can apply for an eVisa for tourism or business. An approved visa permits travel during the dates printed on it, but entry may still be refused if your passport, travel purpose or other details do not match the application.
What Does Up to 90 Days Mean?
Your eVisa displays a valid-from date and a valid-until date. You may arrive on or after the first date and must leave no later than the final date.
Arriving later does not extend the visa. For example, a visa valid from 10 October to 5 November still expires on 5 November if you arrive on 20 October.
Choose multiple entry if you intend to leave Vietnam and return during the approved period. A single-entry visa ends after its first use, even when time remains before its expiry date.
Check Your Border Crossing
eVisa holders must enter and leave through approved international checkpoints. Vietnam expanded the network from 42 to 83 checkpoints in December 2025.
Major arrival airports include Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc. Approved land borders, railway checkpoints and seaports are also available.
The entry and exit points can be different, provided both accept eVisas. Confirm the current checkpoint list before you compare flights to Vietnam or arrange an overland crossing. You can then see the best places to visit in Vietnam without exceeding the visa dates.
How to Apply for a Vietnam eVisa
Have These Details Ready
- Australian passport
- Clear image of the complete passport biodata page
- Recent portrait photograph
- Active email address
- Debit or credit card enabled for international payments
- Intended arrival and departure dates
- Intended entry and exit checkpoints
- First accommodation address
- Emergency contact and occupation details, where requested
The portrait must be a recent 4 × 6 cm JPG or JPEG image under 2MB. Use a white background, face directly towards the camera and remove glasses and headwear. Ensure the passport image is clear, uncropped and free from glare.
Complete the Application
- Open the official Vietnam eVisa portal.
- Choose single or multiple entry and request dates covering the complete trip.
- Upload the portrait and passport biodata page image.
- Copy your name, passport number, nationality and dates directly from the passport.
- Enter the intended checkpoints and first accommodation address.
- Compare the completed form with the physical passport character by character.
- Pay the government fee and save the receipt.
- Record the registration code, registered email address and date of birth.
- Check the result through the official portal.
- Download, inspect and print the approved eVisa.
Allow at least four working days for a straightforward application. Although the portal publishes a three-working-day target, the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia advises that applicants normally receive results at the end of the fourth working day. A requested correction can add another four working days.
Apply two to three weeks before departure where possible. Vietnamese holidays, payment problems, unclear images and corrections can cause delays.
Passport and Application Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving Out a Middle Name
Enter every surname, middle name and given name exactly as shown in the passport’s machine-readable ICAO lines, that is, the two rows of characters at the bottom of the biodata page.
Do not use a nickname, shortened name or different spelling.
Confusing Similar Characters
Check the passport number carefully, particularly zero and the letter O. Review it again after approval. An eVisa issued against the wrong passport number may not be accepted.
Reversing the Date Format
Vietnamese forms use day/month/year. The date 06/10/2026 means 6 October, not 10 June.
Check your birth date, passport dates, visa dates and travel dates separately. The visa’s first date is the earliest permitted arrival date and not an estimate that can be changed at the border.
Cutting Passport Validity Too Closely
The eVisa must end at least 30 days before the passport expires. Airlines and transit countries may require six months’ validity.
Renew your passport before travelling if it has less than six months remaining unless the airline and Vietnamese authorities confirm that it will be accepted. Ensure it also has sufficient blank space for entry and exit stamps.
Failing to Check the Approved Visa
Download the eVisa as soon as it is issued and compare every detail with your passport. Check the name, passport number, nationality, birth date, validity dates and visa type.
If the application requires a correction, submit the requested information promptly. Do not assume that an incorrect approved visa can be fixed at check-in or on arrival.
Vietnam Entry Checklist Before Flying
- Confirm that the application shows as approved, not pending.
- Print at least one complete copy of the eVisa.
- Save an offline copy on your phone.
- Check every name and passport number again.
- Confirm the entry type and validity dates.
- Verify that all planned checkpoints accept eVisas.
- Carry the passport used in the application.
- Keep onward travel and accommodation details accessible.
- Recheck current government and airline requirements.
Travellers arriving through Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc are encouraged to complete Vietnam’s digital pre-arrival form within 72 hours of arrival.
For practical arrival advice, read our Vietnam first-timer guide. If a physical connection is preferable, our Vietnam SIM card plans may just be what you need.
FAQs
Do Australians Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australian passport holders need an approved visa unless they already hold a valid visa-exemption certificate. Australians cannot obtain a standard tourist visa on arrival.
How Long Does a Vietnam eVisa Take?
Allow at least four working days for a straightforward application. Submit it two to three weeks before departure to account for corrections, payment issues and Vietnamese holidays.
How Much Does a Vietnam eVisa Cost?
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. Card conversion charges and optional agency fees are additional.
Can You Enter Vietnam More Than Once?
Yes, with a multiple-entry eVisa. A single-entry eVisa cannot be reused after leaving Vietnam.
Can a Vietnam eVisa Be Extended?
Automatic extensions are not available. Contact Vietnamese immigration before the visa expires if additional time is required.
Do Children Need Their Own eVisa?
Each child travelling on a separate Australian passport needs a separate eVisa application using that child’s passport details.
What If the Application Is Still Pending?
Check its status using the registration code, email address and date of birth. Do not travel until approval has been issued.
What Happens After Replacing a Passport?
The eVisa is linked to the original passport number. Contact Vietnamese immigration and expect to submit a new application before travelling.
