If you want to steer clear of Vietnam e-visa scams, submit your application solely through the government portals evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn, and never through a middleman website. The Vietnam e-visa tips below focus on three pitfalls: counterfeit websites, a name entered incorrectly, and turning up at a border gate where e-visas are not accepted.
This guide is independent and unofficial; it is not a government page. We take no fees and we do not file applications on your behalf, so check your own details and deadlines on the Immigration Department’s portal, which is linked at several points in this article, before you set off.
Avoiding e-Visa Scams and Unofficial Websites
Stick to evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn and ignore everything else. According to a warning from the Immigration Department, sites that are not official may levy charges that Vietnamese regulations do not authorise.
The genuine prices never change: a single-entry e-visa costs 25 USD, while multiple entry costs 50 USD. Whatever the circumstances, that fee will not be returned to you, even when your visa is refused.
Once you have paid and supplied complete, valid information, processing normally takes 3 working days; it can stretch to 15 when the police need to verify your application. Weekends and public holidays are not counted as working days, so build some slack into your plans.
Here are two minor traps worth remembering. The payment status may need as long as 2 hours to refresh, so do not panic and send the application again. Should you nevertheless file a second identical application, the Immigration Department regards it as a separate one, which means the first fee is not returned, although both visas are equally valid if they are approved.
Entering Your Name Correctly and Other Key Tips
Take your name from your passport character by character, so that it corresponds exactly to the ICAO line.
Enter your full name
Write surname, middle names and given names in capital letters, exactly as the ICAO line of your passport shows.
Check passport expiry
E-visa validity must be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s validity.
Provide truthful details
Set out every detail truthfully and precisely in English. Missing or invalid information may lead to refusal.
Disclose past violations
Disclose any history of violations from earlier entries. Concealing it can get your e-visa refused.
Applications can be made as much as 1 year ahead of the entry date you have in mind, so there is no reason to wait until the last moment.
Entering Through Designated Border Gates
The answer is no: you cannot simply choose any crossing. An e-visa obliges you to enter and leave Vietnam via international border gates that the Government has designated, as explained in the portal FAQs.
Leaving through the very gate you entered by is not required; any other designated gate will do.
- Air gates (15): Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, plus 10 more.
- Land gates (27): Moc Bai, Huu Nghi, Lao Cai, Lao Bao, Mong Cai, plus 22 more.
- Sea gates (39): Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City Port, Nha Trang, plus 35 more.
Before booking any flight or bus, look at the complete lists on the e-visa portal. When a land crossing is part of your plan, make sure the particular gate appears there.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Falling for a look-alike website. The fees you pay are inflated and unauthorised. Save evisa.gov.vn in your bookmarks yourself.
- Entering your name in normal case. Instead, follow the ICAO line in capital letters, just as it is printed.
- Choosing a crossing that is not designated. An e-visa is only valid at gates on the list, so check first and buy tickets afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most important Vietnam e-visa tips to avoid scams?
Submit your application exclusively through evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. Websites that are not official can demand payments that Vietnamese regulations do not permit. The real prices are 25 USD for single entry and 50 USD for multiple entry, and neither is refunded, even when the visa is refused.
In what exact way should my name be entered on the e-visa application?
Write your complete name, meaning surname, middle name and given name, in capital letters and exactly as the ICAO line of your passport shows it. If something does not match or is invalid, you may be told to correct it, and processing begins again from that point.
With an e-visa, is it possible to enter Vietnam through any border crossing?
No. Only international border gates designated by the Government may be used: 15 by air, 27 by land and 39 by sea. Because the complete lists appear on the e-visa portal, look them over before you book any transport.
Must I depart Vietnam through the same border gate that I entered through?
No. Any designated gate may be used for your exit; it need not be the same one you came in through. What matters is that both your entry and your exit happen at gates on the Government’s list.
What is the outcome if an application is submitted with incomplete information?
Either you will be asked for further information or your application may be refused. The processing period starts again the moment valid information reaches them, which is why doing it properly on the first attempt is worth the effort.
After payment, how long does the processing of an e-visa take?
Usually 3 working days from the moment the fee is paid together with complete and valid information. Should police verification be required, expect anywhere between 3 and 15 working days. Neither weekends nor public holidays are counted.
Which common Vietnam e-visa errors concern passport validity?
The validity of your e-visa has to be at least 30 days shorter than the validity of your passport. When your passport runs out soon after your trip, get a new one before you begin the e-visa application.
Is it possible to apply for an e-visa while I am currently in Vietnam?
No. An e-visa is granted to foreigners who intend to enter Vietnam, not to people already staying in the country. Once you have left Vietnam, you can request one. Anyone holding an e-visa while inside the country may apply for a new visa only when an authority, organisation or individual in Vietnam invites or guarantees them.
Sources and Verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal: e-visa application for foreigners – covers eligibility, fees and the application form (verified 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal: FAQs – name format, border gate lists and processing rules (verified 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal: published notices – fees, processing times and the non-refund policy (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – Resolution 127/NQ-CP, e-visas available to all nationalities (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper – Resolution 44/NQ-CP, visa exemption covering 12 countries (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper – Resolution 229/NQ-CP, tourism visa exemption (verified 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – details on visa exemption (verified 2026-10-13)
