Australian passport holders cannot enter Vietnam visa-free, so a visa is required. The e-visa is the route to take: 25 USD for a single entry or 50 USD for multiple entries, valid for up to 90 days, with processing in 3 to 15 working days.
Below you’ll find everything about the Vietnam e-visa for Australians, from the paperwork to the fees and the application steps. This is an independent guide, not a government website; we take no payments and we don’t file anything on your behalf. Applications go through the portal at evisa.gov.vn, and that’s where you should confirm the details before you travel.
Is a visa necessary for Australians traveling to Vietnam?
Yes, they do. Since 15 August 2023 Vietnam has granted e-visas to nationals of every country. Travellers from the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland may stay 45 days without a visa, yet Australians have no such option.
You can choose between two kinds of e-visa:
- Single-entry e-visa: 25 USD, permitting one entry into Vietnam.
- Multiple-entry e-visa: 50 USD, for when you leave and come back, for instance on a side trip to Cambodia or Laos.
As the Immigration Department’s published notices state, either version is valid for a maximum of 90 days. When a single entry is enough for your trip, the single-entry option saves you 25 USD.
Vietnam E-Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens
Only two files need to be uploaded:
- Passport data page image: one clear picture, with all four corners visible.
- Portrait photo: recently taken, 4 × 6 cm, JPG or JPEG below 2 MB; face the camera straight, wear formal clothes, use a white background and remove any hat or glasses.
Before anything else, check the passport validity rule. The e-visa portal’s FAQs explain that your e-visa’s validity must be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s validity.
Type your name in uppercase, exactly as it is printed on the ICAO line of your passport. You must also list trips taken during the past year and any past violations, because leaving the violations out can get your application denied.
Vietnam E-Visa Fees and Processing Time for Australians
What you pay depends on how many entries you need, and the payment is made online through the VietCombank gateway authorised by the Immigration Department.
| What you choose | Fee | Validity | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | 25 USD | Up to 90 days | 3 working days |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | 50 USD | Up to 90 days | 3 working days |
| Application flagged for verification | Same fee | Up to 90 days | 3 to 15 working days |
Under Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14 the fee is a processing fee and is non-refundable, even when your visa isn’t granted. A second application that is identical is treated as a separate one: the first fee is not refunded, and if both are approved, both are equally valid.
Weekends and public holidays are not counted as working days. Your payment status may take up to 2 hours to update, and incomplete or invalid information restarts processing once you send correct details.
How to Apply for Vietnam E-Visa from Australia
Applications are made online, up to 1 year before entry, and the portal runs on UTC+07:00.
Open the e-visa portal
Open evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
Upload your documents
Upload the image of your passport data page together with your portrait photo.
Fill in your details
Fill in your personal details and trip information accurately, in English.
Choose your border gates
Choose your entry and exit border gates from the list approved by the government.
Pay the fee
Complete the fee payment through the VietCombank portal.
Wait for the outcome
Wait for the outcome of your application.
Among the air gates are Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Can Tho. Common land crossings are Huu Nghi, Lao Cai, Moc Bai, Xa Mat and Ha Tien, while sea arrivals use ports such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Da Nang. Only designated international border gates may be used, though you don’t have to exit through the gate you entered by.
The e-visa is intended for foreigners who are still abroad. Anyone already in Vietnam has to leave the country and apply from outside.
Common Mistakes Australians Make
- Filing the same application twice. You end up paying twice, and the first fee won’t come back. Check where your first application stands before sending another one.
- A photo that doesn’t meet the rules. A cropped selfie, or a picture taken with glasses or a hat, fails the portal’s photo requirements and may lead to a denial.
- Omitting earlier trips or violations. Leaving out either of them can result in a refusal.
- Applying while in Vietnam. Submit your application before you fly, or exit the country and come back in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long can Australian citizens stay in Vietnam with an e-visa?
Both the single-entry and the multiple-entry version allow a maximum of 90 days. The e-visa’s validity must also be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s, so a passport nearing expiry can reduce what you’re granted.
Are Australians eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa that permits multiple entries?
Yes, they can. It costs 50 USD and permits more than one entry within its validity period. Should you plan a side trip to a neighbouring country and a return to Vietnam, the extra 25 USD is worth spending.
Can the Vietnam e-visa fee be refunded if my application is denied?
No, it isn’t. Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14 treats the charge as a processing fee that doesn’t depend on the outcome. That’s why reviewing your photo, name and trip details before paying makes sense.
How early is it possible for me to apply for a Vietnam e-visa?
As early as 1 year before the entry date you plan. Processing normally takes 3 working days after payment, but allow 3 to 15 working days when verification is required.
Must I depart Vietnam via the same border gate that I used to enter?
No, you don’t. Only designated international border gates may be used, so pick one from the approved list when you apply.
What validity period must a passport have for a Vietnam e-visa application?
The e-visa portal’s FAQs state that the e-visa’s validity must be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s validity. Start by checking your passport’s expiry date.
Am I able to apply for a Vietnam e-visa if I am already in the country?
No, you can’t. E-visas are issued to foreigners who are currently abroad. Anyone already in Vietnam would have to depart and apply from outside.
Is any vaccination required for Australian citizens entering Vietnam?
The WHO’s country list records no yellow fever vaccination requirement for entry into Vietnam.
Sources and verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – source for fees, validity, the non-refundable rule and processing times (verified 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department – e-Visa application form: foreigner’s images – requirements for the photo and the passport image (verified 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal – FAQs – passport validity, name format, border gates and when to apply (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – Resolution 127/NQ-CP on e-visas for every nationality (verified 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – the visa exemption list (verified 2026-10-13)
- UK FCDO – Vietnam travel advice: entry requirements – guidance on passport validity for arrivals (verified 2026-10-13)
- WHO – Vaccination requirements and recommendations, country list – the yellow fever requirement for Vietnam (verified 2026-10-13)
