The short answer
Indian passport holders do need a visa for Vietnam, but it's one of the easier ones to get. You apply for an e-visa online on the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn. It costs US$25 for single entry, is valid for up to 90 days, and usually comes through in 3–5 working days. You don't need to visit an embassy or courier your passport anywhere.
More Indians are asking about this than ever. Indian arrivals in Vietnam reached 491,331 in the first half of 2026, up 45.6% on the year before, and a lot of them are first-time visitors working through the e-visa for the first time.
What you need before you start
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Vietnam.
- A clear scan of your passport's photo page (JPEG, under 2 MB), showing your photo, name, date of birth, passport number and expiry date.
- A recent 4×6 cm photo on a white background (JPEG, under 2 MB): no glasses, face and forehead fully visible, neutral expression. This is a different size from the standard Indian passport photo, so don't reuse that one.
- A credit or debit card that's enabled for international online payments. Domestic-only cards are the most common reason payment fails.
- Your travel dates and the address of your first hotel in Vietnam.
How to apply, step by step
1. Use the official portal only
Apply on evisa.gov.vn. Many lookalike sites charge two or three times the government fee for the same e-visa, so check the address before you pay.
2. Fill in your details exactly
Type your name, date of birth and passport number exactly as they appear on your passport. Even a small mismatch can get the application rejected.
3. Pick your dates and airports
For a Party Passport Vietnam trip, enter Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) as your arrival airport and Noi Bai (Hanoi) as your departure, which matches the route. Set your entry date to the trip's start date, or to your arrival date if you're flying in early.
4. Pay and save your code
Pay the US$25 fee online and save the registration code. You'll need it to check your status and download the e-visa.
5. Download, check and print
Once it's approved, download the e-visa PDF and check every detail against your passport. Then print a copy to carry along with a copy on your phone.
When to apply for a December trip
Party Passport's Vietnam New Year trip runs 28 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, going from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, Da Nang and then Hanoi. Working back from that date:
- By mid-November: the ideal time to apply. It leaves plenty of room for a rejection and a second attempt.
- First week of December: the latest you should leave it. Processing can run slower in the weeks before the year-end rush.
- Before you fly: make sure you have the approved e-visa PDF, printed and on your phone.
Going on a 2027 departure instead? The same rule applies: apply around three to four weeks before your start date.
Mistakes that get applications rejected
- A photo that's too dark, has hair over the forehead, includes glasses, or is the wrong size.
- A name or passport number that doesn't exactly match the passport.
- A passport with less than 6 months of validity left on the date you enter.
- Paying on an unofficial site and assuming it's the government application.
Fees and processing times are correct as of October 2026, based on Vietnam's official e-visa portal and published guidance. Visa rules can change, so check evisa.gov.vn before you apply.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Indian passport holders aren't visa-exempt for Vietnam, so you need a visa before you fly. The simplest route is the e-visa, applied for entirely online on Vietnam's official portal, evisa.gov.vn. There's no embassy visit and you don't send your passport anywhere.
How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost for Indians?
The government fee is US$25 for a single-entry e-visa or US$50 for multiple entry, both valid for up to 90 days. That's roughly ₹2,200 for single entry, depending on the exchange rate and your card's foreign-transaction charges. The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
How long does the Vietnam e-visa take?
Usually 3–5 working days, though it can stretch to around a week at busy times. Weekends and Vietnamese public holidays don't count as working days, so give yourself at least two to three weeks before your flight.
When should I apply for a 28 December Vietnam New Year trip?
Apply in the first week of December at the latest. Mid-November is safer. That leaves room to fix a rejected photo or a typo and reapply without putting your flight at risk.
Single entry or multiple entry?
Single entry is enough for a normal group trip that flies into Ho Chi Minh City and out of Hanoi, because internal flights don't count as leaving the country. You only need multiple entry if you plan to cross into Cambodia, Laos or Thailand and then come back into Vietnam on the same trip.
Can Party Passport apply for my e-visa for me?
Each traveller applies for their own e-visa, because it's tied to your passport and payment details. Once you book a Vietnam trip, we send a step-by-step guide and can answer questions on WhatsApp while you fill it in.
Ringing in 2027 in Vietnam?
See the full New Year itinerary, current pricing and the 2027 Vietnam departures.