Vietnam entry rules for Indians 2026 — e-visa, visa-on-arrival, or the 45-day visa-free route
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · 11 min read
Vietnam extended its visa-free window for Indian passport holders to 45 days in August 2023, and the change has mostly flown under the radar. You can now enter Vietnam without any prior paperwork for up to 45 days. For longer stays, Vietnam's e-visa is affordable, quick and available online.
TL;DR — what is the current visa rule for Indians visiting Vietnam?
Indian passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days (single entry or multiple entries, changed from 15 days in August 2023). No form, no fee, no appointment — just land and go. If you want to stay longer, or want multiple-entry flexibility locked in before you leave India, get a Vietnam e-visa: it's valid for up to 90 days (single or multiple entry) and costs around USD 25 per person. You apply entirely online at Vietnam's official e-visa portal. Verify current rules there or on MEA India before you travel.
What changed in 2023 — and why does it matter for Indians?
For years, Indians were stuck with a 15-day visa-free window, which was barely enough for a decent Vietnam trip. Then, in August 2023, Vietnam amended its immigration law and extended the visa-free stay for most nationalities — including India — to 45 days. This was a significant shift and one that many travel advisories and blogs still haven't caught up with. I've spoken to Indian travellers who applied for an e-visa unnecessarily because they saw an old 'Indians need a visa for Vietnam' article.
So to be clear: as of 2026, a 45-day holiday to Vietnam — which comfortably covers Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City — requires zero paperwork beyond your passport. The old visa-on-arrival route (where you got a letter of approval online and paid a fee at the airport) is largely obsolete for Indians who plan to stay under 45 days.
The 45-day visa-free stay applies at all international airports (Noi Bai/HAN, Tan Son Nhat/SGN, Da Nang/DAD, Cam Ranh, Phu Bai/Hue) and most land border crossings.
When should Indians get a Vietnam e-visa instead?
The e-visa makes sense in a few scenarios:
- You want to stay more than 45 days (e-visa gives up to 90 days)
- You want a multiple-entry visa and plan to do a Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos circuit with re-entries into Vietnam
- You're entering at a smaller land or sea border crossing that may not process visa-free entries (though most major ones do)
- You want the extra peace of mind of having your entry pre-approved in writing before you land
The e-visa application is genuinely straightforward. Go to the official portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, fill in your passport details, upload a passport-size photo and a scan of your passport bio page, pay around USD 25 by card, and wait typically 3 business days for approval. Some people get it in 24 hours; occasionally it takes up to 5 days. Apply at least a week before departure to be safe.
One thing that trips people up: the photo requirements for Vietnam's e-visa are strict. The background must be white, the photo must be recent, and it must be an exact square — many applicants get bounced back because they uploaded a travel photo cropped to look like a passport shot. Use a proper photo app or a studio. Rejections for photo issues can add a day or two to your processing time.
What documents do you need at Vietnamese immigration as an Indian?
Whether you're entering visa-free or with an e-visa, have these ready at the immigration counter:
- Indian passport: At least 6 months validity beyond your date of entry is the standard expectation. Vietnam's official rule says 1 month beyond your visa expiry, but airlines and immigration officers in practice expect at least 6 months remaining.
- Return or onward flight ticket: For visa-free entry, immigration can ask to see that you plan to leave within 45 days. A confirmed ticket out — back to India, or onward to Cambodia, Thailand, wherever — keeps things smooth. A dummy ticket works for this purpose.
- E-visa printout (if applicable): If you got an e-visa, print it. Carrying only the digital version has caused delays when the immigration officer wants to stamp the physical document or staple it to your passport.
- Proof of accommodation: Hotel booking for at least the first night or two. Mostly asked for when you look uncertain about your plans.
- Proof of funds: A bank statement or loaded forex card. No published minimum, but around VND 1,000,000–2,000,000 per day (roughly ₹3,300–₹6,600) is a reasonable working estimate for your trip budget.
What gets Indian travellers rejected at Vietnamese immigration?
Vietnam immigration can feel slightly more variable than, say, Singapore or Thailand. The following tend to cause problems:
- No return ticket / unclear exit plan: Same as everywhere — if you can't show you're leaving, they'll wonder why.
- Inconsistent travel documents: If your hotel booking says you're staying in Hanoi for two days but you've applied for a 90-day e-visa, the officer might ask questions.
- E-visa for the wrong port of entry: Here's a Vietnam-specific gotcha: when you apply for an e-visa, you specify the port of entry you'll use. If you apply for an e-visa specifying entry at Noi Bai (Hanoi) but then try to enter at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh), you'll be in trouble. Double-check your e-visa port of entry matches your actual arrival airport.
- Excessive prior Vietnam stays: If you've been in Vietnam many times recently and immigration suspects you're working, they can and do ask more questions.
Flights from India to Vietnam and entry airports
There are a handful of direct flights between India and Vietnam — IndiGo has operated Delhi–Ho Chi Minh City routes, and Air India Express has run India-Vietnam services at various times — but the schedule changes. As of mid-2026, check current nonstops; you may still need to connect via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for many city-pairs. Total travel time is typically 7–12 hours. Search on FlightGPT to compare fares from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.
The main entry airports are Noi Bai (HAN) for Hanoi in the north, Tan Son Nhat (SGN) for Ho Chi Minh City in the south, and Da Nang (DAD) for central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Ba Na Hills). Most India-Vietnam itineraries fly in and out of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively — this is a popular 'open jaw' routing that lets you do a north-to-south traverse of the country.
If you're combining Vietnam with the Philippines, Cambodia or Thailand, check our Philippines entry guide and the FlightGPT visa tool for a full picture of your Southeast Asia trip entry requirements.
Practical Vietnam money tips for Indians
Vietnam is largely cash-based at the street level. The Vietnamese Dong (VND) cannot be bought in India in any meaningful quantity — bring USD (or EUR) and exchange at Vietnam airport counters, which offer fair rates (within 1–2% of interbank), or withdraw VND directly from ATMs using a zero-markup forex card like Niyo or Wise. Vietcombank and Techcombank ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.
Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs — if the ATM offers to charge you in INR, always say no and choose VND. The DCC rate is typically 5–8% worse. See our full Vietnam money guide for card recommendations, ATM tips and daily budget estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam in 2026?
No visa is needed for stays up to 45 days. Since August 2023, Indian passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for 45 days. For stays up to 90 days or multiple-entry trips, get a Vietnam e-visa online at the official portal (around USD 25, typically processed in 3–5 business days).
How do I apply for a Vietnam e-visa from India?
Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — fill in your passport details, upload a white-background passport photo and a scan of your passport's bio page, pay around USD 25 by card, and wait typically 3–5 business days. Make sure your specified port of entry matches the airport you'll actually arrive at.
Can I enter Vietnam without a return ticket as an Indian?
Technically the visa-free rule doesn't require a return ticket in writing, but in practice immigration officers ask. Carry a confirmed exit booking — whether a return flight to India or an onward ticket to Cambodia or Thailand. A dummy ticket or refundable booking works if your plans are open.
Is there a Vietnam visa-on-arrival for Indians?
The old visa-on-arrival system (requiring a pre-approval letter and airport fee) is largely obsolete for Indians now that the 45-day visa-free stay is in place. The e-visa is the right option if you need more than 45 days or multiple entries — it's processed before you travel and avoids any airport queue.
What is the e-visa port-of-entry gotcha?
When applying for a Vietnam e-visa, you must select your port of entry (the airport or border crossing you'll arrive at). If you land at a different airport than the one listed on your e-visa, immigration can refuse your entry. This is a common mistake — double-check your e-visa says the correct airport before you fly.