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Vietnam Visa for South Africa Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

South African citizens need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn; the single-entry fee is USD 25 (multiple-entry USD 50), with approval usually issued within 3 working days.

Guide last updated October 23, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, with 1 blank page
  • Completed online e-visa application with a digital passport-style photo and a scanned passport bio-data page
  • Proof of accommodation booking
  • Proof of onward/return ticket
  • Proof of sufficient funds may be requested, though rarely checked for e-visa holders
  • Biometrics: not required in advance; standard passport control on arrival
  • Travel health insurance: recommended

Visa types

  • Single-entry e-visa: valid up to 90 days, USD 25
  • Multiple-entry e-visa: valid up to 90 days, USD 50
  • Visa exemption: not applicable to South African citizens (not on Vietnam's unilateral visa-exemption list)
  • Visa on arrival (via approval letter): an older route still used by some agents, generally superseded by the e-visa for most nationalities including South Africa

How to apply online

  • Apply at the official portal evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees)
  • Upload passport scan and photo, select single or multiple entry, and enter travel dates
  • Pay the USD 25 or USD 50 fee online by card
  • Processing time: typically 3 working days, though it can extend to 5-7 days in busy periods
  • The approved e-visa is a PDF to print and carry, along with your passport, for check-in and arrival

Fees & processing time

  • Single-entry e-visa: USD 25
  • Multiple-entry e-visa: USD 50
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee - application is handled directly through the government portal
  • Total cost estimate: USD 25-50 depending on entry type
  • Standard processing: 3 working days
  • No official express service on the government portal; some licensed agents offer rush service (24-48 hours) for roughly USD 10-20 extra

Tips for South Africa travelers

  • Apply only through the official government e-visa site to avoid overpaying through unofficial intermediaries
  • Common rejection reasons: blurry photo/passport scan, passport with less than 6 months validity, mismatched personal details
  • Double-check the entry/exit port selected on the application matches your actual itinerary - entry is only permitted through the listed ports
  • There is no Vietnamese embassy in South Africa; the process is entirely online, with the Vietnamese Embassy in Pretoria available for general enquiries
  • Extensions inside Vietnam are possible through licensed travel agents or the Immigration Department, but are time-consuming - consider a new e-visa application instead if your trip changes

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.