To obtain a Vietnam eVisa, it is important to have certain plans and arrangements already in place. This is because to successfully complete the eVisa application, visitors are required to provide some specific details about their trip.

Whilst travelers are encouraged to request the permit well in advance, doing so before organizing a few key elements may result in incorrect information being supplied and the visa becoming invalid.

This article explains which aspects of the trip it is useful to have arranged or decided before completing the online Vietnam visa application and what to do if plans change.

Vietnam Visa Start Date: Do I Need to Know My Travel Dates?

Although it is not necessary for tourists to know the exact date on which they will enter Vietnam, it is important to have an approximate idea.

The eVisa for Vietnam is valid for 30 days from the start date provided by the applicant.

Can a traveler enter Vietnam before the visa start date?

If a tourist does not yet know the exact date of entry when completing the visa request form, the earliest possible day they may arrive should be selected.

This is because it is not possible to enter the country before the Vietnamese electronic visa becomes valid and any attempts to do so will be denied.

The start date of the Vietnam visa cannot be changed. If the new date of entry is outside the 30-day validity period of the visa, a new visa application must be made.

Is it possible to enter Vietnam after the visa start date?

Whilst it is possible to enter Vietnam after the date printed on the visa, doing so will reduce the number of days the holder has to enjoy the country.

A Vietnamese e-visa is valid for 30 days from the start date, should the visa holder enter the country 10 days after the date they provided when completing the form they will be left with just 20 days to spend in Vietnam.

For this reason, to take full advantage of the Vietnam electronic visa it’s best to have a good idea of the travel dates.

Port of Entry: Selecting the Correct Vietnam Border Crossing

In addition to choosing a start date for the Visa, travelers must also select which port they will enter the country through.

The eVisa is accepted at 38 Vietnam border crossings including air, land, and sea ports.

Visitors should decide which port of entry is best for them based on the method of transport they will use and the area of the country they wish to visit first.

Ideally, foreign citizens should cross the border at the port of entry they selected when requesting the visa, it is advisable to wait until this is known before applying.

However, should the arrival port change after receiving the visa, the permit will remain valid as long as the new access point is included on the list of available crossings.

Entering Vietnam by boat via the border crossing near Chau Doc

A number of tourists incorporate Vietnam into a trip around southeastern Asia, with many arriving directly from Cambodia.

Such travelers often have questions about which Cambodia to Vietnam border crossings are available to eVisa holders.

It is not possible to enter Vietnam from Cambodia by boat through Chau Doc as this is not one of the ports of entry included on the list of approved eVisa crossings.

The most popular ways to enter Vietnam from Cambodia are by bus through one of the designated land borders checkpoints and by plane arriving at an approved international airport.

Other Information Required to Complete the Vietnam Visa Application

Providing the start date and port of entry are 2 of the Vietnam eVisa requirements, the rest of the form is completed with basic personal information and passport details, including the following:

• Full name as it appears on the passport
• Date of birth and birthplace
• Passport number, issue date, and expiry date

Care should be taken when completing all this data. Any mistakes, including typos, may lead to delays or even Vietnam visa rejection.

All the information supplied will be included on the approved visa which is sent to the traveler by email.

Do I need to provide details of accommodation in Vietnam?

Applicants are not required to give details of the Vietnamese accommodation they will be staying at during the trip. However, officials may ask questions about lodging arrangements when crossing the border.

Tourists are recommended to take confirmation of the first hotel or other accommodation they will be staying at with them, to present on arrival if requested.

Similarly, foreign arrivals should be prepared to give details of their travel itinerary to the authorities at the port of entry, such information is not included on the eVisa form.