Yes — Australian passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam, and the simplest route is the government's 90-day e-visa, applied for entirely online at the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. It takes about ten minutes to lodge, is usually approved within three to five business days, and needs no embassy visit. This guide walks you through exactly how it works, what to watch for, and how to avoid the mistakes that trip up first-time travellers.
Do Australians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Unlike travellers from the UK, France or Germany — who currently receive 45 days visa-free — Australian citizens are not on Vietnam's visa-exemption list, so a visa is required for every trip, regardless of how short. The good news is that since August 2023 the Vietnamese government has offered Australians a 90-day e-visa, replacing the older 30-day single-entry cap, which makes longer and multi-stop journeys far easier to plan than they once were.
The Vietnam e-visa, explained
The e-visa is the standard, recommended option for almost every Australian traveller. In short:
Validity: up to 90 days.
Entry type: you choose single entry or multiple entry when you apply. Multiple entry is worth it if your itinerary dips into Cambodia or Laos and returns to Vietnam.
Where you apply: online, at the official Immigration Department portal, evisa.gov.vn.
What you receive: a downloadable PDF visa. You print it and present it at airline check-in and again at the immigration desk on arrival.
One important limitation: the e-visa cannot be extended from within Vietnam. If you need longer, you exit the country and reapply, so it's worth choosing the right validity from the outset.
How to apply for a Vietnam e-visa
The process is genuinely straightforward:
Go to the official portal, evisa.gov.vn — and only this site (more on why below).
Upload a scan of your passport photo page and a passport-style photograph.
Complete your personal details, intended entry and exit dates, and your entry port.
Pay the government fee online.
Wait for approval, then download and print your e-visa PDF.
The government fee is currently USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for multiple entry — a flat charge paid directly to the Immigration Department. (This is the official government fee at the time of writing; always confirm the current amount on evisa.gov.vn when you apply.)
A word of caution that matters: a large number of look-alike third-party websites advertise "Vietnam visa" services and charge inflated fees on top of the government charge. They aren't scams as such, but you don't need them — the official portal is simple to use and costs only the government fee. Always check you're on evisa.gov.vn.
Processing time and when to apply
Standard processing takes three to five business days, though it can stretch to seven during busy periods. Because the December–January Australian summer holidays are peak season for Vietnam travel, applications lodged in that window can face backlogs.
Our advice: apply at least two weeks before departure. It costs nothing to have your visa approved early, and it removes the single most common source of pre-trip stress.
Passport and photo requirements
Two requirements catch people out, so check them early:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Vietnam.
You'll need a clear passport-style photo and a clean scan of your passport photo page. Blurry uploads and glare are the most frequent reasons an application is delayed.
If your passport is within a year of expiry, it's worth renewing before you travel rather than risking a refusal at check-in.
E-visa versus visa on arrival
You may see "visa on arrival" mentioned. It still exists as a backup — you obtain a pre-approval letter online, then collect a visa stamp at the airport — but for almost all Australian leisure travellers the e-visa is simpler, fully online, and avoids queues on arrival. We'd only suggest visa on arrival for genuinely last-minute or unusual cases.
Common mistakes Australians make
From guiding travellers through this regularly, the recurring slip-ups are easy to avoid:
Leaving it too late — especially over the Christmas–New Year peak.
Using a copycat website and overpaying — always use evisa.gov.vn.
A name or date mismatch between the application and the passport, which causes delays.
Choosing single entry and then adding a Cambodia or Laos side-trip, which requires multiple entry.
Forgetting to print the PDF — you need a physical copy at check-in and immigration.
Planning a Vietnam trip? Let us take care of the details
The visa is the easy part — the real value is in a well-designed journey around it. If you're mapping out a trip, our guide to luxury Vietnam tours is a good place to start, and you can explore how we shape tailor-made Vietnam journeys around your interests and pace.
As part of every itinerary we plan, we guide our travellers through the visa process so nothing is left to chance. Speak with a specialist when you're ready to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australians are not visa-exempt for Vietnam and must obtain a visa for any visit. The 90-day e-visa, applied for online at evisa.gov.vn, is the standard and recommended route.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take to process?
Usually three to five business days, occasionally up to seven during peak periods. Apply at least two weeks before you travel, and earlier again if you're departing over the December–January holidays.
How long is the Vietnam e-visa valid for?
Up to 90 days, in either single-entry or multiple-entry form — you select which when you apply. It cannot be extended from inside Vietnam; you would need to exit and reapply.
Can I get a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Choose the multiple-entry option when applying — sensible if your itinerary includes a side-trip to Cambodia or Laos and a return to Vietnam.
Do children need their own Vietnam visa?
Yes. Each traveller, including children, needs their own e-visa, and children's Australian passports are valid for five years rather than ten, so check validity well ahead of time.
What passport validity do I need?
At least six months beyond your planned departure from Vietnam, plus blank pages for entry stamps.