Vietnam is one of the most popular international destinations for Indian travellers — and for good reason. Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the beaches of Da Nang and the islands of Phu Quoc offer an extraordinary range of experiences across a wide range of budgets. The visa process is straightforward in theory — but there is one specific step where Indian applicants consistently run into problems. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Vietnam visa process from India in 2026 — including the Phu Quoc visa-free rule and why it is not as simple as it sounds. For a full Vietnam trip cost breakdown see our Vietnam trip cost from India guide once published. Vietnam Visa — Quick Reference Detail Information Visa required Yes — E-visa Entry type Single entry (multiple entry available at extra cost) Validity 90 days — starts from travel dates you specify, not date of issue Maximum stay 90 days Processing time 5 working days standard (express available) Fee USD 25 standard single entry Documents needed Passport, photograph Biggest pain point Photo upload system is notoriously difficult — repeated upload requests are common even with correct photos Smart move Route application through an expert — saves significant hassle for a marginally higher fee Phu Quoc Visa-free up to 30 days for Indians — but only for direct arrivals. Transit through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City requires a visa. Our recommendation Get the e-visa regardless of whether you are going to Phu Quoc only Official portal evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn What type of visa do Indians need for Vietnam Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Vietnam. The standard and most widely used option is the Vietnam E-visa — applied online through the official Vietnam immigration portal before travel. There is no visa on arrival option for Indians that can be arranged independently. While a visa on arrival process exists it requires a letter of approval arranged in advance through a travel agent or service provider — and the e-visa is a simpler, more reliable and more widely recommended route. Vietnam E-visa — everything you need to know What it is: The Vietnam E-visa is an electronic visa issued by the Vietnamese government through its official immigration portal. It is applied for entirely online — no embassy visit, no VFS appointment, no physical document submission. Validity: The standard Vietnam E-visa is valid for 90 days from the date range specified in the application. This is a critical point — the validity of the visa is tied to the travel dates you provide when applying. It does not start from the date of issue. If your travel dates change after the visa is issued it can create complications at the port of entry. Apply with accurate and confirmed travel dates. Stay duration: Maximum stay of 90 days per entry. Entry type: The standard e-visa is single entry — once you exit Vietnam the visa is no longer valid for re-entry. Multiple entry options are available at an additional cost — relevant if your itinerary involves crossing into Cambodia or Laos and returning to Vietnam. Processing time: 5 working days for standard processing. An express visa option is available at additional cost for faster processing — useful if you are applying close to your travel date. Visa fee: USD 25 for standard single entry e-visa. Fees for multiple entry and express processing are higher. Documents required The Vietnam e-visa application requires minimal documentation — one of the simplest visa processes for any international destination. You need: Valid Indian passport — with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended travel dates Passport-size photograph — meeting specific Vietnam immigration photo requirements Travel dates — entry and exit dates for your Vietnam trip Entry and exit points — which airports or border crossings you will use The application is completed on the official Vietnam immigration portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). Payment is made online by card. The photograph problem — and why it matters This is where most Indian applicants run into trouble. Vietnam's immigration portal has specific and strict requirements for the photograph submitted with the e-visa application — and the system itself does not accept photos easily. What typically happens: the portal does not reject your visa application outright. Instead it asks you to upload a new photograph. This can happen multiple times — each round adding delay and frustration. If you are applying close to your travel date repeated photo upload requests can push you dangerously close to your departure. The challenge is not just meeting the stated photo specifications. Even photographs that appear to meet every requirement are frequently flagged by the system. Experienced visa service providers — who process Vietnam e-visas regularly — have developed specific knowledge of how to format and upload photographs in a way the system cons
