Yes — Indian passport holders require a visa to enter mainland Vietnam. There is no visa-free entry for Indians to the Vietnamese mainland. However, Vietnam has made the process exceptionally straightforward through its e-visa system — one of the most accessible tourist visa systems in Southeast Asia.

The three entry options for Indians:

• Vietnam E-Visa (recommended): Applied 100% online at evisa.gov.vn — no embassy visit, no physical document submission, no agent required. Processed in 3 working days. Delivered as a PDF by email. Government fee: USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple). RTH World Tour Packages processes at Rs.3,099 / Rs.5,499 / Rs.7,199 all-inclusive
• Visa on Arrival (air travel only, urgent cases): Requires a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agency obtained before departure from India. Cash stamping fee paid at the airport on arrival. More cumbersome and involves queuing at a separate visa issuance counter — only recommended when e-visa processing time is insufficient due to last-minute travel
• Embassy/Consulate Visa: Applied at the Vietnamese Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai or Chennai. Best for long-stay visas over 90 days, work visas, or study visas. Processing time 3–5 working days; appointment required; physical document submission

Phu Quoc Island special provision: Indians can enter Phu Quoc Island visa-free for up to 30 days on direct international flights to Phu Quoc International Airport — no visa application required for a Phu Quoc Island-only holiday. See FAQ 4 for full conditions.

Vietnam's e-visa system currently offers two validity options — 30-day and 90-day — with single and multiple entry choices. Understanding the difference is important before applying:

Important distinction — validity vs. stay duration:

• The 30-day e-visa gives you 30 days of validity — you must both enter and exit Vietnam within 30 days of the visa start date you specified in the application. The maximum stay is 30 days from the first entry date
• The 90-day e-visa gives you 90 days of validity — you can enter any time within these 90 days, and stay continuously for up to 90 days from your first entry. This is ideal for budget travellers, remote workers, or those combining Vietnam with extended Southeast Asia itineraries
• For the 30-day multiple entry option: each individual stay within Vietnam must not exceed 30 days, and all entries and exits must occur within the 30-day validity window — meaning this is primarily for short border-hop circuits, not for extended stays

Choosing the right e-visa: For a standard 10–21 day Vietnam holiday covering Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, the 30-day single entry at Rs.3,099 is perfect. For slow travel or an extended Vietnam exploration over 1–3 months, the 90-day single entry at Rs.7,199 offers excellent value and eliminates the need to apply for a second visa mid-trip.

The Vietnam e-visa requires a digital passport photograph uploaded directly during the online application at evisa.gov.vn — no physical photograph print is submitted for the e-visa itself (physical prints of 2 photos are only required for visa on arrival stamping at the airport).

Complete Vietnam e-visa photograph specifications:

• Dimensions: 4cm wide x 6cm high (40mm x 60mm) — note this is Vietnam's standard, different from the 35x45mm used for most other visa applications. Specify "4 by 6 cm for Vietnam" to your photographer
• Digital resolution: Minimum 400 x 600 pixels; strongly recommended 600 x 900 pixels at 300 DPI for best results on the portal
• File format: JPEG; file size typically between 50KB and 2MB (check current portal upload limit)
• Background: Plain white — no shadows, no patterns
• Face coverage: 70–80% of the frame; full face from chin to top of head; both ears visible
• Expression: Neutral — mouth closed, eyes fully open, looking directly at camera
• Glasses: Not permitted
• Headgear: Not permitted (religious exception with full face visible)
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
• Lighting: Uniform diffused studio lighting — no harsh shadows
• Alterations: No digital retouching, filters, or background replacement

Common photograph rejection reasons at evisa.gov.vn:

• Incorrect file dimensions — submitting a 35x45mm image instead of 4x6cm
• File size too large — compress the JPEG if the portal rejects the upload
• Glasses present
• Photo older than 6 months
• Shadow on background
• Face too small in the frame — insufficient face coverage

RTH World Tour Packages checks photograph dimensions and quality compliance for every client before submitting the e-visa application — a critical step that eliminates the most common cause of application rejection or return for correction.

Vietnam maintains a special visa exemption specifically for Phu Quoc Island under the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone (SEZ) regulations. This is one of the most generous visa provisions for Indian nationals in Southeast Asia — allowing up to 30 days of visa-free stay on Vietnam's most beautiful island.

Conditions for Phu Quoc Island visa-free entry for Indians:

• Arrival requirement: You must arrive at Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) on a direct international flight from outside Vietnam. Flights transiting through Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or any other Vietnamese airport do not qualify — you must enter Vietnamese territory for the first time at Phu Quoc itself
• Stay requirement: Your entire stay must remain within Phu Quoc Island. You are not permitted to travel to mainland Vietnam under this exemption. The island includes the main town of Duong Dong, Phu Quoc National Park, all beaches, and the smaller satellite islands of the An Thoi Archipelago reachable by boat from Phu Quoc
• Onward ticket requirement: You must hold a confirmed onward or return ticket departing from Phu Quoc to a foreign country (not to another Vietnamese airport) within 30 days
• Duration: Maximum 30 days — not extendable under the visa-free provision
• Passport validity: Minimum 6 months validity beyond your Phu Quoc departure date

What voids the Phu Quoc exemption:

• Taking a boat or ferry from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien or Rach Gia on the mainland — this constitutes entry into mainland Vietnam and requires a valid visa
• Taking a domestic flight from Phu Quoc to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or any mainland airport

Combined Phu Quoc + Mainland Vietnam itinerary: If you want to visit both Phu Quoc and mainland Vietnam destinations (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An), you must hold a valid Vietnam e-visa covering the entire trip. The Phu Quoc exemption is only applicable for Phu Quoc Island-only visits. RTH recommends the 30-day single entry e-visa at Rs.3,099 for combined itineraries that include both Phu Quoc and the mainland.

The official Vietnam e-visa processing time is 3 working days from the date of successful application submission at evisa.gov.vn. Processing is conducted by the Vietnam Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh).

Maximum advance application period: The Vietnam e-visa can be applied for a maximum of 90 days before the intended entry date stated in the application. You cannot apply earlier than 90 days before your stated first entry date. The visa start date is the date you specify as your entry date in the application — not the date of application submission.

RTH recommendation: Apply 5–7 working days before travel for straightforward applications with complete, compliant documents. Apply 10 working days before travel during peak periods (Vietnam's Tet New Year holiday in January–February, summer July–August) when the immigration portal experiences higher volume. Never submit an e-visa application less than 4 working days before travel without a backup plan — if a correction is needed, you may not receive the corrected visa in time.

Vietnam's e-visa extension policy has evolved significantly. From August 2023, when Vietnam reformed its visa law, e-visa extensions inside Vietnam are possible in principle but involve a specific process through the Vietnam Immigration Department.

E-Visa extension process in Vietnam:

• Extensions must be applied for at the nearest Vietnam Immigration Department office (Phòng Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) before the current visa expires — not online at evisa.gov.vn
• Applications can be submitted at provincial immigration offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and all major provinces
• Required documents: original passport, current e-visa, completed extension application form, accommodation confirmation for the extended period, and the extension fee payment
• Processing time: 3–7 working days for extension approval
• The maximum total stay on a tourism visa (including extensions) is generally 90 days within a 12-month period

Practical reality: While legal in principle, in-country e-visa extensions can be bureaucratically complex and are not guaranteed. The most reliable approach is to apply for the 90-day single entry e-visa at Rs.7,199 from RTH if you anticipate needing more than 30 days in Vietnam — this eliminates the need for any in-country extension.

Overstay consequences: Overstaying a Vietnam visa is taken seriously — fines of approximately USD 10–100 per day of overstay, potential ban from re-entering Vietnam for 6 months to 5 years, and forced exit at the immigration counter. Never overstay — apply for an extension through the proper channel or exit Vietnam before expiry.

Yes — a multi-country Southeast Asia circuit combining Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos is one of the most popular international travel itineraries for Indian tourists. Each country requires independent visa management:

Visa strategy for a Vietnam + Cambodia circuit:

• If re-entering Vietnam after visiting Cambodia (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City — Phnom Penh — Siem Reap — re-enter Vietnam at the Moc Bai land border): choose the 30-day multiple entry e-visa at Rs.5,499 — this allows you to exit and re-enter Vietnam within the 30-day validity window
• If visiting Vietnam only before or after Cambodia without re-entry: the 30-day single entry at Rs.3,099 is sufficient
• For land border crossings between Vietnam and Cambodia, verify that your Vietnam e-visa covers the specific border crossing you intend to use — check the designated ports listed on your e-visa

RTH World Tour Packages' team can advise on the optimal visa strategy for any multi-country Southeast Asia circuit.

Vietnam's e-visa approval rate is high — the vast majority of correctly submitted applications are approved within 3 working days. However, there are specific issues that cause rejection or requests for correction:

• Photograph non-compliance: Incorrect dimensions (35x45mm submitted instead of 4x6cm), photo older than 6 months, glasses visible, shadow on background, face too small in frame, or incorrect file format. This is the single most common cause of rejection or correction requests. RTH verifies photographs before every submission
• Passport scan quality: Blurry, shadowed, or cropped scan where the MRZ lines at the bottom of the biographical data page are not fully visible. Ensure the entire page including borders is clearly captured at high resolution
• Name mismatch: Name entered on the application does not exactly match the passport — even a middle name omitted or abbreviated differently. Every character must match the passport exactly
• Passport number error: A single digit or letter error in the passport number renders the e-visa invalid for travel even if approved. Triple-check this field
• Invalid entry date: Entry date specified has already passed at the time of processing, or the date is more than 90 days from submission
• Unrecognised entry port: Specifying a port of entry that is not a recognised international entry point on the current approved list
• Prior Vietnam immigration violations: A previous overstay, deportation, or immigration violation recorded against the passport — these may result in rejection

What to do if your application is rejected: Review the rejection reason, correct the specific issue, and resubmit a new application. Each new application requires a new government fee payment (USD 25 or USD 50). Rejected fee payments are non-refundable. RTH analyses rejection reasons and resubmits corrected applications for clients, verifying every field before the new submission.

Vietnam is a moderate challenge for strict Indian vegetarians — Vietnamese cuisine is heavily built around pho (beef or chicken broth), seafood, pork, and fish sauce (nuoc cham, which is used as a base in a vast range of dishes). However, the situation is far better than it might appear, and with some preparation, Indian vegetarian travellers can eat very well in Vietnam.

Vegetarian-friendly Vietnamese food options:

• Com chay (vegetarian rice): Buddhist vegetarian cuisine is widely available across Vietnam — look for com chay restaurants (usually marked with a yellow sign and image of a Buddha). Vietnamese Buddhist vegetarian food is diverse and well-developed, including mock meat dishes made from tofu, mushrooms, and gluten
• On the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, many Vietnamese Buddhists eat vegetarian — on these days (occurring roughly twice monthly), the number of vegetarian restaurants and stalls increases significantly even in small cities
• Banh mi with vegetarian fillings: Vietnam's famous baguette sandwich can be ordered with only vegetables, egg, or tofu fillings — specify "banh mi chay" (vegetarian banh mi)
• Fresh spring rolls (goi cuon): Available vegetarian with tofu, herbs, and rice noodles; avoid pork or shrimp variations
• Fruit and smoothies: Vietnam has outstanding tropical fruit — mango, dragon fruit, rambutan, jackfruit, mangosteen — and freshly blended fruit smoothies are widely available and inexpensive
• Indian restaurants: Hanoi's Old Quarter, Da Nang's beach strip, and Ho Chi Minh City's tourist areas have a growing number of Indian restaurants

Essential Vietnam practical tips for Indian travellers:

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND) — approximately Rs.1 = VND 325–340; carry VND cash for markets and street food; ATMs widely available at airports and cities
• SIM card: Purchase a local Viettel or Mobifone SIM at the airport arrivals hall — fast 4G data at very low cost compared to Indian roaming rates
• Grab (like Ola): Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Vietnam — far more reliable and fare-transparent than street taxis
• Bargaining: Expected at local markets (Ben Thanh in HCMC, Dong Xuan in Hanoi); not applicable in air-conditioned shops and restaurants
• Traffic in Hanoi and HCMC: Crossing the road requires patience — walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes will flow around you. Do not stop suddenly while crossing
• Temple etiquette: Dress modestly at temples and pagodas — shoulders and knees covered; remove shoes before entering worship spaces

Vietnam's elongated north-to-south geography means that different regions have different optimal seasons. Unlike most countries with a uniform "best season," in Vietnam the optimal time depends heavily on which region you are visiting:

Best overall compromise period for a full north-to-south Vietnam itinerary: February to April — Ha Long Bay is past its coldest mist period and entering pleasant spring clarity; Da Nang and Hoi An are in their best dry window; Hue is comfortable; and Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc are in dry season. This period corresponds to Vietnam's post-Tet recovery when prices stabilise and crowds reduce.

For Indian travellers specifically: November to March aligns well with Indian school and public holidays, making it the most convenient and climatically suitable booking window for Vietnam trips from India.

Vietnam's e-visa system underwent a significant expansion from August 2023 when the new immigration law came into effect. The current e-visa covers the vast majority of Vietnam's international entry ports — including airports, major land border crossings, and sea ports.

International airports (all active, e-visa valid):

• Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi (HAN) — main northern gateway for Indian travellers
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) — main southern gateway
• Da Nang International Airport (DAD) — central Vietnam hub
• Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) — island gateway; also covered by 30-day visa-free exemption for Indians
• Cam Ranh International Airport, Nha Trang (CXR)
• Cat Bi International Airport, Hai Phong (HPH)
• Lien Khuong Airport, Da Lat (DLI)
• Phu Bai International Airport, Hue (HUI)
• Tho Xuan Airport, Thanh Hoa
• Can Tho International Airport (VCA)

Land border crossings (major e-visa valid crossings with Cambodia and Laos):

• Moc Bai (Tay Ninh Province) — Vietnam/Cambodia: the most commonly used land crossing for HCMC to Phnom Penh routes
• Xa Mat (Tay Ninh Province) — Vietnam/Cambodia
• Lao Bao (Quang Tri Province) — Vietnam/Laos
• Cau Treo (Ha Tinh Province) — Vietnam/Laos
• Nam Can (Nghe An Province) — Vietnam/Laos
• Nam Phao — Vietnam/Laos

Important: Always verify the specific entry and exit ports covered by your e-visa application — you select your intended entry and exit port during the application at evisa.gov.vn. While the current e-visa covers most ports, confirm that the specific crossing on your itinerary is listed on your approved e-visa PDF before proceeding to a land border.

A Ha Long Bay cruise is considered one of the great travel experiences of Southeast Asia — and is the highlight of most Vietnam itineraries for Indian tourists. Ha Long Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long — "Bay of Descending Dragon") is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeastern Vietnam comprising approximately 1,600 limestone karst islands rising from the emerald Gulf of Tonkin waters across 1,553 square kilometres.

Cruise options and duration recommendations:

Cruise categories: Budget cruises start at approximately Rs.6,000–8,000 per person for a 2-day/1-night cruise; mid-range at Rs.12,000–20,000; premium at Rs.25,000–50,000+. The type of boat (junk boat, modern cruise ship, traditional wooden boat), cabin quality, food standard, and number of activities vary significantly across categories.

From India's perspective: RTH's Hanoi and Ha Long Bay 4-day tour is the most popular Vietnam package for Indian groups — covering arrival in Hanoi, Old Quarter sightseeing, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, and departure. For a 7-day Vietnam circuit, add Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City for a comprehensive north-to-south itinerary.

Vietnam is generally considered a safe destination for international tourists, including Indian travellers. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon. Vietnam consistently ranks well in Southeast Asia safety indices. That said, like all popular tourist destinations, a few specific precautions are appropriate:

Safety considerations:

• Petty theft: Bag snatching from motorbikes is the most common tourist safety incident, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City's tourist areas (Bui Vien, Ben Thanh area). Hold bags on the inner side away from the road; avoid using your phone openly while standing on busy streets
• Traffic: Vietnam's traffic — particularly in Hanoi and HCMC — is chaotic by Indian urban standards. Motorbike density is very high. Use Grab rather than crossing roads unnecessarily; follow local pedestrian crossing customs (walk steadily, do not run or stop suddenly)
• Food hygiene: Street food is generally safe and excellent but avoid raw or lightly cooked shellfish in areas with questionable hygiene practices. Drink bottled or filtered water — do not drink tap water
• Sun protection: Equatorial sun in southern Vietnam and during summer months is very intense. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat, and UV-protective clothing especially on Ha Long Bay cruises and Phu Quoc beaches

Health precautions recommended for Vietnam travel:

• Vaccinations: Consult your travel doctor regarding Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus before travel to Vietnam. These are standard recommendations for Southeast Asian travel from India
• Dengue fever: Present in Vietnam year-round; more prevalent during and after the rainy season. Use mosquito repellent (DEET-based, 20–30% concentration), especially at dawn and dusk. Wear long sleeves in forested areas (Phu Quoc National Park, Ha Long Bay kayaking)
• Malaria: Low risk in major cities and tourist areas. Higher risk in border regions and highland forests — consult a travel doctor for prophylaxis if visiting remote highland areas (Sapa, Ha Giang)
• Travel insurance: Strongly recommended — Vietnam's private international hospitals charge significant fees for emergency treatment

This depends on which e-visa type you hold and the specific conditions of your multi-country itinerary:

Scenario 1 — Single entry e-visa + exit to Cambodia or Laos: If you hold a 30-day single entry or 90-day single entry Vietnam e-visa and exit Vietnam to visit Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos, your single entry e-visa is consumed and cannot be used for re-entry into Vietnam. You would need to apply for a new e-visa for any subsequent Vietnam visit, or obtain a new visa on arrival pre-approval letter.

Scenario 2 — Multiple entry e-visa + exit and re-entry: The 30-day multiple entry e-visa at Rs.5,499 allows you to exit and re-enter Vietnam multiple times within the 30-day validity window. This is ideal for circuits such as:

• Ho Chi Minh City — Phnom Penh (Cambodia) — Siem Reap (Cambodia) — return to HCMC via land border at Moc Bai
• Hanoi — Vientiane (Laos) — Luang Prabang (Laos) — return to Hanoi via Lao Bao border crossing

Key requirement for re-entry with multiple entry e-visa:

• All re-entries must occur within the 30-day validity window from the visa start date
• Each individual stay within Vietnam must not exceed 30 days
• The re-entry port must be a recognised e-visa valid port (same list as initial entry ports)
• Your passport must remain valid for 6 months beyond the final re-entry date

RTH recommendation: For a Vietnam + Cambodia circuit, apply for the 30-day multiple entry e-visa at Rs.5,499. For a straight Vietnam-only trip, the 30-day single entry at Rs.3,099 is sufficient and the most cost-effective option.

RTH World Tour Packages provides complete Vietnam e-visa processing assistance for Indian passport holders at three transparent all-inclusive pricing tiers — with no hidden fees and the Vietnamese government fee included in all RTH prices:

Every RTH Vietnam e-visa service includes:

• Visa type consultation: 30-day single, 30-day multiple, or 90-day — confirmed based on your itinerary, including advice on Phu Quoc visa-free exemption applicability
• E-visa form completion: All fields at evisa.gov.vn completed accurately — name, DOB, passport number, entry/exit dates and ports, accommodation address, purpose of visit — cross-referenced against your passport to eliminate errors
• Photograph compliance verification: Your digital photograph checked for 4x6cm dimensions, white background, 6-month recency, resolution, and file size before upload — the single most common cause of e-visa rejection addressed before submission
• Passport scan quality check: Biographical data page scan verified for legibility and complete MRZ line visibility
• Government fee payment coordination: USD 25 (single) / USD 50 (multiple) government fee is included in the RTH price — paid on evisa.gov.vn at time of submission
• Application submission and reference number provision: Submitted on evisa.gov.vn with tracking reference provided to you
• Status tracking: Monitored through the 3 working day processing window — RTH alerts you immediately upon approval or if any correction is requested
• E-visa PDF delivery: Delivered to you with instructions on printing and presenting at Vietnamese immigration
• Pre-travel Vietnam briefing: Print requirement, what to carry, immigration process, e-Arrival declaration form if applicable
• WhatsApp support: Direct responsive communication throughout the process

RTH also offers complete Vietnam Tour Packages from India — from Hanoi city breaks and Ha Long Bay overnight cruises to 7-day Vietnam Essence circuits and Da Nang Hoi An beach-and-heritage combinations. Visit our Plan Now page or WhatsApp us on +91 91009 84920 to begin your Vietnam e-visa and travel planning today.