Vietnam Visa for Chinese Citizens 2026: E-Visa, Visa on Arrival & Fees
Chinese citizens with ordinary passports need a visa for Vietnam. The e-visa (up to 90 days) is the usual route for tourism and business trips, including for Chinese residents of the UAE.
Key facts for 2026
If you travel on this passport: not on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list – you need an e-visa (or, for air arrivals, a visa on arrival approval letter).
- E-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Government fee US$25 (single) or US$50 (multiple); service fees are separate. About 3 working days on evisa.gov.vn.
- Faster processing: urgent: 2 working days · emergency: 4–8 working hours (optional paid service).
- Visa on arrival: air arrivals only, with an approval letter arranged before you fly. The stamping fee (US$25 single / US$50 multiple) is paid in cash at the airport.
- Phu Quoc: 30 days visa-free for every nationality if you enter at Phu Quoc and stay on the island.
Updated November 2026 · Independent guide, not a government website. → Visa exemption list
Table of Contents
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, for mainland Vietnam. You have two options: the e-visa, applied for online before you travel, or a visa on arrival if you arrive by air with an approval letter arranged in advance. The only visa-free option is Phu Quoc island (up to 30 days, entering at Phu Quoc).
Visa options compared
| Option | Stay | Government fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | US$25 single / US$50 multiple | Online at evisa.gov.vn; about 3 working days |
| Visa on arrival | Up to 90 days (as approved) | Stamping fee US$25 / US$50, cash at the airport | Air arrivals only; approval letter arranged before you fly |
| Phu Quoc visa-free | Up to 30 days | None | Enter at Phu Quoc and stay on the island |
Agency service fees, if you choose to use one, are charged separately from the government fees above.
How to apply for the e-visa
- Go to the official portal evisa.gov.vn (or use a visa service if you want your details checked).
- Upload a scan of your passport data page and a recent passport-style photo on a white background.
- Enter your details exactly as in the passport, plus your planned entry date, entry and exit ports and address in Vietnam.
- Choose single or multiple entry and pay the government fee (US$25 or US$50) by card.
- Download the e-visa PDF when it is approved, check every detail, and print a copy for check-in.
Processing times
- Standard: about 3 working days on the official portal (Vietnamese working days, Monday–Friday).
- Urgent (visa service): about 2 working days.
- Emergency (visa service): 4–8 working hours during Vietnamese office hours; out-of-hours, weekend and holiday cases are handled individually.
Tips for Chinese travellers
- Names in Latin letters. Enter your name exactly as printed in the passport’s machine-readable line (pinyin), not in Chinese characters.
- Hong Kong and Macau passports. Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders follow separate rules – see our Hong Kong guide.
- Embassy contact. Vietnam has an Embassy in Beijing and several consulates in China for visas that are not available online.
Travelling from the UAE?
Vietnam’s visa rules depend on your passport, not where you live. If you are a Chinese citizen living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE, the same options apply. Note that the UAE weekend (Saturday–Sunday) and Vietnamese public holidays both affect processing, so apply well before your flight. See also Vietnam visa from the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Can Chinese citizens apply for the Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. The e-visa is open to all nationalities.
How long does it take?
About 3 working days as standard; urgent processing takes about 2 working days and emergency processing 4–8 working hours through a visa service.
Can I enter Vietnam before the start date on my e-visa?
No. You can only enter on or after the start date shown on the e-visa.
Is this the official government website?
No. This is an independent guide. The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn.
Need help? You can apply yourself at evisa.gov.vn, or ask our team to check your application or handle urgent processing – see urgent Vietnam visa.
