PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Vietnam

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Vietnam.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    E-visa covers tourism and other short visits (business visit purposes also selectable on the portal). Work, investment and long stays need a visa sponsored in Vietnam.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months beyond arrival, at least 2 blank pages, undamaged; use the same passport to enter and exit (FCDO).

  • How to apply

    Official National Portal on Immigration: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (Vietnam Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security). Upload passport data page and photo; pay online. Fee: USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry. Processing: 3 working days. Print the e-visa for entry and exit.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online e-visa. Paper visas: Embassy of Vietnam, 87 Brooks Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria (+27 12 362 8119, embassy@vietnam.co.za).

  • Proof of funds

    Not published on pages checked. Cash over VND 15 million or USD 5,000 must be declared on entry/exit.

  • Arrival forms

    No mandatory arrival card. From 15 April 2026 a digital arrival card is encouraged (not mandatory) for arrivals at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City).

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    Stays over 90 days: contact the Vietnam Immigration Department. Exit bans can be imposed for investigations, business disputes or unpaid debts (FCDO). Overstay fines not published on pages checked.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) (Official, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu
  2. 2. Embassy of Vietnam in South Africa (Official, vnembassy-pretoria.mofa.gov.vn) https://vnembassy-pretoria.mofa.gov.vn/
  3. 3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam

From doineedavisa.co.za/vietnam. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.