The short version
Korean passport holders are eligible for Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)'s e-visa (electronic travel authorization). It takes 10 minutes to apply online, costs 25 USD (or 600,000 VND via the Vietnam Immigration website), and is valid for 90 days. Arrival is straightforward at any major airport or land border. No embassy visit needed.
Who needs it
You need an e-visa if you're entering Vietnam for tourism or business (under 90 days). If you're staying longer or need a work permit, that's separate—contact the Vietnamese embassy in Seoul or a visa agency.
Korean passport holders do not get visa-free entry to Vietnam. Don't rely on travel-blog rumors claiming otherwise. The requirement is firm: e-visa or arrival visa.
How to apply
Official channel (cheapest)
Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (the official Vietnam Immigration Department site).
- Fill in the form with your passport data. Use the exact spelling and date of birth from your passport—typos are a common rejection reason.
- Upload a digital passport photo (4 × 6 cm, white background, JPG or PNG, under 500 KB). Many people fail here by uploading a blurry phone photo. Use a proper headshot.
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport's biographical page (front side only, clear and legible).
- Select your entry point (Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang airport, or a land border like Mong Cai or Lao Cai if you're entering overland).
- Pay 600,000 VND or 25 USD via credit card. Processing takes 1–3 working days.
- You'll receive an approval email with a reference number and approval letter. Print it or keep the email on your phone.
Third-party agencies (faster, pricier)
If you want guaranteed next-day processing or are applying last-minute, use a visa agency. Search "Vietnam e-visa Korea" and you'll find sites charging 35–50 USD for 24-hour turnaround. They do the same upload for you. It's a markup for convenience, not a different product. Agencies like Visavet or Evisa Plus are reputable, but stick to ones with clear reviews.
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Costs and timing
- Official site: 600,000 VND or 25 USD. Processing: 1–3 working days.
- Agencies: 35–50 USD. Processing: typically 24 hours or less.
- Arrival visa at border (if you forget the e-visa): around 25 USD at the counter, issued on arrival. Takes 10 minutes, but the queue is often chaotic. Avoid this if possible.
If you apply on Friday afternoon, don't expect approval until Monday or Tuesday. Plan accordingly.
Common pitfalls
Rejected photo: The most frequent rejection. Your photo must be recent, high-contrast, full face, white background, and taken within the last 6 months. No sunglasses, hats, or excessive filters. If rejected, reupload and reapply; there's no re-submission fee.
Typos in passport data: If your e-visa approval says "Kim Jon-soo" but your passport says "Kim Jonsoo" (one name instead of two, or hyphenation), you'll hit a snag at immigration. Check spelling obsessively before uploading.
Wrong entry point: If you approve the e-visa for Hanoi Noi Bai but arrive at Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) Tan Son Nhat, immigration will likely refuse you at the gate and issue an arrival visa instead (you'll pay again). Choose the airport or border where you're actually entering.
Expired e-visa: The 90-day validity starts on the approval date, not your entry date. If you approve it today and don't enter Vietnam for 100 days, it's expired. Plan the approval timing closer to your trip.
Printing confusion: You don't technically have to print the approval letter—the reference number in your email is enough. But print it anyway. Immigration staff may ask, and it avoids phone-at-border drama.
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At immigration
When you arrive, you'll go to immigration with your passport, the approval letter (or your reference number), and a completed arrival card (given on the plane or at the airport desk). Hand everything to the officer. They'll scan your passport, check the e-visa system, and stamp you in. The whole process takes 2–5 minutes if there's no queue.
If the system is slow or the border is packed, it can be longer. At Saigon's Tan Son Nhat, morning arrivals (6–10 a.m.) are worst. Late afternoon is calmer.
Once stamped, you have 90 days. No further check-ins required unless you're extending your stay (which is a separate process, not covered here).
Insider notes
Don't overstay. Fines are steep: around 100 USD per day, and you may be banned from re-entry for 3–12 months. Immigration keeps records electronically across airports and land borders.
If you're traveling with a South Korean group tour, the agency often handles e-visas as part of the package. Confirm this with them before booking.
The Vietnam Immigration site sometimes gets slow around holiday periods (Tet, summer holidays). If you're traveling during peak season, apply 2–3 weeks early.
If you're flying into a smaller city (Da Nang (다낭 / 岘港 / ダナン), Can Tho), the e-visa still works, but double-check the dropdown list on the official site to ensure your arrival airport is listed. It usually is.
Practical notes
Apply through the official government site to save money. Upload a proper photo (the number-one rejection reason). Choose the correct entry point. That's 90% of a smooth experience. If anything goes wrong—a rejection, a typo you caught too late—there's no penalty for reapplying; just fix it and submit again.
Last updated · May 24, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
