How far in advance should international travelers apply for a Vietnam e-visa, and how long does approval take?

From messages by 9 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 37 days ago

TL;DR

Apply for a Vietnam e-visa at least 1–2 weeks before departure. Processing is often quoted as around 3 working days, but public holidays and application backlogs can extend the wait; one application paid on 28 August was still pending on 5 September.

What the community said

An e-visa application paid on 28 August was still showing as “processing” on 5 September. Do not assume approval will always arrive within the first few days.

28 August–5 September

The delay was attributed to a five-day public holiday period, with a decision expected the following Monday or Tuesday. Factor local public holidays into your visa timeline, not just the number of days before your flight.

5-day public holiday period

Travelers specifically asked about e-visa waiting time in days, so submit the application well before flying to Nha Trang and before relying on non-refundable travel plans.

Vietnam e-visa