Embassy
Embassy of South Africa in Vietnam
31 Phố Hai Bà Trưng
Vietnam visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need an eVisa for Vietnam. Apply on the official website.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
VNM
Vietnam
eVisa
People from any country can apply online for 1 entry into Vietnam.
- Visa
- eVisa
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$25
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for South African citizens in Vietnam
What to do
Apply on Vietnam's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo.
Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
Enter on the dates and through the ports the eVisa allows.
Get your Vietnam visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Vietnam
Visit visa-free if you qualify, or get a tourist visa.
eVisaSingle-entry eVisaPeople from any country can apply online for 1 entry into Vietnam.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$25
- Processing
- 3 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Open evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
- Fill in the form and upload your images.
- Choose single entry and pay 25 USD.
- Save your application code and check the result online.
- Print your approved visa and carry it when travelling.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Digital portrait
- Full passport details page image
- Printed approved eVisa
- Use approved border crossings; late arrival does not extend your visa dates.
- The stated deadline is 3 working days after payment; NG1–NG4 visitors need another route.
eVisaMultiple-entry eVisaPeople from any country can apply online to enter Vietnam more than once.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$50
- Processing
- 3 days
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Open evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn.
- Fill in the form and upload your images.
- Choose multiple entries and pay 50 USD.
- Save your application code and check the result online.
- Print your approved visa before you travel.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Digital portrait
- Full passport details page image
- Printed approved eVisa
- Use approved border crossings; leaving and returning does not restart your visa dates.
- The stated deadline is 3 working days after payment; NG1–NG4 visitors need another route.
Visa on arrivalApproved border visa collectionSome travellers can collect a visa at the border after getting approval before travel.
How to apply
- Ask your sponsor or embassy whether your case qualifies.
- Have your sponsor arrange border collection approval before travel.
- Bring your passport, visa form, photo and approval.
- Collect your visa at the approved border.
Documents required
- Passport or international travel document
- Visa form with photo
- Approval for your collection point
- Cases include no local embassy, multi-country trips, Vietnamese-run tours and eligible ship crew.
- Also: relatives' funerals, serious illness, or officially requested emergencies and special duties.
Visa requiredTourist visa DLTourists can apply for this visa through a Vietnamese embassy.
- Processing
- 5–7 days
How to apply
- Get immigration approval if your embassy requires it.
- Submit your form, passport, photo and fee.
- Collect your visa and check its dates.
Documents required
- Visa form
- Valid passport
- Photo
- Immigration approval letter, if required
- Your visa may allow 1 entry or several entries.
- Check your visa and entry record for your allowed stay.
Sources (27)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Vietnam Immigration Department: electronic-visa information and portal migration notice
- Current official electronic-visa portal; direct access timed out during research
- Alternative official electronic-visa portal; direct access timed out during research
- Ministry of Public Security: electronic-visa application procedure
- Foreign Ministry: Vietnam's visa exemption list
- Foreign Ministry: detailed bilateral and unilateral exemptions
- Vietnam embassy in Algeria: 12-country tourism exemption under Resolution 229
- Vietnam embassy in Algeria: 12-country exemption under Resolution 44
- Vietnam embassy in the United States: visa routes
- Vietnam embassy in the United States: in-person and postal applications
- Vietnam embassy in the United Kingdom: visa services
- UK embassy: tourist visa
- UK embassy: tourist visa documents
- UK embassy: passport, photo and validity rules
- UK embassy: visa processing time
- UK embassy: business visa documents
- Vietnam embassy in India: official electronic-visa domains
- India embassy: electronic-visa requirements and processing guidance
- India embassy: visa and transit questions
- India embassy: sticker visa procedures and classes
- Law 47/2014: visa classes, sponsorship, transit and border issuance; read with later amendments
- Law 51/2019: amended business, work, family and entry provisions
- Government legal database: Decree 75/2020
- Government portal: understanding Vietnam's electronic visa
- UK embassy: five-year visa exemption certificate
- Government guidance: visa exemption certificate procedures
- State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese: Decree 82/2015
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to Vietnam
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs A B C FAdapter for some
- MoneyVND ₫
- Time+5h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageVietnamese
- Emergency113 police115 ambulance
Planning your Vietnam trip
Best time to go: In the south, December to February brings cooler, dry weather. In the north, March to April and October to December are generally pleasant. Central Vietnam often has strong winds, rough seas and rain from September to February.
- Ha Long BayBoat trips pass scenic limestone islands. Trips commonly last one to three days.
- Mekong DeltaWater markets and busy waterways offer a view of daily life in southern Vietnam.
- HanoiThe capital combines busy city streets with traditional culture.
- Sa PaThe northern landscape includes rice terraces that turn yellow during harvest season.
Scams to watch for in Vietnam
- Taxi overcharging and rigged metersA driver quotes an inflated fare or uses a meter that runs too fast. Some taxis lack displayed fares or driver identification. Taxi scams are less common in Da Nang. Meter fixing in Da Lat is described as a much reduced problem.
- Hotel price scamsHotel scams are described as very common, including at mid-range hotels. Hotel prices are also a major scam concern across Vietnam, but no further method is described.
- Higher tourist prices and unclear market chargesSellers quote higher prices to visitors and expect bargaining. At Ben Thanh Market, the quoted amount, currency or exchange rate used for change may be left unclear. A high opening price alone does not mean the goods are fake.
About Vietnam
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian state running along the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula.
- Capital
- Hanoi
- Money
- Vietnamese đồng (₫)
- Languages
- Vietnamese
- Time zone
- UTC+07:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +84
Other Africa passports
Going to Vietnam
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Vietnam with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for South African citizens visiting Vietnam?
Can South African citizens visit any city in Vietnam?
No. Visas are limited to: 30 days visa free when visit Phu Quoc Island..
Do south african citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
South African citizens need an eVisa for Vietnam. Apply on the official website.
Where do I apply online for Vietnam?
Only on Vietnam's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Vietnam?
We have no record of Vietnam relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do vietnamese citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Vietnamese citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to South Africa.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Vietnam?
None of the 10 other Africa passports we compared enter without applying first.
Which countries near Vietnam are easier for south african citizens?
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand Cambodia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Vietnam?
Apply on Vietnam's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo. Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
What money is used in Vietnam?
Vietnamese đồng (₫). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Vietnam?
Vietnamese.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck