Vietnam Visa Requirements for Chinese Citizens
Planning a trip from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen, or travelling on a Chinese passport from another country? Vietnam is your close neighbour, and it’s easier to visit than many people expect, as long as your visa is sorted before you travel. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Chinese citizens: which visa to choose, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.
Quick Answer
China is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list for ordinary passports, so holders of an ordinary Chinese passport generally need a visa before they travel. For most holidays and short business trips, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam e-visa portal before you apply.
| Question | Answer for Chinese citizens |
|---|---|
| Visa required? | Generally yes, for an ordinary Chinese passport |
| Best option | Vietnam e-visa (apply online) |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| Government fee | US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry |
| Processing time | Officially about 3 working days; allow a little longer |
| Passport validity | Aim for at least 6 months remaining, with blank pages (see below) |
Why Chinese Citizens Aren’t Visa-Free
This catches some travellers out. Vietnam and China are neighbours with busy land and air links, so it’s natural to assume that an ordinary passport is enough. But Vietnam’s visa-free list doesn’t include China for ordinary passports. Citizens of countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea can enter Vietnam for a limited stay without a visa, while holders of an ordinary Chinese passport need an approved visa before they travel. Without one, an airline or a border officer can refuse you entry.
Some special cases may be treated differently. Passports issued for public or official affairs, and passports issued in the Hong Kong or Macau special administrative regions, follow their own rules, and websites describe these rules in different ways. If you hold one of these, or more than one passport, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything. Entry rules depend on the passport you travel on, not on the country where you live.
Vietnam Visa Options for Chinese Citizens
1. Vietnam e-visa (recommended)
The Vietnam e-visa is an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you travel. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. It’s the simplest route for most travellers, because you can apply from home, with no embassy visit. It can be used at approved airports, land border gates, and seaports, so check that your planned entry point is on the list, especially if you plan to cross by land.
2. Visa on arrival
A two-step option: you get an approval letter first, then pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport. It adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports. Sources differ on whether it is currently offered to Chinese passport holders, so please confirm this before you rely on it. We recommend the e-visa for most travellers.
3. Embassy or consulate visa
You can apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover. Locations, contact details, and opening hours can change, so please check the official channels before you go. For most holiday and short business trips, the e-visa is quicker and saves you the trip.
Which one should you choose?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Holiday or short business trip | E-visa |
| Crossing by land | E-visa, after checking that your border gate accepts it |
| Staying up to 3 months | E-visa, 90 days |
| Flying or crossing within days | E-visa with urgent processing |
| Hong Kong, Macau, or official passport holders | Ask us, so we can check which rules apply |
| Work, study, or long-term stay | Ask us, since you may need a different visa type |
Vietnam E-Visa for Chinese Citizens: How It Works
You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.
Single or multiple entry?
- Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
- Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for regular trips across the border.
Documents and Passport Requirements
Have these ready before you apply:
- A valid Chinese passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
- Enough validity. Sources describe the six-month rule in slightly different ways. To stay safe, aim for a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Vietnam, and confirm the exact rule on the official portal before you apply.
- A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
- A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
- Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.
- Proof of onward travel. Airlines and border officers may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
- A payment card and an email address you check often.
If your route to Vietnam includes a connection, check whether you need a transit visa for your connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.
Vietnam Visa Cost for Chinese Citizens
Your total has two parts.
Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.
Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in Chinese yuan depends on the exchange rate on the day. Before you apply, check that your card allows international online payments in US dollars and that it works with the payment page.
How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?
Official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.
A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you travel.
In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.
A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 1 hour behind China (UTC+8). For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 9:00 AM in Beijing. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From China
- Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
- Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
- Upload your photo and passport scan.
- Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
- We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
- Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.
The Date Mistake to Avoid
Your stay doesn’t begin when you cross the border. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but enter on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to enter.
Common Mistakes Chinese Citizens Make
- Assuming a neighbouring country means visa-free. Close links don’t replace a visa, and you can be refused entry without one.
- Choosing a border gate that doesn’t accept your e-visa. Check your entry point before you apply, because you can’t change it once the visa is issued.
- Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
- Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make the visa unusable. Chinese names appear in pinyin on your passport, so copy the spelling exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and make sure your surname and given name go into the right fields. Ask us if you’re unsure.
- Mixing up passports. If you hold more than one passport, use the same one for your application and for travel.
- Paying with a card that doesn’t work abroad. Check that your card accepts international online payments before you start.
- Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
- Choosing single entry, then leaving. If you might return, pick multiple entry.
- Ignoring passport expiry. Check it before you book.
- Applying too late. Even fast options work best with a buffer.
Entry Checklist Before You Travel
- Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup.
- Passport with enough validity and blank pages.
- Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
- Return or onward travel details.
- First night’s accommodation details.
- Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
- Travel insurance, which isn’t required for the visa but is a smart idea.
Staying Longer Than Planned?
The e-visa can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day option from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.