Vietnam Visa Requirements for Cuban Citizens

Planning a trip from Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, or Holguín, or travelling on a Cuban passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, as long as your visa is sorted before you fly. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Cubans: which visa to choose, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

Cuba is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list for ordinary passports, so holders of an ordinary Cuban 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.

Why Cubans Aren’t Visa-Free

This catches some travellers out. Cuba and Vietnam have a long history of friendship, so it’s natural to assume that ordinary passport holders can simply travel between the two countries. But close political ties don’t change the visa rules. Vietnam’s visa-free list doesn’t include Cuba 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 Cuban passport need an approved visa before they travel. Without one, an airline can refuse to let you board.

Some passports issued for public or official affairs follow different rules, and websites describe these in different ways. If you hold one of these, tell us and we’ll help you check what applies. Entry rules depend on the passport you travel on, not on the country where you live. If you’re a Cuban citizen living in Spain, Mexico, the United States, or anywhere else, please don’t assume that a residence permit replaces a Vietnam visa. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. If you think any of this applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for Cuban 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 fly. 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 online, with no embassy visit. Before you pay, check on the official portal that your nationality is accepted.

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 Cuban 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. Vietnam has an embassy in Havana, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover. Services, contact details, and opening hours can change, so please check the embassy’s 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?

Vietnam E-Visa for Cubans: 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 side trips to neighbouring countries.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready before you apply:

• A valid Cuban 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 immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

The journey from Cuba to Vietnam usually involves at least one connection. Check whether you need a transit visa for each connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa. Also check the health rules for your route, because travellers who have passed through some countries where yellow fever is a risk may be asked for a vaccination certificate when they arrive in Vietnam.

Vietnam Visa Cost for Cubans

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 your local currency depends on the exchange rate on the day. Before you apply, check that you have a card that allows international online payments in US dollars. Some cards issued in certain countries can’t be used for this, so if you’re unsure, ask us about other ways to pay.

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 fly.

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 12 hours ahead of Cuba in winter and 11 hours ahead in summer. For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 8:00 PM the previous evening in Havana in winter and 9:00 PM in summer. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Cuba

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. 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 land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.

With such a long journey and a big time difference, you may land a day or two after you leave. Count your arrival date in Vietnam time, not in Cuban time.

Common Mistakes Cubans Make

• Assuming friendly relations mean visa-free travel. Ordinary passports still need a visa, and an airline can refuse boarding without one.
• Mixing up passports. Public affairs and ordinary passports follow different rules, so check which one you hold, and use the same passport for your application and for travel.
• Paying with a card that can’t be used abroad. Check that your card allows international online payments before you start.
• 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. Spanish names can include accents, such as á and ñ, and two surnames, so use the spelling and order shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
• Entering the wrong arrival date. With a large time difference, double-check the date you land in Vietnam.
• Forgetting your transit visas. 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 flights.
• Applying too late. Even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• 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 flight details.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
• Vaccination records, if required for your travel route.
• 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.