Vietnam Visa Requirements for Thai Citizens

Planning a trip from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Pattaya, or travelling on a Thai passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, and for a short trip you may not need a visa at all. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Thais: when you can travel visa-free, when you need a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

Thai ordinary-passport holders can generally enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 30 days per entry, under a bilateral agreement between the two ASEAN members. For longer stays or other purposes of travel, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals before you travel.

Do Thais Need a Visa for Vietnam?

For a short trip, usually not. Thailand and Vietnam have a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports, and the allowance is generally described as up to 30 days per entry. The exemption is generally described as covering visits for tourism, family visits, and short business meetings. If your plans are longer than 30 days, you need a visa before you travel.

Some sources say there is no longer a waiting period between visa-free stays, so you can leave and re-enter to start a new 30-day stay, and that the exemption also works at land border gates as well as airports. Rules like this can change, so please confirm the current rules and any limit on repeated visits on official sources before you plan stays back to back or an overland trip. The visa-free stay can’t be extended once you’re in Vietnam. Work and long-term stays need a different type of visa.

The exemption depends on your passport nationality, not on the country where you live, and it applies to ordinary passports. A Thai identity card is not enough to enter Vietnam, so carry your passport. If you’re a Thai citizen living in Singapore, Japan, Australia, or anywhere else, travel on your Thai passport and don’t assume that a residence permit changes the rules. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some people of Vietnamese origin, and their spouses and children, may be eligible for a special visa exemption certificate, which has its own conditions. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for Thai Citizens

1. Visa-free entry (short stays)

For stays within the allowance, you don’t need to apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at immigration, along with any documents the airline or officers ask for, such as your onward ticket and accommodation details. The visa-free stay can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so plan to leave before your time runs out, and count the days carefully.

2. Vietnam e-visa (longer stays and other purposes)

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, or you want more certainty, the Vietnam e-visa is the simplest route. It’s 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. A visa on arrival is another route some travellers use, but it adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports, so we recommend the e-visa.

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. Vietnam has an embassy in Bangkok. Contact details and opening hours can change, so please check the official channels before you go. For most holiday and short trips, the visa-free stay is quicker and saves you the trip.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for Thais: 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, whether you travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa:

• A valid Thai ordinary passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
• Enough validity. Your passport should have at least six months remaining when you enter Vietnam. Confirm the exact rule before you travel.
• Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.

For an e-visa application, you will also need:

• 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.
• 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 Thais

Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need an e-visa, 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 Thai baht depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

If you need an e-visa, 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. Thailand and Vietnam share the same time zone (UTC+7), so a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is also 8:00 AM in Bangkok. Check the cut-off before you rely on it.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Thailand

If you’re travelling visa-free, there’s nothing to apply for. If you need an e-visa, follow these steps:

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

For an e-visa, 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.

If you travel visa-free, count your days carefully. Your allowance starts when you enter Vietnam, so write down your arrival date and your last day in Vietnam and leave a small buffer before your flight home.

Common Mistakes Thais Make

• Planning a 45-day trip on the visa-free stay. The allowance is 30 days, not 45, so apply for an e-visa for longer trips.
• Travelling with only an identity card. Only a passport is accepted for entry to Vietnam.
• Staying longer than the allowance. The visa-free stay can’t be extended inside Vietnam, so leave in time or get a visa first.
• Assuming the exemption covers work or other activities. It’s for short visits, so ask us if your plans are different.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make an e-visa unusable. Thai names are written in Thai script and in Latin letters, and the spelling can vary, so copy your name exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and don’t use a nickname.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Ignoring passport expiry. Check that at least six months remain before you book flights.
• Applying too late. If you need an e-visa, even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Passport with at least six months remaining and blank pages.
• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
• 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.
• Travel insurance, which isn’t required for entry but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

Neither the visa-free stay nor the e-visa can be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day e-visa from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.