Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens (2026 Step-by-Step)

South African passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-Visa entirely online. This guide covers the documents, the ten steps, South Africa-specific details such as the five-hour time difference and card payments, and what to do when your flight is close.

In short

South African citizens need a visa for Vietnam. Apply online with a passport scan, a portrait photo and an international payment card. The government fee is $25 (single entry) or $50 (multiple entry), with standard processing of 3–5 working days. If time is short, urgent options run from 30 minutes ($215) to 4 days ($65), plus a $230 weekend and holiday service. Approval is decided by Vietnam Immigration and cannot be guaranteed.

Days maximum stay

$25

Govt fee, single

+5 h

Vietnam vs SA

Entry points

What the e-Visa is for. Under our service terms, the e-Visa covers tourism. Work, teaching, volunteering, conferences and religious activities are not covered. If your trip involves business activities, message us before applying so we can advise on the right route.

Documents you need

South African passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with blank pages
Portrait photo with a plain light background, face fully visible, taken in natural light
Passport photo page scanned or photographed flat, with no glare or cut-off edges
Travel details: arrival date, entry point and a place you will stay
Email address you can access, since the visa is sent there
Payment card enabled for international online payments

How to apply, step by step

Confirm you need a visaSouth African passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam, and the e-Visa is the standard route. Apply before you book non-refundable hotels or tours.

Prepare your documentsA South African passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, a clear portrait photo, a clear scan of the passport photo page, an email address you can access, and a card enabled for international online payments.

Open the applicationApply on the government portal (evisa.gov.vn) or through our service. Both lead to the same visa issued by Vietnam Immigration.

Enter details exactly as in your passportFull name including all given names, date of birth, place of birth and passport number. Copy the spelling and order from the passport data page, not from other documents.

Enter your arrival date and choose 3-month validityUse the date you plan to land in Vietnam. Choosing 3 months gives you the most flexibility if plans change.

Choose single or multiple entrySingle entry suits one trip. Choose multiple entry if you will leave Vietnam and return, for example on a side trip to Cambodia, Laos or Thailand.

Select your entry pointChoose the airport or border gate where you will actually arrive. Vietnam accepts 83 approved entry points.

Upload your photo and passport scanNatural light, plain light background, face fully visible, no glare. A poor photo is the most common cause of delay.

Review every field, then payThe government fee ($25 single, $50 multiple) is non-refundable once submitted. Save your application code (format E260720ZAF followed by digits) and the email you registered before paying.

Track, receive and verifyThe e-Visa arrives by email as a PDF. Search your code at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/search to check status and confirm the visa is genuine.

Travelling with children? Each child needs a separate e-Visa. For families and groups, message us on WhatsApp and we will guide you.

The government fee is non-refundable. A rejected application, a typo in your name or a change of plans does not return it, and the portal has no support line. Check every field before you submit.

South Africa to Vietnam: time difference and working hours

Vietnam is 5 hours ahead of South Africa. The government system works Monday to Friday, and an application outside those hours waits for the next window. Public holidays in Vietnam pause processing.

Vietnam time	South Africa time (SAST)
8:00 – 11:30	3:00 – 6:30
13:30 – 18:00	8:30 – 13:00

An urgent order placed in the South African afternoon or evening falls outside Vietnam's working day, so for fast delivery submit in the morning, South Africa time. For weekends and holidays, submit and pay with us by 15:00 Vietnam time (10:00 SAST) to receive your visa by 18:00 Vietnam time (13:00 SAST) the same day.

Paying with a South African card

Check that your card is enabled for international online purchases and that any online-payment authentication works before you pay. A failed payment on the government portal can leave the application unsubmitted, and in peak season a charge may be taken without the portal recording the order. Keep your card statement and application code until the visa arrives.

Government portal or a visa service?

evisa.gov.vn

Lowest cost: $25 single / $50 multiple
Best if you apply 2+ weeks ahead
No urgent option, no weekend service, no live support
Fee not refundable in any case

Visa service

Urgent delivery from 30 minutes, weekends and holidays included
Details checked before you pay
24/7 support by WhatsApp and email
Higher cost than the government fee alone

We are a private visa service, not a government website. Whichever route you choose, you can verify the visa yourself at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/search.

Our prices (US dollars)

These prices apply to a single-entry e-Visa and include the government fee. Multiple entry adds $25.

Package	Delivery time	Single entry	Multiple entry
Normal	4–6 working days	$50	$75
Urgent 4 days	4 days	$65	$90
Urgent 3 days	3 days	$90	$115
Urgent 2 days	2 days	$100	$125
Urgent 1 day	1 day	$110	$135
Urgent 5 hours	5 hours	$125	$150
Urgent 2.5 hours	2.5 hours	$155	$180
Urgent 1.5 hours	1.5 hours	$185	$210
Urgent 30–60 min	30–60 minutes	$215	$240
Weekend / holiday	Same day, by 18:00 VN	$230	$255

Already applied on the government site? Do not apply again. We can speed up your existing file and deduct the $25 government fee. See how to speed up an existing application.

Common mistakes

Name spellingCopy all given names exactly as printed on the passport data page.

A poor photoBlurry, dark or off-center photos are the top cause of delay.

Ordering at the wrong hourAfternoon in South Africa is night in Vietnam, so priority review waits until the next morning.

Applying too lateLeave 2 to 3 weeks if you use the government route.

Losing the application codeSave the code and the registered email. Without them you cannot track or download the visa.

Why travelers use our service

What we commit to

Itemized pricing with the government fee included
24/7 WhatsApp and email support
Details checked before you pay
Visas verifiable on the official portal
Customer reviews on Trustpilot

Our refund policy, plainly

Refund if you cancel before processing begins (a small transaction fee may apply under our terms)
Refund if we miss the delivery time we committed to
No refund once submitted to Vietnam Immigration, because the government fee is already incurred
Full details: cancellation and refund policy

Frequently asked questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. South African passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam. The e-Visa is applied for online and delivered by email.

How long does a Vietnam e-Visa take for South Africans?

The government timeline is typically 3–5 working days, Monday to Friday in Vietnam time. Urgent options deliver in 30 minutes to 4 days, and a weekend and holiday service is available.

How much does a Vietnam e-Visa cost for South Africans?

The government fee is $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry. Through our service, all-in prices run from $50 for normal processing to $215 for 30–60 minute processing, with $230 for weekends and holidays. Prices are in US dollars.

What is the time difference between South Africa and Vietnam?

Vietnam is 5 hours ahead of South Africa. The government system works 8:00–11:30 and 13:30–18:00 Vietnam time, which is 3:00–6:30 and 8:30–13:00 in South Africa.

Can I pay with a South African card?

Usually yes, if your card is enabled for international online transactions. Check the limit and online-purchase settings with your bank before paying, because a failed payment can delay the application.

Do I need to print my e-Visa?

No. A digital copy on your phone is accepted. A printed backup is optional.

Do children need their own e-Visa?

Yes. Every child with a passport needs a separate application. Combining a child with a parent can cause the whole application to be rejected.

What if my flight leaves soon and I have no visa?

Use an urgent package. A complete, accurate application can be approved in 30–60 minutes during Vietnam working hours, or choose the weekend and holiday service. Approval is decided by Vietnam Immigration and cannot be guaranteed.

Can I extend my e-Visa in Vietnam?

Not with a simple online request. You can arrange an extension at a Vietnamese immigration office, or exit Vietnam and apply for a new e-Visa before re-entering.

Do I get a refund if the deadline is missed?

Yes. If we miss the delivery time we committed to, you are refunded. The government fee is not refundable once your application has been submitted to Vietnam Immigration.

Full application guide Urgent visa pricing Speed up an existing application Single vs. multiple entry Refund policy

Start my application WhatsApp support (24/7)

Support 24/7 (GMT+7): support@vietnamvisaeasy.net · WhatsApp +84 947 754 252

Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens (2026 Guide)