Vietnam’s tourism popularity continues to soar—from the vibrant hustle of Hanoi’s 36 Old Streets and the relaxed vibe of Da Nang’s My Khe Beach to the Coffee Apartments of Ho Chi Minh City and the turquoise waters of Phu Quoc Island. Flight options for Chinese travelers are increasingly dense, with demand for both quick weekend getaways and long holiday vacations growing steadily. However, no matter how exciting the itinerary, mainland Chinese ordinary passport holders must obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam.
This article is a comprehensive 2026–2027 guide tailored for mainland Chinese citizens on urgent Vietnam Tourist E-Visa strategies. Covering essential documentation, online express processing, fees, and the crucial loose-leaf visa stage upon arrival, this guide will help you get your visa in the shortest possible time and set off smoothly.
1. What Type of Vietnam Visa Do Chinese Passport Holders Need?
As of 2026–2027, Vietnam has not implemented a full visa exemption for ordinary mainland Chinese passport holders. Whether for tourism, family visits, or short-term business, a valid visa must be secured prior to entry. The most mainstream and recommended method for mainland Chinese passport holders (applicable to both old G-series and new E-series electronic passports) is the Vietnam Electronic Visa (E-Visa), which can be applied for entirely online without visiting an embassy or consulate.
1.1 Visa-Free Exceptions: Phu Quoc Island & APEC Card
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Phu Quoc Island Visa Exemption: This is currently the only tourist visa-free area for mainland Chinese passport holders, allowing a stay of up to 30 days. However, applicants must meet all the following conditions: passport valid for at least 6 months, return or onward ticket to a third country, direct flight to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), and an itinerary strictly limited to Phu Quoc Island. If your trip includes mainland cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, you must apply for a full Vietnam E-Visa in advance.
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APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Chinese citizens holding a valid ABTC can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 90 days, serving as a convenient option for business travelers.
1.2 The “Loose-leaf Visa” Requirement for Chinese Passports
After their E-Visa is approved, mainland Chinese passport holders (especially those with new E-series electronic passports) must still proceed to the “Visa on Arrival” counter at the Vietnamese airport to exchange their E-Visa for a Loose-leaf Visa free of charge. While the exchange itself is free, be sure to carry two 2-inch white-background passport photos and budget extra time for queuing. This is the most crucial procedural difference between Chinese passport holders and other nationalities, which will be detailed step-by-step below.
2. Key 2026–2027 Vietnam E-Visa Policies (For Mainland Chinese Citizens)
Vietnam’s E-Visa policy continues to be optimized under Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP. The following policy highlights are particularly important for Chinese applicants:
3. Complete Checklist of Required Documents for Tourist E-Visa
Please prepare the following electronic files before applying. Clear smartphone photos are acceptable, but they must be crisp with no reflections:
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Passport Data Page Scan: Valid for at least 6 months from the entry date; full page capture with no reflections or finger obstructions; the bottom ICAO Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) must be clearly legible.
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Electronic ID Photo: Taken within the last 6 months, plain white background, facing forward without headwear or glasses, showing both ears; 4×6 cm format, JPG format, file size under 2MB.
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Vietnam Accommodation Address: Name and address of your first hotel; if not booked yet, fill in the intended hotel.
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Port of Entry: Confirmed arrival airport code (e.g., SGN, HAN, DAD, etc.).
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Valid Email Address: For receiving application confirmation codes and visa results.
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Credit Card: International payment tools such as Visa / Mastercard / JCB.
Important Note: Name spelling is the most common error point in E-Visa applications. The English name for mainland Chinese passports must match the bottom Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of the passport exactly—including name order, spelling, and spaces. For example, if the passport pinyin is ZHANG WEI, Last Name should be ZHANG and First Name should be WEI. Do not reverse them or add hyphens.
4. Standard 7-Step Online Application Process
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Step 1: Access the Application Page
Visit the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department or apply via an authorized agency platform. Agency platforms offer pre-screening and Chinese/English customer support, significantly reducing the risk of rejection due to formatting errors.
🌐 Apply online via agency site: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
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Step 2: Upload Photo and Passport Scan
Upload your ID photo and passport data page in sequence. The system will automatically check if the photo is qualified (a checkmark ✓ indicates approval).
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Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form
Fill in personal details, passport info, entry port, visa type, and effective date step-by-step. Select “Tourism” for Purpose of Visit. Ensure name spelling matches the passport exactly.
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Step 4: Review and Submit Information
Double-check all fields before submitting, especially the passport number, name order, and port of entry.
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Step 5: Online Payment
Complete the payment using a credit card. Fees vary depending on the selected processing time (see details below).
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Step 6: Processing & Approval
Standard processing takes 3–5 working days; if express service is chosen, you can receive your visa in as fast as a few hours.
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Step 7: Print Your Visa
Once approved, the visa PDF will be sent to your email. Please print it in color on A4 paper and back up an electronic copy on your phone and cloud storage.
5. Urgent Application Strategy: When Do You Need Express Processing & How to Choose?
5.1 Common Urgent Scenarios
Common situations faced by mainland Chinese travelers include: realizing 1–2 days before departure that the visa hasn’t been handled, official website submissions stuck on “Processing,” rejections due to photo/name format errors requiring re-application, or last-minute trips where standard processing won’t finish in time.
Note that the Vietnam Immigration Department does not process applications on weekends or public holidays. Submissions on Friday afternoons or holidays will automatically defer to the next business day, which is why many applicants experience delays.
5.2 Express Options and Fees
Applying for urgent processing via a professional agency covers service fees and guarantees timely delivery. Below is a reference fee schedule (in USD). Note that official government base fees are separate ($25 for single-entry, $50 for multiple-entry):
1-Month Single Entry
3-Month Multiple Entry
Note: The fees above are agency service fees for reference; final expenditure requires adding official government fees ($25 single / $50 multiple). For ultra-fast processing (15 minutes to 1 hour), agency platforms can assist via emergency channels for travelers already at the airport or facing extreme emergencies.
5.3 Application Expedite Service: Accelerating Stuck Official Submissions
If you submitted an E-Visa application on the official Vietnam Immigration site and the status remains stuck on “Processing,” an expedite service can help speed up approval. Required details usually include: Registration Code, Registered Email, Date of Birth, Intended Arrival Date, and Port of Entry. The agency tracks the application with relevant authorities to facilitate prompt issuance.
🌐 Request Expedite Service: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
6. Mainland Chinese Passport Entry Process: Loose-Leaf Visa & Digital Arrival Card
6.1 Upon Airport Arrival: Exchange Loose-Leaf Visa Before Immigration
Upon arriving at a Vietnamese international airport, mainland Chinese passport holders carrying an E-Visa cannot go directly through immigration with the PDF printout. Follow these steps:
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Proceed to the “Visa on Arrival” Counter: Present your original passport, printed E-Visa, and two 2-inch white-background photos.
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Collect Loose-Leaf Visa Free of Charge: Staff will issue a physical Loose-leaf Visa, which serves as your official visa document in Vietnam.
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Pass Through Immigration: Proceed to border inspection with your Loose-leaf Visa and passport.
The exchange is free, but queues can be long during peak hours. Budget 30–60 minutes of buffer time.
6.2 Digital Arrival Card (PAI): Mandatory Declaration Starting 2026
Starting in 2026, Vietnam’s major international airports fully implemented the Pre-arrival Information (PAI) system. Even with an E-Visa, travelers must complete the online declaration within 72 hours prior to arrival and obtain a personal QR Code for fast-track immigration inspection.
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Airports Requiring PAI: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), Nha Trang (CXR), Phu Quoc (PQC).
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Fee: The PAI system is completely free (official sites end in
.gov.vn). -
Sequence: Obtain E-Visa → Receive Visa Number → Complete PAI.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can mainland Chinese E-series electronic passports apply for an E-Visa?
Yes. Both old G-series and new E-series electronic passports are fully eligible for E-Visa applications online.
Q2: Can the port of entry on the E-Visa be changed?
No. Once selected, the entry port on the visa cannot be altered. If your actual entry port differs from your visa, you may be denied boarding or entry. Always verify your landing airport code when applying.
Q3: How fast can an urgent visa be issued?
Agency platforms offer options for 4 working hours, 1 working day, 2 working days, etc. Extreme emergency options can issue visas in 15 minutes to 1 hour—ideal for travelers stuck at the airport.
Q4: Can an E-Visa be extended within Vietnam?
No. E-Visas cannot be renewed inside Vietnam. To extend your stay, you must leave the country and apply for a new E-Visa before re-entering.
Q5: Is a return ticket required when entering with an E-Visa?
Airlines may request proof of a return or onward ticket during check-in. It is recommended to keep a copy of your electronic flight itinerary handy.
8. Final Departure Checklist
Before departing, review this quick checklist to prevent common entry issues:
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[ ] Name matches the passport MRZ exactly (order, spelling, spaces).
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[ ] Passport number is correct.
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[ ] Visa effective date covers your actual arrival date in Vietnam.
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[ ] Entry port matches your flight’s landing airport.
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[ ] Entry count is sufficient (choose multiple-entry if visiting neighboring countries before returning).
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[ ] Two 2-inch white-background photos are packed in your carry-on (required for loose-leaf exchange).
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[ ] E-Visa paper copy is printed in color, with digital copies saved to your phone/cloud.
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[ ] PAI QR Code declaration is completed within 72 hours before arrival.
Incorporate your visa, flight, accommodation, and PAI declaration into your travel planning. Choose an authorized agency for express needs, follow airport instructions for loose-leaf visa exchanges, and enjoy a seamless journey in Vietnam.
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📧 Email: info@vietnam-visa.tw (Subject line: “Mainland China Urgent Vietnam Visa”)
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💬 LINE Customer Support: https://line.me/ti/p/nqB711G8TX
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💬 WeChat ID: vietnam-visa
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🌐 Online Application: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
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