Vietnam Visa A layover in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City looks harmless. A few hours, a coffee, the next flight. But for many travellers the real question is: will I have to enter Vietnam? If yes, you need the right document. If you wait until the airport, it can be too late.
Three kinds of layover
| Your layover | Do you enter Vietnam? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You leave the airport to see the city | Yes | You need a visa, or an exemption for your nationality, before you fly. |
| International flight to a domestic flight in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City | Yes. The UK government says you must go through immigration and enter Vietnam, even if your final destination is outside Vietnam (gov.uk). | You need a visa or an exemption. |
| You stay in the international area and fly on | I could not verify an official rule on the pages I read. | Ask your airline before you book, and ask it in writing. |
I prefer to be honest: I did not find an official sentence on the Immigration Department's pages that says whether you may stay airside without a visa. The airline decides whether it lets you board at the first airport, so its answer matters. Do not rely on a forum post or on what a friend did last year.
Separate tickets and checked bags
These are the questions I would ask the airline, because the answers decide whether you end up inside Vietnam:
- Is this one ticket, or two separate bookings?
- Will my bag be checked through to the final destination, or must I collect it in Vietnam and check in again?
- Will I be allowed to board the first flight with the document I have?
- Is the connection inside the international area, or do I change airport or terminal?
If you must collect your bag or check in again, assume you are entering Vietnam and plan for a visa or exemption. That is my own rule of thumb, not an official one.
If you need a document: exemption or e-visa
First check whether your nationality can enter without a visa. Citizens of some countries can stay up to 45 days without a visa; see my page on visa-free countries. If your passport is not on the list, you need an e-visa. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days (Government of Vietnam).
- Choose the right airport. The UK government says e-visas restrict you to the entry and exit points you select when you apply (gov.uk). If your layover is in Hanoi, select Noi Bai. If it is in Ho Chi Minh City, select Tan Son Nhat. See my e-visa airports guide.
- Check your passport. Its expiry date must be at least 6 months after the date you arrive, with at least 2 blank pages (gov.uk).
- Dates. The e-visa start date must cover the day of your layover.
Checklist before you book a long layover
- Write down whether you want to leave the airport or not.
- Check your nationality on my visa by nationality page.
- Ask the airline the four questions above.
- If you will enter Vietnam, apply for the e-visa with the correct arrival airport.
- Carry a printed e-visa, or have it on your phone. The airline will want to see it at check-in. See the airport arrival procedure.
Your layover is in the next three days and you need an e-visa? From 1 hour on weekdays, weekends too, all-in from US$64. I confirm the time before you pay.
On the application form, enter the code PAUL03 in “Add Your Coupon”. On time or your money back. Refused new application: 100% refund.
Last-minute options
The official processing time is 3 working days at evisa.gov.vn. I tell travellers to plan for 3–5 working days, because weekends and public holidays do not count. If your layover is sooner, you can apply through me. I confirm the time your e-visa will be ready before you pay. Already at the airport without a visa? Read what to do if you have no visa at the airport.
| Option | Single entry, all-in |
|---|---|
| Emergency 1 hour Mon–Fri, apply before 18:00 | US$224 |
| Urgent 4 hours | US$104 |
| Urgent 1 day | US$94 |
| Urgent 2 days | US$74 |
| Urgent 3 days | US$64 |
| Weekend emergency Friday 18:00 to Sunday 15:00 | US$224 |
Multiple entry: add US$25. Government fee included. Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Türkiye: +US$20. See the full price list.
FAQ
Do I need a visa if I only change planes in Hanoi?
If you transfer from an international flight to a domestic flight in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the UK government says you must go through immigration and enter Vietnam. For a connection that stays in the international area, I could not find an official rule, so ask your airline.
Can I leave the airport on a long layover?
Yes, but then you enter Vietnam. You need a visa, or an exemption for your nationality, before you fly.
Which airport should I choose on the e-visa for a layover?
The airport where you will land. E-visas restrict you to the entry and exit points you select. Choose Noi Bai for Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat for Ho Chi Minh City.
My tickets are separate. What should I do?
Ask the airline whether your bag is checked through. If you must collect your bag and check in again, assume you are entering Vietnam and get the right document first.
Official sources: UK FCDO: Vietnam entry requirements (domestic transfer, entry points, passport validity) · Government of Vietnam: e-visa for all countries, valid up to 90 days. Sources checked: 11 Nov 2026.
Related: E-visa airports · Airport arrival procedure · Visa-free countries · No visa at the airport · Urgent Vietnam visa
