Vietnam Visa Requirements for South African citizens

Visa requirement for South African citizens summary:

Available Visas	Visa Requirements	Visa Information	Get This Visa
Business	Visa required	For business travelers holding South African passports who visit Vietnam for signing contacts, attending conferences or other business activities.	Get it as soon as Sept. 10, 2026, 6:28 a.m.
Tourist	Visa required	For South African passport holders who visit Vietnam for tourism purposes.	Get it as soon as 06:28 - Thursday - 10 September, 2026
Work	Visa required	For South African nationals who intend to work in Vietnam.
Student	Visa required	For students from South Africa who plan to study in Vietnam.

How to apply

South African passport holders or foreign passports living in South Africa can choose between 03 available methods below to apply for a visa to Vietnam.

E-visa application

To apply for an e-visa online from South Africa, please follow these steps:

1. Access our online e-visa application form.
2. Upload .jpg images of your South African passport data page and a 4x6cm photo.
3. Make the payment for the e-Visa fee (47 USD ~ 855 ZAR)
4. Wait 5-7 working days. The earliest possible would be , local Pretoria time on .
5. Receive evisa by email or download it on our status page.

Apply at the embassy

To apply for a visa at the embassy/consulate of Vietnam in South Africa, the following documents are required:

• Valid passport for at least 06 months prior to your planned entry date (Travel documents or temporary passports may not be accepted)
• Application form (Click here to download)
• 02 recently taken passport sized photos (4*6cm)
• Visa application fees

Apply for visa on arrival

Visa on arrival is an alternative way to obtain a visa for Vietnam for applicants who plan to arrive Vietnam by air from South Africa. The process involves 4 simple steps:

1. Submit an online form for the approval letter.
2. Receive the approval letter by Email in 2 working days.
3. Prepare photos, entry/exit form, stamping fee and the approval letter
4. Arrive at Vietnam airport, present all documents above to get the visa stamped on passport.

Tips: None

Visa on arrival price (Price quoted in )

*Above price does NOT include stamping fee at Vietnam airport which is 25 USD for single entry (1 month/3 month) and 50 USD multiple entry (1 month/3 month). The price is quoted in ZAR, click here to see our latest price in USD.

Eligible ports of entry

Travelers from South Africa can use the e-visa to enter at one of the following ports of entry/exit in Vietnam:

Ports of entry/exit	Types	Distance and travel time (from South Africa)
Noi Bai Int Airport (HAN) - Hanoi	International Airports	9862.4 km / 6128.2 miles (16 hours, 26 minutes)
Cat Bi Int Airport (HPH) - Hai Phong	International Airports	9925.7 km / 6167.6 miles (16 hours, 32 minutes)
Cam Ranh Int Airport (CXR) - Nha Trang	International Airports	9708.4 km / 6032.5 miles (16 hours, 10 minutes)
Can Tho International Airport (VCA)	International Airports	9270.1 km / 5760.2 miles (15 hours, 27 minutes)
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)	International Airports	9817.4 km / 6100.3 miles (16 hours, 21 minutes)
Phu Bai Int Airport (HUI)	International Airports	9787.1 km / 6081.4 miles (16 hours, 18 minutes)
Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC)	International Airports	9108.6 km / 5659.8 miles (15 hours, 10 minutes)
Tan Son Nhat Int Airport (SGN) - Ho Chi Minh City	International Airports	9399.8 km / 5840.8 miles (15 hours, 39 minutes)
Bo Y Landport	Landports	9686.9 km / 6019.1 miles (16 hours, 8 minutes)
Cha Lo Landport	Landports	9672.1 km / 6010.0 miles (16 hours, 7 minutes)
Cau Treo Landport	Landports	9653.2 km / 5998.2 miles (16 hours, 5 minutes)
Huu Nghi Landport	Landports	9984.9 km / 6204.3 miles (16 hours, 38 minutes)
Ha Tien Landport	Landports	9166.4 km / 5695.7 miles (15 hours, 16 minutes)
Lao Bao Landport	Landports	9694.2 km / 6023.7 miles (16 hours, 9 minutes)
Lao Cai Landport	Landports	9764.8 km / 6067.6 miles (16 hours, 16 minutes)
La Lay Landport	Landports	9714.1 km / 6036.1 miles (16 hours, 11 minutes)
Moc Bai Landport	Landports	9366.4 km / 5820.0 miles (15 hours, 36 minutes)
Mong Cai Landport	Landports	10076.9 km / 6261.5 miles (16 hours, 47 minutes)
Nam Can Landport	Landports	9612.0 km / 5972.6 miles (16 hours, 1 minutes)
Na Meo Landport	Landports	9705.3 km / 6030.6 miles (16 hours, 10 minutes)
Song Tien Landport	Landports	9261.8 km / 5755.0 miles (15 hours, 26 minutes)
Tinh Bien Landport	Landports	9221.9 km / 5730.2 miles (15 hours, 22 minutes)
Tay Trang Landport	Landports	9601.0 km / 5965.8 miles (16 hours, 0 minutes)
Xa Mat Landport	Landports	9378.3 km / 5827.4 miles (15 hours, 37 minutes)
Chan May Seaport	Seaports	9813.9 km / 6098.1 miles (16 hours, 21 minutes)
Da Nang Seaport	Seaports	9820.3 km / 6102.1 miles (16 hours, 22 minutes)
Duong Dong Seaport	Seaports	9107.6 km / 5659.2 miles (15 hours, 10 minutes)
Hon Gai Seaport	Seaports	9964.2 km / 6191.5 miles (16 hours, 36 minutes)
Hai Phong Seaport	Seaports	9924.8 km / 6167.0 miles (16 hours, 32 minutes)
Nha Trang Seaport	Seaports	9718.1 km / 6038.6 miles (16 hours, 11 minutes)
Quy Nhon Seaport	Seaports	9800.1 km / 6089.5 miles (16 hours, 20 minutes)
Ho Chi Minh City Seaport	Seaports	9410.5 km / 5847.4 miles (15 hours, 41 minutes)
Vung Tau Seaport	Seaports	9428.4 km / 5858.6 miles (15 hours, 42 minutes)

Travel information and facts

	South Africa	Vietnam	Differences
Local time	04:58 (10 September, 2026)	09:58 (10 September, 2026)	South Africa is 5.0 hours behind Vietnam.
Population	59,872,333	97,996,241	38,123,908 fewer than Vietnam.
Current weather	sky is clear 23°C (Pretoria)	moderate rain 29°C (Hanoi)	6°C lower than Vietnam
Distance	Pretoria	Hanoi (9862.0 km / 6128.0 miles) Ho Chi Minh city (9400.0 km / 5841.0 miles)	Average distance is 9619 km or 5977 miles.
Today’s holiday	There are no holidays today in South Africa Upcoming holiday is Heritage Day which will occur in 1 week, 6 days.	The next public holiday in Vietnam is Sept. 23, 2026 which will start in 1 week, 5 days (Pretoria local time)