Complete Vietnam Visa Guide 2026: Step-by-Step Instructions for Canadians

Planning a trip to Vietnam from Canada? The good news is that getting your Vietnam visa is easier than ever in 2026. As a Canadian, you have access to the Vietnam e-visa — an affordable, fully online process that takes about 15 minutes to complete and arrives in your inbox within a few business days.

We went through this process ourselves before our stop in Vietnam during our 100-day Asia trip, and we’re walking you through every single step so you can do it with confidence too.

Do Canadians Need a Visa for Vietnam?

Yes — Canadian passport holders are not eligible for visa-free entry into Vietnam, which means you’ll need to apply in advance. The good news is that the Vietnam e-visa is a simple and affordable option that covers most travel scenarios, including tourism, visiting family, and transit.

Since 2023, Vietnam has expanded the e-visa to allow 90-day stays with both single and multiple entry options — a significant upgrade from the previous 30-day limit. This makes Vietnam a fantastic option for longer trips or those doing a multi-country Southeast Asia adventure.

Vietnam Visa Options for Canadians in 2026

There are technically a few ways to enter Vietnam as a Canadian, but the e-visa is by far the best option for most travellers.

1. Vietnam E-Visa (Recommended)

The e-visa is the easiest and most cost-effective route. You apply online in advance through the official Vietnamese government portal, receive approval by email, and present the printed visa at immigration. No embassy visit, no agent fees, no surprises.

• Single Entry: $25 USD — valid for 90 days, one entry
• Multiple Entry: $50 USD — valid for 90 days, unlimited entries and exits
• Processing time: 3–5 business days
• Accepted at all international airports, land borders, and seaports

2. Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Visa on Arrival is only available for air travel and requires an approval letter obtained through a licensed agency ahead of time. You still have to pay a stamping fee at the airport ($25–$50 USD cash). It’s more complicated and no cheaper than the e-visa, so we don’t recommend it for most Canadians.

3. Visa at Vietnamese Embassy

You can apply for a visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in Canada (Ottawa, Vancouver, or Toronto). This takes longer, requires mailing or visiting in person, and costs more. Only worth considering for special visa categories like business or work visas.

Bottom line: get the e-visa. It’s what we did, and it was completely seamless.

Vietnam E-Visa Requirements for Canadians

Before you start your application, make sure you have all of the following ready:

• A valid Canadian passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from your intended entry date into Vietnam
• At least one blank visa page in your passport
• A recent digital passport photo (4x6cm, white background, JPEG format, under 2MB)
• A clear colour scan of your passport data page (all four corners visible, no glare)
• A credit or debit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay are accepted)
• Your planned entry date and an address where you’ll be staying in Vietnam (hotel name and address is fine)
• A working email address where your approval can be sent

How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Go to the Official Vietnamese Government E-Visa Portal

Head directly to the official portal: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

Important: Only use this official government website. There are dozens of third-party sites that mimic the official portal and charge two to three times the actual fee for no additional service. The real site charges $25 USD for single entry and $50 USD for multiple entry — nothing more.

We recommend using Google Chrome for the best compatibility with the portal’s forms and file uploads.

Step 2: Choose Your Visa Type

Once you’re on the site, select your visa type:

• Single Entry means you can enter Vietnam once and exit once during your 90-day window. If you’re doing a simple trip to Vietnam without crossing into neighbouring countries (like Cambodia or Laos) and coming back, this is all you need.
• Multiple Entry means you can enter and exit Vietnam as many times as you like within 90 days. This is ideal if you’re doing a longer Southeast Asia loop — for example, entering Vietnam, crossing into Laos, and returning to Vietnam later.

Given how affordable the upgrade is ($25 extra), we’d generally recommend multiple entry if your travel plans have any flexibility at all.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form

The application form is straightforward. You’ll be asked to provide:

• Your full legal name, exactly as it appears in your passport
• Your passport number, date of issue, and expiry date
• Your nationality (Canadian)
• Your date of birth
• Your email address and phone number
• Your intended entry and exit dates
• Your intended entry point (e.g., Noi Bai International Airport for Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat for Ho Chi Minh City)
• An address where you’ll be staying in Vietnam

Double-check every field carefully before moving on, especially your passport number and travel dates. Errors on the application can cause delays or rejection, and you’ll have to reapply.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

You’ll need to upload two documents:

• Passport photo: 4x6cm, white background, JPEG format, file size under 2MB. This should be a clear, recent photo of your face against a plain white background. Many phone apps can help you format this correctly if needed.
• Passport data page: A clear colour scan or high-quality photo of the page in your passport that contains your photo, name, passport number, and dates. All four corners must be visible, with no reflections or cut-off edges.

Make sure both images are crisp and easy to read. Blurry or poorly-lit uploads are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.

Step 5: Pay and Submit

Review your application one final time, then proceed to payment. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay. Payment is processed securely in USD.

Once payment is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your application reference number. Save this.

Step 6: Wait for Approval (3–5 Business Days)

Processing typically takes 3–5 business days, though it can be faster. You’ll receive your approved e-visa as a PDF attachment to your email.

We strongly recommend applying at least 7–10 days before your travel date to give yourself buffer time in case of any delays. Don’t leave this until the day before your flight.

Step 7: Print Your E-Visa and Travel

Print your approved e-visa on A4 paper in colour. You’ll present this printed copy at Vietnam immigration along with your passport. There are no additional fees at the border — what you paid online is all you pay.

Keep a digital backup of your e-visa on your phone as well, just in case.

2026 Vietnam E-Visa Updates: What’s New

If you’ve researched Vietnam visas in previous years, here’s what has changed and what’s relevant for 2026:

The e-visa is now accepted at all official entry points — including all international airports, land border crossings, and seaports. Previously, some land crossings didn’t accept it, which caused confusion for overland travellers.

Both single and multiple entry e-visas now allow a 90-day stay — up from the previous 30-day limit. This is a huge improvement for long-stay travellers and digital nomads.

Processing times have also improved. The standard window is now 3–5 business days, down from the previous 7-day processing window.

One important note: tourist e-visas cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need to exit Vietnam and re-apply, or explore longer-term visa options through the embassy.

Pro Tips for Canadian Travellers

Apply earlier than you think you need to. Even though processing is only 3–5 business days, government portals can occasionally experience delays during busy travel seasons. Give yourself a minimum of 7–10 days of buffer.

Use Chrome for the application. The official Vietnamese e-visa portal has the best compatibility with Google Chrome. Other browsers may cause display or upload issues.

Print in colour and bring a backup. Immigration officers want the official printed colour document. Keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup, but don’t count on digital-only being accepted.

Make sure your photo meets the specs. A passport photo that doesn’t meet the size and background requirements is one of the most common reasons for application rejection. Use a photo formatting app if needed.

Overstay fees are real. Overstaying your Vietnam visa carries fines of approximately $5 USD per day, and repeat offenders can face entry bans. Plan your exit date carefully.

For land border travellers: The e-visa is accepted at land crossings, but if you’re entering by land from Cambodia, Laos, or China, confirm in advance which specific crossing you’ll be using and verify it’s on the approved list on the official portal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a third-party visa website. This is the single most common mistake. Unofficial sites charge two to three times the real price and offer nothing extra in return. Always use the official government portal linked above.

Applying with a passport that expires too soon. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date into Vietnam. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it before applying.

Forgetting to print your e-visa. The approval email itself is not your visa — you need to print the attached PDF. Don’t show up at immigration with just your email open on your phone.

Entering incorrect travel dates. Your e-visa is tied to specific entry dates. If your travel dates change, you’ll need to reapply. Double-check everything before submitting.

Waiting until the last minute. If something goes wrong with your application — a photo issue, a typo, a processing delay — you’ll want time to fix it. Apply at least a week before you travel.

Quick Reference: Vietnam E-Visa for Canadians

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Canadians get a Vietnam visa on arrival? Yes, but Visa on Arrival requires an advance approval letter from a licensed agency, and you still pay a stamping fee at the airport. The e-visa is simpler, cheaper in most cases, and we recommend it for the vast majority of Canadian travellers.

How long can Canadians stay in Vietnam? With the 2026 e-visa, Canadians can stay up to 90 days per entry. Tourist visas cannot be extended, so if you want to stay longer, you’ll need to leave and re-enter or explore other visa categories.

Can I apply for a Vietnam e-visa from Canada? Yes, the entire process is online and can be completed from anywhere in the world.

What’s the best time to apply? At least 7–10 days before your intended entry date into Vietnam.

Is the Vietnam e-visa accepted at land borders? Yes — as of 2025, the e-visa is accepted at all official entry points including airports, land crossings, and seaports.

Final Thoughts

Getting your Vietnam visa as a Canadian in 2026 is genuinely one of the simpler parts of planning your trip. The e-visa system is well-designed, affordable, and fast — as long as you use the official site and give yourself enough lead time.

Vietnam is an extraordinary country and well worth every step of the planning process. If you’re heading there as part of a longer Southeast Asia journey, check out our full Asia trip overview and our e-SIM recommendations to stay connected throughout your trip.

Got questions about the Vietnam visa process? Drop them in the comments and we’ll help you out!