When I first landed in Ha Long Bay 10 years ago, I didn't even know if I needed a Vietnam visa. I even had to ask the person next to me while standing in line at Incheon Airport. Back then, the visa-free period was 15 days; some people had brought their visa documents separately, while others were just standing blankly in front of the visa-on-arrival counter. The reason the Vietnam visa feels difficult is that information is scattered.
Things have changed now. As of 2026, entering Vietnam for South Koreans is quite simple. This article summarizes in one place what is required and what choices to make in different situations.
This article is not based on tourism agency data, but on the experience of a guide who has lived in Ha Long Bay for 10 years and welcomed hundreds of travelers. Policies change occasionally, but what is important in practice rarely changes.
If You Have a Korean Passport — Visa-Free Stay Period and Conditions in Vietnam
The answer to the question of whether one can enter Vietnam without a visa is, "A Korean passport is sufficient." From August 15, 2023, the visa-free stay period for Koreans in Vietnam has increased from 15 days to 45 daysIt has been expanded. It is a sufficient period for most travel itineraries.
There are three conditions for visa-free entry.
First, passport valid for at least 6 months.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. More than half of the cases where people get stuck at airport check-in are due to failing to meet this requirement. When traveling, the proper order is to check your passport before your flight ticket.
Second, possession of a return flight ticket.
When entering Vietnam without a visa, you are required to provide documentation proving your intention to depart the country. Without a return ticket, you may be denied boarding at the airline check-in stage. If your itinerary is flexible, you may consider temporarily booking a refundable ticket.
Third, limited to ordinary passports.
Emergency passports (travel certificates) are not eligible for visa-free entry. If you depart with an emergency passport without renewing your original passport, you may encounter problems upon entering Vietnam.
The 45-day visa-free stay in Vietnam is ample for travel. Even if you visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh, you can usually finish within two weeks. To use the full 45 days, you would need to stay in one city for quite a long time or travel slowly across Vietnam. If you need more time, it is better to switch to an E-visa.
Comparison of Vietnam Visa Types — How to Apply for an E-Visa and Visa on Arrival
If 45 days is insufficient, if you do not have a return ticket, or if you plan to stay for a long period, you need to apply for a Vietnam visa. There are two main types of Vietnam visas: the E-visa (electronic visa) and the visa on arrival.
| item | E-visa | Visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| singular/plural | Selectable | Selectable |
| expense | Singular $25 / Multiplier $50 | Agency approval letter $20~25 + airport stamp $25 |
| How to apply | Apply directly online before departure | Agency approval letter + Visa collection at airport arrival counter |
| Processing period | 3 business days | Reliance on an agency (usually 1-3 days) |
| return ticket | otiosity | otiosity |
| Recommended | ✅ Standard Recommendation | exceptional situations such as insufficient passport validity |
As of 2026 E-visa is standardYou can apply directly on the official website, and once approved, simply print out the PDF and bring it with you. A visa on arrival must be obtained through an agency, incurs higher costs, and requires an additional wait at the airport visa counter.
Official E-Visa Application Center: Vietnam Immigration Department Official Website (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn)
⚠️ Caution: If you search for “Vietnam visa application” on Google or Naver, unofficial agency sites appear at the top of the search results. These are paid services that handle the same visa for 1 TP4 T100 or more. If you apply directly through the official website, the cost is 1 TP4 T25 for a single entry. You can apply with just an email address.
Vietnam Entry Procedures — How It Actually Works at Hanoi Airport
Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, the process is simple: Immigration → Baggage claim → Customs → Exit.
Immigration inspectionAt the Foreigners counter, stand in line. During peak seasons (Lunar New Year holidays, April–May, July–August), wait times of 30 minutes to an hour may occur. If using an E-visa, submit your visa document PDF and passport together.
About the arrival card: Vietnam abolished the completion of paper arrival cards starting in August 2023. There is no need to fill out separate documents at the airport. Previously, passengers had to receive and fill out an arrival card on the airplane, but that procedure is no longer required.
SIM cardIt can be purchased at mobile carrier stores (Viettel, Mobifone, Vietnamobile) inside the airport. The price is approximately 150,000 to 200,000 VND (about 8,000 to 11,000 KRW), and you can choose from 7 to 30-day data plans. It is advantageous to prepare an eSIM in advance in Korea to save time at the airport.
currency exchangeIt is better not to exchange money at the airport. The exchange rates at airport currency exchange offices are 5 to 101 TfL less favorable than in the city. Withdrawing money from ATMs in downtown Hanoi (Vietcombank or BIDV recommended) or exchanging money at gold and silver shops on Hang Van Street in the Old Quarter is much more advantageous. The standard practice is to exchange only enough money for a taxi fare immediately after arrival at the airport, and handle the rest in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions — Questions Actually Received by the 10-Year Guide
Here are the four most frequently asked questions from tour applicants.
Q1. Is a Vietnam visa required? Is a 45-day visa-free stay sufficient?
A 45-day visa-free stay is sufficient for general travel. Even if you visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh, most of the itinerary can be completed within 10 to 14 days. If you anticipate a stay exceeding 45 days or do not possess a return ticket, you must apply for an E-visa in advance.
Q2. Is it possible to re-enter Vietnam without a visa?
It is possible. Previously, re-entry was prohibited for 30 days after departing following a visa-free entry, but this restriction was abolished with the amendment of the law in 2020. While theoretically consecutive re-entries are possible, I want to be frank that they may be restricted at the discretion of airport immigration officers. If you frequently make short-term entries and exits, immigration officers may question your purpose of stay.
Q3. What happens if my passport is less than 6 months away?
In principle, visa-free entry is denied. In some cases, boarding is blocked at the airline check-in stage. If your passport is valid for less than six months, it is strongly recommended to renew it before departure. A visa on arrival can be applied for if your passport is valid for at least two months, but it is not possible if it is valid for less than two months.
Q4. What are the precautions when applying for an E-visa?
You must book your flight ticket before applying for an E-visa. This is because you must pre-select the Port of Entry on the E-visa application screen. If you are entering through Hanoi, you must select Hanoi (Noi Bai); if your itinerary involves Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, you must accurately select the corresponding airport. If the designated Port of Entry differs from your actual arrival airport, entry will be denied.
You must save the Registration Code displayed on the screen after completing the application separately. It is required to check the results.
Once you have finished preparing your visa, the next step is the itinerary. If you are unsure how to combine your trip from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Sapa, the quickest way is to ask a local guide first.
👉 Consult on Tour Itinerary
Top 5 Vietnam Visa Mistakes Seen by Locals
These are mistakes I have witnessed repeatedly while touring for 10 years.
Mistake 1 — Checking passport expiration date later than flight ticket
It is common to buy a plane ticket first and then check the validity of one's passport. The order is reversed. A passport valid for at least six months is a basic requirement for entry into Vietnam. Checking the passport comes first, and the flight ticket comes next.
Mistake 2 — Applying for an E-visa through an unofficial agency site
“If you search for "Vietnam visa application," you will find agency websites displayed as advertisements. They process the same E-visa for 1 TP4 T60 to 100. If you apply directly through the official website (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn), the cost is 1 TP4 T25 for a single entry and 1 TP4 T50 for a multiple entry. Although the process is conducted in English, it is not difficult. You only need an email address, a scanned copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and a payment card.
Mistake 3 — Incorrectly designate the E-visa entry airport
This applies to cases where a final destination airport is selected for a transit itinerary via Hanoi, or where the itinerary is changed but the entry airport on the E-visa is not updated. The E-visa Port of Entry must match the actual entry airport exactly. If it does not, entry will be denied.
Mistake 4 — Trying to handle all currency exchange at the airport
The exchange rates at the airport are bad. You lose 5 to 101 TP3T compared to the city center. It is better to exchange only enough for a taxi fare from the airport to the city center (about 300,000 to 400,000 VND) and withdraw the rest from an ATM in the city or use a gold shop on Hang Van Street in the Old Town.
Mistake 5 — Planning a Vietnam visa run too easily
A Vietnam visa run is a method used by long-term residents to extend their visas. Theoretically, one can extend their stay through a cycle of 90 days on an E-visa → 45 days on a visa-free basis → 90 days on an E-visa. However, Vietnam's visa policies change frequently. Even if it is legally permissible, the outcome may depend on the judgment of the on-site immigration officer, and to my knowledge, officers sometimes verify visa run eligibility by reviewing a history. If you are planning a long-term stay, you must check the policies in advance.
If you want to experience Vietnam that packages don't show:
👉 Consult on local guide tours
A visa is not the start of a journey. It is merely standing at the door. The real Vietnam begins after you open that door and step inside.
If you have taken your first step at Hanoi Airport, it is now time to consider where to go. Hanoi 3-Night, 4-Day Travel ItineraryThis will be helpful. If you are planning a northern itinerary leading to Ha Long Bay Halong Bay Cruise Selection GuideI also recommend reading this.
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The author resides in Ha Long Bay and works as a tour guide, operates a travel agency, and engages in local investment. For private tour consultations and travel inquiries, please use the 'Tour Inquiry' option in the top menu.