eVisa
Tourist E-visa
Entry
Validity
90 days
- Processing
- 8–10 business days
- Total cost
- $74 (US$54)
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, Canadians need a visa to enter Vietnam, but most can get one online as an e-visa before they fly.
eVisa
Business trip E-visa
Entry
Validity
90 days
- Processing
- 8–10 business days
- Total cost
- $74 (US$54)
Pre-checkedReviewed
Expert check before submission
8–10 business days
Processing time
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Vietnam Visa for Canadian Citizens: e-Visa Guide
- Visa required · e-Visa
- Apply about 21 days before arrival
- Decision in 8–10 business days
- Verified
Plusvisa is a private visa application service, not a government agency or embassy. Official government source: National Portal on Immigration (Vietnam e-Visa System), evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
Table of contents
Visa-free entry
Not available
Canada is not on Vietnam's list of visa-exempt countries.
Passport validity
6+ months beyond departure
Confirmed by Canada's own travel advisory for Vietnam.
Max e-visa stay
Up to 90 days
Single or multiple entry, chosen when you apply.
Three routes into Vietnam
Most travellers
e-Visa
Apply online through Vietnam's official immigration portal before you fly. It covers tourism and business trips up to 90 days, with entry limited to the port of entry you name on the form.
Vietnamese origin & family
Visa exemption certificate
If you are of Vietnamese origin, or the spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen, the Vietnam Embassy in Canada can issue a certificate valid up to 5 years, replacing a visa on each trip.
Longer stays, other purposes
Embassy visa
Stays over 90 days, or purposes the e-visa does not cover such as work or study, need a visa arranged through the Vietnam Embassy in Canada or a consulate before you travel.
Vietnam e-Visa types and cost for Canadian citizens, in Canadian Dollars
| e-Visa | Validity | Processing | Government fee | All-in with Plusvisa* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tourist E-visa eVisa | 90 days Single entry | 8–10 business days | US$25 ≈ $35 | ≈ $74 |
Tourist E-visa eVisa | 90 days Multiple entry | 8–10 business days | US$50 ≈ $69 | ≈ $122 |
Business trip E-visa eVisa | 90 days Single entry | 8–10 business days | US$25 ≈ $35 | ≈ $74 |
Business trip E-visa eVisa | 90 days Multiple entry | 8–10 business days | US$50 ≈ $69 | ≈ $122 |
* The government fee is the government's own charge, never refundable. All-in adds Plusvisa's service fee, per traveller; it is refunded if we cause a refusal.
The 90-day rule, and what it does not mean
Vietnam's e-visa lets you stay for a fixed number of days, up to a maximum of 90, that you set when you apply. Choose single entry for one trip, or multiple entry if you plan to leave and come back.
Tourist E-visa: 90 days per visit.
Arrive 1 March
63 of 90 days
1 Mar – 2 May: 63 of the 90 days this visa allows in one visit.
e-Visa length is fixed at application: You choose your entry date, exit date and number of entries before you apply. These cannot be changed once issued, so only apply once your trip is settled.
Visa exemption certificate: Holders of the 5-year certificate for Vietnamese-origin travellers and their family should still confirm the maximum stay allowed per entry with the Vietnam Embassy in Canada; it is not unlimited.
Embassy visa: A visa issued by the Vietnam Embassy in Canada carries its own validity and number of entries, printed on the visa itself. Check these details before you travel.
Overstaying: Staying beyond your visa's dates can bring fines and stop you leaving until this is settled. Contact the Vietnam Immigration Department before your time runs out if you need longer.
What 90 days does not mean: It is a maximum, not a guarantee. Officers can still refuse entry, and your e-visa becomes invalid if your actual travel dates fall outside those you declared.
Your document checklist
Five things to have ready before you start your application, as a Canadian applicant.
Passport data page
Must stay valid at least 6 months beyond the date you leave Vietnam, not just your entry date. Confirmed by Canada's own travel advisory for Vietnam.
Portrait photo
Upload a digital photo for the e-visa. If you apply through the Vietnam Embassy in Canada instead, send two printed photos at least 35x45mm on a plain background.
International payment card
The e-visa fee is charged in US dollars on the portal. A Canadian Visa or Mastercard set up for international online payments works.
Only for some visa types
Immigration approval letter
Only if Embassy visa route, non-tourist purposes. Only needed if you apply through the Vietnam Embassy in Canada for work, study, conferences or another purpose the e-visa does not cover.Proof of Vietnamese origin or family link
Only if Visa exemption certificate applicants only. Bring an old Vietnamese passport, birth certificate, family register or similar paper showing Vietnamese origin, or proof of marriage or parentage to a Vietnamese citizen.
When should you apply?
Processing takes 8–10 business days. Enter your arrival date and we'll work backwards.
Processing
Standard8–10 business days
Pick your arrival date
- 1
Apply online
—
Form and uploads, about 30 min
- 2
Pay the fee
—
By card, on the portal
- 3
Processing
8–10 business days
Official estimate
- 4
Approval emailed
—
Keep a copy on your phone
- 5
Arrive in Vietnam
—
Show the approval at the border
Apply only once your travel dates are fixed: the entry and exit dates on an approved e-visa cannot be changed afterwards.
Four questions, 20 seconds
Is your trip for tourism, business or another purpose the e-visa covers, not work, study or long-term stay?
Will your whole stay in Vietnam add up to 90 days or fewer?
Will you enter and exit only through one of Vietnam's official e-visa ports?
Is your Canadian passport an ordinary passport, valid at least 6 months after you leave Vietnam?
Result
Answer all four
Four quick checks of the rules that most often catch travellers out, and we'll tell you where you stand.
The application, step by step
Before you apply
- 1
Check your route
Confirm the e-visa covers your trip length and purpose. Canadians travelling for tourism or business, up to 90 days, can use it; longer stays or other purposes need a visa from the Vietnam Embassy in Canada.
- 2
Prepare your documents
Scan your Canadian passport's data page and take a digital portrait photo that meets the official rules before you start the application.
On the official portal
- 3
Apply on the official portal
Go to the National Portal on Immigration, enter your details exactly as they appear on your Canadian passport, and upload your documents.
- 4
Pay by card
Pay the e-visa fee in US dollars using an international Visa or Mastercard on the same portal.
- 5
Wait for processing
Your application is reviewed by the Immigration Department. Submitting a second application while one is pending can cause delays.
After you apply
- 6
Check your result
Enter your registration code, email and date of birth on the e-visa lookup page to see if you are approved.
- 7
Print your e-visa
Print the approved e-visa to carry with your passport. Airlines routinely check passports and visas before boarding.
- 8
Complete pre-arrival steps
Fill in Vietnam's pre-arrival declaration before or on landing, since Canadian passport holders need this like every other foreign traveller.
Questions Canadian travellers actually ask
Only through a pre-approval letter arranged before you fly, and only if you travel by air. Most Canadians use the e-visa instead, which is also applied for online before departure.
No. Vietnam's visa exemption list covers around 30 countries and Canada is not one of them. Canadians need an e-visa, an embassy visa, or a visa exemption certificate if they qualify for one.
No. E-visas are issued only by the Immigration Department through its own online portal. The Embassy in Canada issues separate stamped or loose-leaf visas instead.
It may. You could qualify for a 5-year visa exemption certificate through the Vietnam Embassy in Canada, which replaces the need to apply for a visa on every trip.
No. You can only enter and exit through the port named on your e-visa application. Check the current list on the official portal before you book, since gates are sometimes added.
Your e-visa is tied to the entry and exit dates you gave when you applied. If your actual travel falls outside them, it is no longer valid and you need a new application.
You need at least one blank page, and your passport must stay valid for 6 months beyond the day you leave Vietnam. Check both before you apply.
The portal charges the fee in US dollars. A Canadian Visa or Mastercard enabled for international online payments is generally accepted.
Visa sorted
The things that make the first
48 hours easy, compared with home
Your Canadian plug fits. Here's what to expect.
Type A
Two flat pins
Type C
Two round pins · 2.5 A
Type F
Two round pins · 16 A
Type A
Type A is used both at home and in Vietnam, so your own plugs fit — though you may meet the other types too.
Voltage
220 V · 50 Hz
Against 120 V · 60 Hz at home. Check the label on chargers and appliances: anything marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz works in both.
Pack: nothing special — your type A plugs go straight in. A small power strip is still handy where hotel rooms have one socket.
Vietnam drives on the right — just like home
Compare traffic side:
Vietnam · right-hand traffic — same as Canada
Getting around
Cities are dense with motorbike traffic. Cross roads slowly and predictably, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, and book trains or flights ahead for longer trips between regions.
Health precautions
Dengue is a year-round risk, so use insect repellent and cover up. Avoid tap water and swimming in untreated fresh water. Check routine vaccines and malaria advice for rural travel with a travel clinic before you go.
Customs and etiquette
Remove your shoes before entering homes and some temples, dress modestly at religious sites, and use both hands to offer or receive money, gifts or business cards.
Vietnamese Dongs, cash and cards
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
₫
$1 ≈ ₫18,527.9 · indicative mid-market rate, possibly a few days old
Carry small dong notes
Cash in Vietnamese dong is still standard for street food, markets and small shops. Watch out for the 20,000 and 500,000 notes, which are a similar blue shade.
Cards work in cities
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops in larger cities, and contactless payment is increasingly common.
Use bank ATMs and plan withdrawals
International cards work at ATMs nationwide, but local banks cap withdrawals lower than international ones. Withdraw extra cash before heading to rural areas with fewer ATMs.
Weather by month (Hanoi)
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
10.6°13°16.2°19.9°23.3°25°25°24.8°23.2°19.8°15.8°11.2°
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
- Daytime high
- Grey row = night low
- Best time to go
| Month | High, °C | Low, °C | Rain, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.3 | 10.6 | 31.9 |
| February | 23.4 | 13 | 21.8 |
| March | 26.6 | 16.2 | 49 |
| April · best | 30.4 | 19.9 | 77.7 |
| May · best | 31.8 | 23.3 | 178.9 |
| June | 31.9 | 25 | 201.3 |
| July | 31.7 | 25 | 299.8 |
| August | 31 | 24.8 | 321.8 |
| September · best | 30.2 | 23.2 | 222.9 |
| October · best | 27.7 | 19.8 | 124 |
| November · best | 24.7 | 15.8 | 52.2 |
| December | 20.8 | 11.2 | 25.1 |
Monthly averages. Source: NASA POWER climatology, 2001-2020.
April · ideal
The best window runs April, May, September, October and November.
High 30.4°CLow 19.9°CRain 77.7 mm
Sweet spot: Hanoi has a cool, misty winter from December to March, a hot and humid rainy season from June to August, and its most comfortable weather in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November).
One time zone
Ottawa
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Hanoi
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How much to tip, in CAD
₫300,000($16.19)
Restaurants
Not part of Vietnamese custom, but appreciated, especially if service isn't already included.
0–10%
on a ₫300,000 bill: ₫0 · $0
Hotel porters and housekeeping
Per bag or per day, more common at higher-end hotels.
₫10,000–₫50,000
$0.54–$2.70
Taxis and ride-hailing
Rounding up the fare is common but not expected.
No tip expected
Private tour guides and drivers
Per day, more for multi-day tours.
₫50,000–₫150,000
$2.70–$8.10
Spas and salons
Increasingly expected in tourist areas.
5–10%
on a ₫300,000 bill: ₫15,000 · $0.81
SIM, eSIM or roaming?
Local SIM
RecommendedLocal prepaid SIM
Airport arrival counters or shops of Viettel, Mobifone or Vinaphone in any city Usually the cheapest option, with wide 4G/5G coverage even outside major cities. Bring your passport to register the SIM.
eSIM
Travel eSIM
Online, before you travel, from an eSIM provider or your phone's own eSIM store Convenient if your phone supports eSIM, since you can activate it before landing without swapping a physical SIM.
Roaming
Roaming on your home plan
Activated through your home mobile provider before departure The simplest option but usually the most expensive; check your provider's Vietnam rates before you rely on it.
Get your Vietnam e-Visa in about ten business days, without the portal headaches
Upload a phone photo and your passport, we check them against every rule above, submit, and send your approval to your inbox. From $74 all-in.
- Card payments by PayPal
- Fee refunded if we cause a refusal
- Support by email and WhatsApp