Vietnam visa for citizens of China

Planning a trip to Vietnam from China? Before booking your flight or arranging your overland route, there is one step that cannot be skipped: applying for a Vietnam visa.

Unlike some Southeast Asian destinations, Vietnam does not grant visa-free access to Chinese passport holders. Every Chinese citizen — whether traveling for tourism, business, or family visits — must obtain a valid Vietnam visa before entering the country.

The good news: with the right preparation, the process is fast. Your visa can be approved within 1–2 working days through GetVisaVietnam’s expert service. This guide covers every requirement, every document specification, and every entry route so you get it right the first time.

Vietnam Visa Options for Chinese Citizens in 2026

Chinese passport holders have three official pathways to obtain a Vietnam visa:

Option 1: Vietnam E-Visa — Best for Chinese Travelers to Vietnam

What Is the Vietnam E-Visa?

The Vietnam e-Visa is an official government-issued visa applied for entirely online through Vietnam’s Immigration Department portal at evisa.gov.vn. No embassy visit required. No physical paperwork. Your approved visa arrives by email as a PDF — download it, print it, and present it at immigration.

As of 2026, the e-Visa allows Chinese citizens to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days per entry, with a choice of single-entry or multiple-entry options. It is accepted at 42 international entry points — all major airports, select approved land borders, and seaports.

E-Visa Key Facts (2026)

• Maximum stay: 90 days per entry
• Entry type available: Single-entry or multiple-entry
• Official processing time: 3–7 working days
• GetVisaVietnam processing: Normal 3–6 working days · Urgent 2 working days · Super urgent same day (2–4 hours)
• Validity starts: From date of issue — not from entry date
• Entry route: Air travel to approved airports — NOT valid at most land border crossings from China
• Approved entry points: 42 international entry points

Documents Required for Vietnam E-Visa — Chinese Citizens

Vietnam e-Visa Cost

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Open the official Vietnam e-Visa portal: evisa.gov.vn — or use GetVisaVietnam’s assisted service to have experts handle the entire application on your behalf, avoiding payment issues and document errors.
2. Select “Grant E-Visa to Foreigners” and choose China (中国) as your nationality.
3. Enter your personal information exactly as it appears in your passport — full name in Pinyin (as printed in the Machine Readable Zone), passport number, date of birth, expiry date, purpose of visit.
4. Select your entry and exit ports — choose the specific airport you are flying into. This must match your actual arrival point.
5. Upload your passport bio page scan (color JPEG, all corners visible, no flash glare, under 2MB).
6. Upload your passport-style photo (pure white background, face fills 70–80% of frame, JPEG under 2MB).
7. Pay the fee with a Visa or Mastercard.
8. Check application status after 3 – 6 working days on the portal using your transaction code.
9. Download and print your approved e-Visa PDF. Always carry a printed physical copy — required at immigration.

Passport and Photo Requirements: Exact Specifications

Passport Requirements

• Accepted type: Ordinary passport (普通护照), Official passport (公务护照)
• Validity: At least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into Vietnam
• Blank pages: Minimum 2 blank visa pages available
• Condition: Physically undamaged — no torn pages, no water damage, legible Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the bio page
• Not accepted: Emergency travel documents, expired passports, passports previously reported lost or stolen

Example & Requirements for Vietnam e-Visa application

Passport Photo Requirements (E-Visa)

Vietnam E-Visa Photo Requirements

Option 2: Visa on Arrival (VOA) — For Air Travel, Urgent Cases

The Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available to Chinese citizens arriving by air only. Unlike the e-Visa, the visa stamp is obtained at the immigration desk at the Vietnam airport on arrival — but you still need a pre-approved approval letter before you board your flight.

How VOA Works

1. Submit your application through a licensed Vietnam visa agency — GetVisaVietnam processes approval letters within 2–4 working hours for urgent cases
2. Receive your Visa Approval Letter by email
3. Print the approval letter and bring two passport-style photos (4×6 cm, white background)
4. On arrival at a Vietnam international airport, go to the VOA counter with your passport, approval letter, and photos
5. Pay the stamping fee: $25 USD single entry / $50 USD multiple entry — cash only (USD or VND)
6. Receive your visa stamp and proceed through immigration

VOA: Available Airports

• Noi Bai International Airport — Hanoi
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport — Ho Chi Minh City
• Da Nang International Airport
• Cam Ranh International Airport — Nha Trang
• Phu Quoc International Airport
• And other Vietnam international airports

Option 3: Embassy Visa — Required for Land and Sea Border Entry

Chinese travelers entering Vietnam by land from China or by sea must obtain a visa at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in China before departure. This is a firm rule — the VOA are not accepted at most land border gates between China and Vietnam.

Vietnam Consulates in China

Documents Required at the Vietnamese Embassy

• Original Chinese passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
• Completed visa application form (obtain from Embassy website or in person)
• Two (02) passport-style photos: 4×6 cm, white background
• Visa fee — payment method varies by consulate (bank transfer or cash)
• Proof of purpose: flight/train booking, hotel reservation, business invitation letter (for business visa)

Processing time: 4–5 working days standard | 2–3 days express (higher fee)

China–Vietnam Land Border Crossings

The most commonly used land border crossings between China and Vietnam in 2026:

Special Cases: Who Has Different Rules

Overseas Vietnamese Residing in China (Việt kiều)

Overseas Vietnamese (người Việt Nam định cư ở nước ngoài) and their spouses and children may be eligible for a 5-year visa exemption certificate through the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. This allows multiple entries without applying each time. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing for eligibility requirements.

APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders

Chinese citizens with a valid APEC Business Travel Card endorsed for Vietnam may enter visa-free for up to 60 days per visit for business purposes. This card is issued separately through China’s Ministry of Commerce and is distinct from ordinary passport travel.

Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders

Holders of Chinese diplomatic passports (外交护照) may have different bilateral arrangements. Consult the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing for requirements specific to your passport type.

Minors (Under 18)

Every traveler — including infants — requires their own individual passport and their own Vietnam visa. Children cannot be added to a parent’s visa.

• Child with both parents: standard documents apply
• Child with one parent only: notarized consent letter from absent parent strongly recommended
• Unaccompanied minors: contact your airline — policies vary by carrier

Hong Kong and Macau SAR Passport Holders

HKSAR and Macau SAR passport holders have separate bilateral visa arrangements with Vietnam and are treated differently from mainland Chinese passport holders. Contact the Vietnamese Consulate-General in Hong Kong or Macau for your specific requirements before travel.

6 Common Mistakes Chinese Travelers Make — And How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Trying to Enter by Land with an visa VOA

This is the most serious mistake — and the most expensive. The Visa VOA is valid at airports, but not at most China–Vietnam land border crossings. If you plan to cross overland, obtain an e-Visa or Embassy visa in China first. Do not arrive at the border expecting an Visa VOA to work.

Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Photo Background

Chinese ID cards and domestic passport photos use blue or red backgrounds. The Vietnam e-Visa requires a pure white background only. Any other color will cause your application to be rejected. Take a fresh photo specifically for this application.

Mistake 3: Name Entered Incorrectly

Enter your name in Pinyin, exactly as it appears in your passport’s Machine Readable Zone (the printed lines at the bottom of your bio page). Do not enter Chinese characters. Do not abbreviate or modify the name. Even a single space in the wrong place can cause immigration issues on arrival.

Mistake 4: UnionPay Card Fails, No Backup Available

Domestic Chinese UnionPay (银联) debit cards frequently fail on Vietnam’s official e-Visa portal. If your only card fails, you cannot complete the application. Use a Visa or Mastercard credit card, or a dual-currency (双币) UnionPay card. GetVisaVietnam’s assisted service handles payment on your behalf, eliminating this issue entirely.

Mistake 5: Visa Expires Before You Travel

Your e-Visa validity begins from the date of issue — not your entry date. Applying too early means the visa may expire before your trip begins. Apply no more than 7–14 days before your departure to avoid this.

Mistake 6: Not Printing the E-Visa

Vietnamese immigration — especially at airports — routinely requires a printed physical copy of your e-Visa. A PDF on your phone is not always accepted. Print your e-Visa in color and carry it with your passport from the moment you leave home.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Before Applying

• ☐ Chinese passport valid for 6+ months beyond entry date
• ☐ At least 2 blank visa pages in passport
• ☐ Color passport bio page scan ready (JPEG, under 2MB)
• ☐ White-background passport photo ready (JPEG, 4×6 cm, under 2MB)
• ☐ Entry and exit ports confirmed
• ☐ Travel dates confirmed
• ☐ Visa or Mastercard ready for $25 USD payment

After Visa Approval

• ☐ E-Visa PDF downloaded
• ☐ Physical color printout of e-Visa
• ☐ Return or onward ticket booked (for airline check-in)
• ☐ Hotel booking confirmed (first 2–3 nights)
• ☐ Travel insurance purchased
• ☐ Bank card(s) notified for international travel
• ☐ USD cash arranged for arrival-day expenses (SIM card, transport, tips)

Day of Departure

• ☐ Original Chinese passport
• ☐ Printed e-Visa (or Embassy visa sticker in passport)
• ☐ Return ticket confirmation
• ☐ Hotel booking confirmation
• ☐ Travel insurance documents
• ☐ GetVisaVietnam support line: +84 9 8852 2908 (8:00–22:00 GMT+7)

Frequently asked questions

Related Articles

• Vietnam Visa for US Citizens: Complete 2026 Guide
• Vietnam Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Full Document Checklist
• How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa: Step-by-Step
• Vietnam Visa on Arrival: How It Works in 2026
• Vietnam Visa Extension: How to Stay Longer in Vietnam

Last updated: June 5, 2026. Information verified against Vietnam Immigration Department official portal (evisa.gov.vn), the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, and the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs bilateral visa exemption policy records.