Madagascar citizens are required to obtain a valid Vietnam visa before entry, as no visa exemption treaty exists between the two countries. The Vietnam e-visa (processed online through the official EVISA Vietnam portal under the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is the most practical option for Malagasy passport holders, offering stays of up to 90 days for both single and multiple entries.
Visa on arrival is also available but demands an advance approval letter and is restricted to international airports only. Fees start at USD 25 for the official e-visa, with processing taking approximately 3 business days for a complete application.
Do Madagascar citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?
Yes, all Madagascar citizens holding a valid Malagasy passport are required to obtain a visa before entering Vietnam. There is currently no bilateral visa exemption agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Madagascar [1]. This is a firm entry rule enforced by Vietnam Immigration at every international port of entry.
In addition to holding a valid Vietnam visa, Malagasy passport holders must also satisfy the following Vietnam entry requirements:
The Madagascar passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of arrival in Vietnam
The passport must contain at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps
Travelers must hold proof of onward or return travel
Evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of stay may be requested at the immigration counter
Purpose of travel
Visa required for Madagascar citizens
Tourism
Yes
Business
Yes
Study
Yes
Work
Yes
Transit (airside, under 24h)
Typically not required
From our practical experience , Madagascar travelers are sometimes unaware that Vietnam does not grant visa-free access to citizens of most African nations. Confirming your visa eligibility before booking flights from Antananarivo to Vietnam is a non-negotiable first step.
Types of Vietnam visa available for Madagascar passport holders
Madagascar citizens have two legally recognized channels to obtain a Vietnam visa:
1. Vietnam e-Visa (EVISA): Processed through the official Vietnam e-visa portal maintained by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is fully online and requires no embassy visit.
2. Embassy visa via approval letter: Applied at a Vietnam embassy or consulate, using a visa approval letter issued in advance by the Vietnam Immigration Department.
The Vietnam e-visa application is conducted entirely online, requiring no physical travel to an embassy or consulate. This is a significant advantage for Madagascar passport holders, who would otherwise need to travel to a third country to access a Vietnamese diplomatic mission.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Before starting your application on the official Vietnam e-visa portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn), gather the following:
Valid Madagascar passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
High-resolution digital passport photo (white background, recent)
Digital portrait photo meeting ICAO biometric standards
Active email address for application correspondence
Credit or debit card for the official government fee payment
Confirmed entry checkpoint and planned travel dates
Step 2: Complete the online application form
Fill in all required fields accurately: full name as printed in your Malagasy passport, date of birth, passport number, passport expiry date, nationality, entry and exit checkpoints, and intended travel dates.
Any discrepancy between the e-visa data and your physical Madagascar passport is among the most common causes of rejection or denial at the border, a pattern we have documented repeatedly in our visa processing work.
Step 3: Pay the e-visa fee and submit
The official government fee for a Vietnam e-visa is USD 25, paid online by card. After submission, a confirmation reference number is issued to your registered email. The standard processing time is 3 business days from the date of a complete and valid submission.
Step 4: Download and print your approved e-visa
Once issued, the Vietnam e-visa is sent to your registered email as a PDF. Print a physical copy to present alongside your Madagascar passport at Vietnam’s immigration counter upon arrival. Relying solely on a digital screen copy is not advisable, as some entry checkpoints specifically require a printed document.
Entry checkpoints accepting Vietnam e-visa
Madagascar travelers must confirm their port of entry supports e-visa processing. The following are the main approved checkpoints:
Selected land borders and seaports also accept e-visa entry, but we strongly advise verifying the operational status of your specific land border crossing before travel, as these policies are subject to periodic revision by Vietnamese immigration authorities.
A critical warning: a number of third-party websites closely mimic the official Vietnam e-visa portal and charge substantially inflated fees while providing no added service value.
These scam sites are particularly active in targeting travelers from Africa and Indian Ocean island nations searching for “Vietnam visa Madagascar” or “Madagascar to Vietnam visa” online. Always verify the official URL or work with a licensed, reputable Vietnam visa service.
Tan Van Lang provides reliable Vietnam visa services backed by over 20 years of professional experience.
Vietnam visa on arrival is widely searched but frequently misunderstood. It does not mean simply arriving at a Vietnamese airport and receiving a visa spontaneously. It is a structured two-step process that requires advance preparation before departure.
How the visa on arrival process works
Step 1: Obtain a visa approval letter
A visa approval letter must be secured before you board your flight to Vietnam. This letter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department and is arranged through a licensed Vietnam visa agency or a sponsoring entity in Vietnam. Without this letter, you will not be processed at the visa-on-arrival counter.
Step 2: Collect the visa stamp upon arrival
On arrival at a designated Vietnamese international airport, present the following at the visa-on-arrival counter:
Required item
Notes
Printed visa approval letter
Must be obtained in advance
Valid Madagascar passport
Minimum 6 months validity
Two passport photos (4x6cm)
Recent, white background
Completed NA1 entry/exit form
Available at the airport
Visa stamping fee (cash, USD)
USD 25 (single entry) / USD 50 (multiple entry)
Key restriction: Vietnam visa on arrival is only available at international airports, it is not accepted at land borders or seaports. For Madagascar citizens whose entire Antananarivo–Vietnam journey is by air, this remains a valid option, but the Vietnam e-visa is now generally preferred as it eliminates the two-step structure and consolidates the process before departure.
We support foreigners with accurate consultation and compliant visa solutions for Vietnam.
Vietnam visa fees and processing time for Madagascar nationals
Below is a comprehensive breakdown for Malagasy passport holders [2].
Vietnam e-visa fees
Fee type
Amount (USD)
Official government e-visa fee
25
Additional service fee (licensed agency)
Variable (typically USD 10–45)
Priority processing (via agency)
Variable
The USD 25 government fee applies to both single-entry and multiple-entry e-visas following Vietnam’s 2023 visa policy reform — a significant improvement over the previous two-tier fee structure.
Vietnam visa validity and length of stay for Madagascar citizens
Vietnam’s August 2023 visa policy reform substantially expanded the flexibility available to international travelers, including citizens of African nations and Indian Ocean island countries such as Madagascar.
Current validity terms
Visa type
Max stay per entry
Total visa validity
Re-entry permitted
Single-entry e-visa
90 days
90 days from issue date
No
Multiple-entry e-visa
90 days per stay
90 days
Yes
Single-entry embassy visa
Up to 90 days
As stamped
No
Multiple-entry embassy visa
Up to 12 months
As stamped
Yes
Vietnam visa extension for Madagascar citizens
Madagascar citizens who are already in Vietnam on a valid e-visa or tourist visa may apply for an extension through the local Vietnam Immigration Department office before their current visa expires.
Extensions are not automatic and are subject to discretionary approval. Our experience with extension cases indicates that approval rates are higher when supported by proper documentation and when applications are submitted well before expiry — not in the final 24–48 hours.
Temporary residence registration
One important legal obligation frequently overlooked by first-time visitors from Madagascar is the temporary residence declaration (khai báo tạm trú). Under Vietnamese law, all foreign nationals staying at private accommodation must register their temporary residence with local police within 24 hours of arrival.
Hotels and licensed guesthouses handle this on behalf of guests automatically. Travelers staying with local contacts or in privately rented units must ensure this registration is completed independently to remain compliant with Vietnam immigration regulations.
Can Madagascar citizens get a Vietnam visa on arrival?
Yes, Madagascar citizens are eligible for Vietnam visa on arrival, but exclusively at designated international airports, including Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, and Cam Ranh. This route requires obtaining a visa approval letter in advance through a licensed Vietnam visa service before boarding. Visa on arrival is not available at land border crossings or seaports.
How long does it take to process a Vietnam e-visa for Madagascar citizens?
The standard processing time for a Vietnam e-visa is 3 business days from the date of a complete, error-free submission. Applications submitted through Tan Van Lang’s assisted service include a pre-submission document compliance review, significantly reducing the risk of rejection due to photo format errors, passport data mismatches, or incorrect entry checkpoint declarations, all common issues in applications from Africa Vietnam visa seekers.
What documents are required for a Vietnam visa application from Madagascar?
For a Vietnam e-visa, the core requirements are:
Valid Madagascar passport (minimum 6 months validity from intended arrival date in Vietnam)
ICAO-compliant digital passport photo (white background)
Digital headshot portrait photo
Active email address
Credit or debit card for official fee payment
Travel details including entry/exit checkpoints and planned dates
For an embassy visa or visa on arrival, additional items include a printed visa approval letter, two passport-size photos (4x6cm), and a completed NA1 entry/exit declaration form.
Is there a visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Madagascar?
No, as of 2026, there is no bilateral visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Madagascar. All holders of a Malagasy passport must obtain a valid Vietnam visa through one of the approved application channels before or upon arrival.Tan Van Lang continuously monitors updates to Vietnam’s visa exemption policy, and our advisory team will notify clients of any changes that affect Madagascar citizens.
How much does a Vietnam visa cost for Madagascar passport holders?
The official Vietnam e-visa fee is USD 25, payable online during the application process, covering both single-entry and multiple-entry visa types. For embassy-processed visas, stamp fees range from USD 25 to USD 50 depending on entry type. If you use a professional visa service, an additional service fee applies, this covers document checking, portal submission, and application tracking to ensure your visa arrives without error or delay.
Can Madagascar citizens extend their Vietnam visa after arrival?
Yes, visa extensions are possible but not guaranteed. Madagascar citizens wishing to stay beyond their original visa validity must apply to the Vietnam Immigration Department before their current visa expires. Overstaying results in administrative fines and can negatively affect future visa applications or entry eligibility to Vietnam. Our team at Tan Van Lang provides full extension support, including documentation preparation and direct follow-up with immigration authorities.
Which Vietnam international airports accept visa on arrival for Madagascar citizens?
The following airports officially process Vietnam visa on arrival for Malagasy passport holders:
Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
Da Nang International Airport
Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang)
Regional airports such as Phu Quoc International Airport may also process visa on arrival in certain cases, but we advise confirming current operational status directly before travel. Entry checkpoint policies are determined by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam Immigration, and can be revised with limited advance notice.
Conclusion
For professional assistance with your Vietnam visa application from Madagascar, contact Tan Van Lang’s senior advisory team. With more than 20 years of visa processing experience since 2003, we have supported thousands of travelers from Indian Ocean island nations and across Africa in securing their Vietnam entry documentation — accurately, on time, and with full regulatory compliance.
Tôi là Khang Hy – chuyên viên tư vấn với hơn 3 năm kinh nghiệm hỗ trợ người nước ngoài tại Việt Nam trong các thủ tục visa, thẻ tạm trú và giấy phép lao động. Tôi luôn nỗ lực mang đến dịch vụ nhanh chóng, chính xác và tận tâm.