This comprehensive guide on how to apply for a Vietnam visa for South African citizens will help travelers from South Africa navigate the visa process easily and efficiently.
Yes. South African nationals are not eligible for visa exemption when entering Vietnam. Vietnam’s visa-free policy applies only to citizens of 13 selected countries[1] , and South Africa is not included. Therefore, South Africans holding an ordinary passport must obtain a visa that matches the purpose of their trip before entering Vietnam.
However, according to the bilateral agreement signed between Vietnam and South Africa on 24 May 2007 , visa exemptions apply in the following cases:
Diplomatic passport holders and official passport holders are exempted from visas for stays of up to 90 days in Vietnam.
Visa exemption is also granted during the term of duty for diplomatic passport holders, official passport holders, members of diplomatic missions, consular posts, and their accompanying family members.
Tân Văn Lang – Reliable Vietnam e-Visa and visa-on-arrival service with dedicated support for South African citizens.
How South African Citizens Can Apply for a Vietnam Visa
South African applicants have two main options when applying for a Vietnam visa:
Vietnam Electronic Visa (E-visa)
The Vietnam e-visa is a convenient choice for South African travelers visiting Vietnam for tourism or short-term business trips.
The application is fully online, saving time and reducing paperwork.
Vietnam e-visas allow a maximum stay of up to 90 days, single or multiple entries.
E-visas cannot be extended.
Vietnam Entry Approval Letter (Visa Approval Letter)
A Vietnam entry approval letter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, allowing foreigners to obtain a visa at Vietnamese embassies/consulates or at Vietnam’s international airports upon arrival.
Important: The entry approval letter is not a visa. After receiving it, the applicant must still obtain the actual visa:
Either at a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in their country, or at a Vietnam international airport (visa on arrival).
To request an approval letter, South African citizens must have a Vietnamese company or individual sponsor.
If your sponsor submits the approval letter request directly to the Vietnam Immigration Department without using any third-party service, you will not be charged any government fee for the approval letter.
Once the approval letter is issued, you must pay the visa stamping fee either at the airport (visa on arrival) or at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate. According to the official fee schedule from the Vietnam Public Service Portal [5], the fees are:
Visa Type
Validity
Fee
Single-entry visa
1 month
$25
Single-entry visa
3 months
$25
Multiple-entry visa
1 month
$50
Multiple-entry visa
3 months
$50
Multiple-entry visa
12 months
$135
Notes:
Payment can be made in cash or by international bank card.
Fees may change depending on regulations and the date of application.
Always check the latest information from:
The Vietnam Embassy in South Africa
The Vietnam Immigration Department
The Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
>>> Read more:Vietnam visa fees: Updated costs & What travelers should expect 2025
FAQ – Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens
Which airlines operate flights from South Africa to Vietnam?
Several airlines operate connecting or direct routes from South Africa to Vietnam, including:
Etihad Airways (EY) + Malaysia Airlines (MH): Johannesburg (JNB) -> Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) via Abu Dhabi (AUH) & Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Qatar Airways (QR): Johannesburg (JNB) -> Hanoi (HAN) via Doha (DOH)
Emirates (EK): Johannesburg (JNB) ->Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) via Dubai (DXB)
Etihad Airways (EY) + Asiana Airlines (OZ): Johannesburg (JNB) -> Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) via Abu Dhabi (AUH) & Seoul (ICN)
How long is the flight from South Africa to Vietnam?
The total travel time ranges from 16 hours 40 minutes to 43 hours 55 minutes, depending on the airline, transit points, and layover duration.
What is the global ranking of the South African passport?
According to the Henley Passport Index 2024 [2] the South African passport ranks 43rd globally, tied with Qatar, and has dropped two places compared to 2022.
With the detailed information above, we hope you now have a clear understanding of how to apply for a Vietnam visa for South African citizens and can prepare your documents with confidence.
Tốt nghiệp chuyên ngành quản trị kinh doanh và du lịch (MKU). Sau khi tốt nghiệp, Tôi đã có 6 năm kinh nghiệm về Dịch vụ tư vấn Tour và visa xuất cảnh, 6 năm kinh nghiệm về dịch vụ tư vấn thủ tục cho người nước ngoài.
Tôi đã tư vấn cho hơn 10.000 người Việt Nam có nhu cầu du lịch nước ngoài với tỷ lệ thành công 99%.
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