“Tourism” purpose of entry. It’s the same official electronic visa issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department for any short-term visit — the only thing that makes it a “tourist visa” is that you select Tourism as your reason for travelling, rather than Business.
There’s no separate form, no separate government fee, and no separate document type. If your trip is a holiday, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family, this is the entry you select.
This visa is right for you if you’re:
- Visiting Vietnam for sightseeing, a beach holiday, or general travel
- Visiting friends or family, without conducting any business activity
- Planning a stay of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
- Not eligible for Vietnam’s short-stay visa exemption (or want the longer 90-day stay instead)
This is not the right selection if:
- Your trip involves business meetings, conferences, or contract negotiations — see our Vietnam Business Visa page instead
- You intend to undertake paid work in Vietnam — a tourist (or business) e-visa does not authorize employment
What You’ll Need
The document requirements are the same as any Vietnam e-visa application — a valid passport, a recent portrait photo, and your planned entry/exit details. What’s specific to a tourist application is how you should think about a couple of fields:
| For Tourism Applications | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Purpose of entry: “Tourism” | This is the field that actually defines your visa as a tourist visa — select it accurately |
| Accommodation address | Have your first hotel or homestay address ready; multi-city tourists sometimes list their first stop |
| Return or onward ticket | Not always checked, but worth having proof of, especially for longer 90-day stays |
| Entry/exit ports | Choose based on your actual itinerary — you can exit through a different port than you entered |
For the full document checklist and photo specifications, see the complete Vietnam e-visa requirements.
Common Tourist Visa Situations
Traveling as a family or group? Each traveler — including children — needs their own individual application with the Tourism purpose selected, even if you’re all booked on the same itinerary.
Doing a multi-country Southeast Asia trip? If you’re planning to visit Vietnam, leave, and come back within your trip (for example, Vietnam → Cambodia → Vietnam), a multiple-entry tourist visa is generally the right choice over applying twice.
Combining tourism with a short unpaid business meeting? This is one of the most common gray areas travelers ask about. If business activity is a minor, incidental part of a mostly tourist trip, speak with our specialists before applying — selecting the wrong purpose can create complications at immigration.
How to Apply
Applying for a tourist visa follows the same process as any Vietnam e-visa — you can either use the official government portal yourself, or have our specialists prepare, review, and submit it for you. See the full step-by-step application process, processing times, and pricing on our Vietnam E-Visa page →
In short, applying through us looks like this:
- Message us your passport photo page, portrait photo, and trip details (dates, entry port, purpose: Tourism) by WhatsApp or email
- A visa specialist reviews everything for errors before submission
- We file your tourist visa application and keep you updated
- You receive your approved e-visa by email, ready to print
Pricing starts from $49 for Standard processing (3–5 working days), with faster tiers available for travelers on a tighter timeline. View full pricing tiers →
👉 Message us on WhatsApp or by email to start your tourist visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a “tourist visa” different from an e-visa? No. The e-visa is the visa type; “tourist visa” simply describes selecting Tourism as your purpose of entry on the same application.
2. How long can I stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa? Up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry, depending on what you apply for and are granted.
3. Can I do any business activity while on a tourist visa? No — a tourist visa is intended for tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends/family only. Business meetings, conferences, or paid work should be entered under the Business purpose instead.
4. Do children need their own tourist visa? Yes, every traveler needs an individual application with their own passport details, even infants.
5. Can I switch from tourist to business purpose after applying? No. If your trip’s purpose changes, you’ll need to submit a new application under the correct purpose.
6. Is a tourist visa cheaper than a business visa? No — the government fee and our service pricing are the same regardless of purpose; only the intended activity differs. See the full pricing table.
7. What’s the difference between a tourist visa and a visa exemption? Visa exemption lets certain nationalities enter visa-free for a limited period (commonly 14–45 days) without applying for anything. A tourist visa is for travelers who either aren’t exempt, or want the longer 90-day stay.
8. Can I extend a tourist visa while in Vietnam? Currently, e-visas — including tourist visas — can’t be extended in-country. Most travelers exit to a neighboring country and reapply, or convert to a different visa type if eligible.
Ready to Book Your Vietnam Holiday?
Getting your tourist visa right the first time means one less thing to worry about before you fly. Send us your details and let our specialists handle the rest.
👉 Message us on WhatsApp or by email
Traveling for business instead? See our Vietnam Business Visa page. Need the full requirements, pricing, and application process? Visit our Vietnam E-Visa page.
