The short answer: most visitors now need a Vietnam e-visa, which you apply for online before you fly. It currently costs about US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, allows a stay of up to 90 days, and is accepted at Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR), the gateway to Nha Trang. A number of nationalities can enter visa-free for a set period instead, so the first thing to check is which group your passport falls into.
Vietnam simplified its entry rules in recent years, and the e-visa now covers travellers from every country. This guide walks through who needs a visa, what the e-visa costs and how long it lasts, how to apply through the official site, and what to expect at immigration when you land at Cam Ranh. Treat it as a practical overview, and always confirm the current details for your nationality before you book.
Do you need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Vietnam waives the visa for a list of nationalities for a limited stay. Citizens of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, among others, can currently visit visa-free for up to 45 days, and many neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia have their own arrangements. If your nationality is not on the exemption list, or you want to stay longer than the exemption allows, you apply for an e-visa. Because these lists change, confirm your status on the official portal before you travel.
The Vietnam e-visa: cost, length and how it works
The e-visa is the route most travellers take. It is open to all nationalities, it is valid for a stay of up to 90 days, and you can choose single or multiple entry. The government fee is currently around US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. You apply online, upload a few documents, pay by card, and receive an approved e-visa as a PDF that you print and bring with you. Processing usually takes about three working days, though it can run longer in busy periods, so apply at least a week before you fly.
What you need to apply
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with blank pages.
- A clear scan of your passport photo page.
- A passport-style photo (white background, no glasses).
- A credit or debit card to pay the fee.
- Your travel dates, an address in Vietnam, and your chosen port of entry. Select Cam Ranh International Airport if you are flying into Nha Trang.
Apply only through the official site
Use the Vietnamese government portal at evisa.gov.vn and nowhere else. Many lookalike agency sites rank high in search results and add a large mark-up on top of the real fee for the same document. The official site is the cheapest, and the only one that issues the visa directly. Save and print your approval, and double-check that your name, passport number and port of entry match your booking exactly.
Arriving at Cam Ranh (CXR)
Cam Ranh is one of Vietnam's approved e-visa airports, so the process on arrival is straightforward. Have your passport and the printed e-visa ready, join the immigration queue, and an officer checks your documents and stamps you in. With a valid e-visa there is no extra payment at the counter, unlike the older visa-on-arrival route. After immigration you collect your bags, clear customs, and step out to arrange the ride to your hotel. The airport sits about 35 km south of the city, so see getting from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang for your options, and hotels near the airport if you land late.
E-visa or visa on arrival?
You may still read about visa on arrival, which requires an approval letter arranged in advance and then a stamping fee paid in cash at the airport. For most leisure travellers the e-visa has made it redundant: it is simpler, the price is fixed and clear, and you arrive with everything already approved. Unless you have a specific reason to use visa on arrival, the e-visa is the easier choice for Cam Ranh.
| At a glance | Vietnam e-visa |
|---|---|
| Fee (single entry) | About US$25 |
| Fee (multiple entry) | About US$50 |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple |
| Where to apply | Official portal, evisa.gov.vn |
| Processing time | About 3 working days (apply early) |
| Valid at Cam Ranh (CXR)? | Yes |
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Visa-exempt nationality, short stay | Enter visa-free for your allowed days; check the official list |
| Most other travellers | Apply for an e-visa online before you fly |
| Staying beyond 90 days, or working or studying | Arrange the right visa through a Vietnamese embassy |
Once you are through immigration, the holiday begins. Plan the next steps with our guides to getting from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang and the resorts, things to do in Nha Trang, and the best time to visit Nha Trang.
This is an independent airport guide, not affiliated with the official airport or any government, and it is general information rather than immigration advice. Visa rules, fees and exemption lists change; always confirm the current requirements for your nationality on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, or with a Vietnamese embassy before you travel (June 2026).
