Vietnam Visa RequirementsFor South Africa passport holders
South African passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-Visa online before travel for stays up to 90 days. The Vietnam e-Visa costs $25 USD and is processed at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The e-Visa allows single or multiple entries depending on the option selected.
South Africa passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Vietnam.
Apply for the Vietnam e-Visa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn at least 3 business days before travel. Upload a passport photo and bio-data page scan. Pay $25 USD by international card. The e-Visa is emailed as a PDF approval letter; print it to present at immigration alongside your passport. Entry is through designated international airports including Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, and others.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Passport Photo (Digital)
Recent color photo, white background, required for e-Visa application.
Scanned Passport Bio-data Page
Clear scan of passport photo page required at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
International Credit or Debit Card
Required to pay $25 USD e-Visa fee.
Required at Entry
Vietnam e-Visa Approval Letter
Print the e-Visa approval PDF from evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Present alongside your passport at immigration. Entry only through designated airports and seaports.
Valid South African Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, with at least 2 blank pages.
Return or Onward Ticket
Confirmed return or onward ticket out of Vietnam.
Current Travel Situation
South Africa to Vietnam: What You Need to Know
South Africa and Vietnam have built bilateral relations through development cooperation, trade, and diplomatic engagement since the 1990s. Vietnam is one of Asia's fastest-growing economies and a major manufacturing hub. Trade between South Africa and Vietnam is growing, covering textiles, electronics, seafood, and processed goods. Vietnam's economic rise has paralleled South Africa's as both are significant developing-world economies, and both countries engage through ASEAN-Africa and G77 forums.
How to Get There
There are no direct nonstop flights from South Africa to Vietnam. Common connections are via Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines), Bangkok (Thai Airways), or Dubai (Emirates) to Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Journey time with one stop is approximately 16 to 18 hours.
Money & Banking
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs are widely available in cities. Cards accepted in tourist establishments; cash is essential for street food, local markets, and transport. Budget 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND (approximately 20 to 40 USD) per day for mid-range travel. Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's best-value destinations; accommodation, food, and transport are all inexpensive.
Practical Tips
Vietnam is exceptional value for South Africans. The country stretches 1,650 km from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with dramatically varied geography. Highlights include: Ha Long Bay (UNESCO); Hoi An's ancient town; Hue's imperial citadel; the Mekong Delta; the beaches of Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao; and the northern mountains around Sapa and Ha Giang. Vietnamese food (pho, banh mi, bun cha) is outstanding and inexpensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do South Africans need a visa to visit Vietnam?
South Africans need a Vietnam e-Visa, available online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The fee is $25 USD. Processing takes 3 business days. The e-Visa is valid for 90 days and allows single or multiple entries (select at application). Print the e-Visa approval letter to present at immigration alongside your passport.
Are there direct flights from South Africa to Vietnam?
There are no direct nonstop flights from South Africa to Vietnam. Common connections are via Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia), Bangkok (Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways), or Dubai (Emirates, with connections) to Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Journey time with one stop is approximately 16 to 18 hours.
What currency does Vietnam use?
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Prices involve large numbers (a street food meal costs 30,000 to 80,000 VND, approximately 1.20 to 3 USD). ATMs are widely available in cities. Cards accepted at hotels and tourist restaurants; cash preferred at street food stalls, local markets, and transport. Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's best-value destinations: budget 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND (20 to 40 USD) per day.
What is the best route to travel Vietnam from north to south?
The classic route is Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or reverse). Fly into Hanoi: explore the capital, take a junk boat cruise in Ha Long Bay (2 days), visit Hoi An Ancient Town and the Marble Mountains via Da Nang, stop at Hue's Imperial Citadel and royal tombs, and end in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, and day trips to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. Budget at least 2 to 3 weeks for the full route.
What is Ha Long Bay and why is it special?
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeastern Vietnam: 1,969 limestone karst islands and islets emerging from the emerald sea, dotted with caves, floating fishing villages, and kayaking routes. A 2-night junk boat cruise from Hanoi (4-hour bus transfer) is the classic experience, ranging from budget to luxury. Lan Ha Bay (adjacent, fewer crowds) and Bai Tu Long Bay (further, very remote) offer alternatives. Book cruises at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance through reputable operators.
What is Hoi An and why do South Africans love it?
Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO) is a preserved 15th-century trading port in central Vietnam, famous for its lantern-lit streets, tailor shops (get custom clothes made in 24 hours at excellent prices), cooking classes, My Son Hindu sanctuary ruins nearby, and the An Bang and Cua Dai beaches just a short cycle away. The town is remarkably pretty and very walkable. The food scene (white rose dumplings, cao lau noodles, Banh Mi Phuong) is exceptional. South Africans consistently rank Hoi An among Vietnam's best experiences.
Is Vietnam safe for South African travelers?
Vietnam is generally very safe for tourists. The main risks are traffic (chaotic in cities; cross roads slowly with your hand raised and make eye contact with drivers), motorbike bag snatching (keep bags on the side away from the road), and food hygiene (street food is generally safe if freshly cooked and hot; avoid raw vegetables washed in tap water). Petty scams operate around major tourist sites in Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City.
What is Vietnamese coffee culture and where should South Africans try it?
Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer and has a distinctive coffee culture. Ca phe sua da (iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk) is the classic; ca phe trung (egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty, like a coffee custard) is unique. Cafe culture thrives on street stools outside tiny shopfront cafes. Hanoi's Dinh Liet and Ta Hien streets and Ho Chi Minh City's Pham Ngu Lao backpacker district are great areas to explore the cafe scene.