Vietnam Visa for Cruise Ship Passengers 2025
If you're planning a Vietnam shore excursion this cruise season, understanding visa requirements is essential. Whether you’re docking in Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City, this guide will help you know exactly which visa you need, how to apply, and how Up Travel can make your Vietnam visit seamless.
Do You Need a Visa for Vietnam if Arriving on a Cruise?
The answer is yes or no. It depends on your nationality and where you enter Vietnam during your cruise.
In most cases, cruise ship passengers need a valid Vietnam visa to disembark and explore the country. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Visa-exempt countries
- If you hold a passport from a country that has a Vietnam visa exemption agreement, you don’t need a visa as long as your stay is within the allowed exemption period.
📌 Check the full Vietnam Visa Exemption List to confirm your eligibility.
- Phu Quoc Special Exemption
- If your cruise enters Phu Quoc Port directly from a foreign country and you leave Phu Quoc for another international destination (not another Vietnamese port), you don’t need a visa.
For everyone else, you’ll need to apply for a Vietnam visa to join any shore excursions, visit tourist attractions, or even step outside the port.
📌 Travel Tip: Check our Vietnam Visa Requirements Guide for cruise passengers to make sure you’re fully prepared before your trip.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa for Cruise Ship Passengers?
Planning to explore Vietnam during your cruise? At Up Travel Vietnam, we make the visa process simple, fast, and stress-free, so you can focus on enjoying your journey.
If your cruise line does not arrange a visa on your behalf, the Vietnam eVisa is the most convenient option.
You can apply directly on the official Vietnam eVisa website: https://evisa.gov.vn. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete your eVisa application correctly.
Apply for a Vietnam eVisa Online
The official Vietnam eVisa website: https://evisa.gov.vn
Step 1: Access the Website & Agree to Terms
- Go to evisa.gov.vn
- Click “Apply Now” on the homepage.
- Carefully read the Declaration Instructions.
- Tick ✅ both checkboxes to confirm you’ve understood the terms.
- Click “Next” to continue.
You’ll see a brief overview of the 3 main steps:
- Fill out the application form
- Complete the payment
- Receive your eVisa online
Fill Out the eVisa Application Form
- Step 1: Upload a portrait and biometric passport photo. After uploading the photos, the system will automatically display personal information from the passport. Users can check and update any incorrect information.
Note: The visa applicant's photo must be a recent 4x6 cm image in JPG or JPEG format, with a file size of less than 2MB. The photo should be a front-facing image with no hat, no glasses, in formal attire, and with a white background.
If the passport photo is invalid, the system will not allow users to submit the application.
- Step 2: The system automatically verifies the portrait and passport images. If valid, the system will automatically fill in the passport information fields.
- Users should review the automatically filled-in fields, then proceed to complete all required fields (marked with *), as well as any optional fields (if any).
- Step 3: Confirm the declaration information and proceed.
Verify Your Application Details
- Step 1: Check entered information, including mandatory fields and other optional fields (if any).
- Step 2: Enter the verification code and proceed.
Make the Payment Online
- Step 1: Check payment information.
- Step 2: Agree and Proceed to Payment.
- Step 3: Select payment method
- Step 4: Enter credit/debit card details
- Step 5: Confirm the payment terms and conditions
- Step 6: Verify OTP
- Step 7: Payment has been successfully processed
Check Your Application Status
- Step 1: Enter search information, including Electronic profile ID, date of birth, and email address.
- Step 2: Check profile information.
Need Help? Up Travel Vietnam Has You Covered
If you find the process confusing or want to avoid delays and rejections, Up Travel Vietnam can:
- Review your documents and photos
- Handle the entire application on your behalf
- Guarantee on-time delivery of your eVisa
- Provide express service for urgent cases
📌 Contact Up Travel Vietnam today to get your Vietnam eVisa quickly and stress-free!
Vietnam Cruise Ports that accept eVisa
Here is the list of 12 Vietnam seaports that accept the Vietnam evisa for cruise passengers:
- Hon Gai Seaport (Quang Ninh)
- Cam Pha Seaport (Quang Ninh)
- Hai Phong Seaport (Hai Phong)
- Vung Ang Seaport (Ha Tinh)
- Chan May Seaport (Thua Thien Hue)
- Da Nang Seaport (Da Nang)
- Nha Trang Seaport (Khanh Hoa)
- Quy Nhon Seaport (Binh Dinh)
- Dung Quat Seaport (Quang Ngai)
- Vung Tau Seaport (Ba Ria-Vung Tau)
- Ho Chi Minh City Seaport (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Duong Dong Seaport (Kien Giang)
How Long Is a Vietnam eVisa for Cruise Ship Passengers Valid?
A Vietnam eVisa for cruise passengers is valid for up to 90 days and can be issued as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on your cruise itinerary.
Understanding Visa Validity
Your visa’s validity period is based on the travel dates you provide in your application. If you’re not sure about your exact arrival or departure dates, it’s best to choose a wider date range — up to 90 days — to ensure your visa remains valid throughout your journey.
Single-Entry vs. Multiple-Entry eVisa
- Single-Entry Visa → Best if your cruise ship stops at multiple Vietnamese destinations without leaving the country and returning later.
- Multiple-Entry Visa → Required if your cruise leaves Vietnam, visits another country, and then returns for another stop in Vietnam.
At Up Travel Vietnam, we review your cruise itinerary and advise you on the most suitable visa type so you can avoid unnecessary delays or reapplications.
Ready to Explore Vietnam Hassle-Free?
Planning a shore excursion in Vietnam doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re visiting Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Ho Chi Minh City, Up Travel Vietnam takes care of your visa application and shore excursion planning so you can focus on enjoying your journey.
Book your Vietnam shore excursion and visa service today to secure a seamless experience from ship to shore.
📩 Contact Up Travel Vietnam and let us handle the rest!
