Chinese citizens can apply for an urgent Vietnam visa when they need to travel to Vietnam at short notice. Ordinary Chinese passport holders are eligible for a Vietnam e-visa, while travelers with urgent plans can choose expedited e-visa processing or an emergency visa on arrival depending on how soon they need to fly.
Yes. Chinese citizens generally need a valid visa to enter Vietnam, as ordinary Chinese passports are not included in Vietnam's general visa exemption list. However, when using an E-type passport, Chinese nationals will not have the visa affixed directly to the passport as is the case with other countries; instead, they will be issued a separate visa document.
However, ordinary Chinese passport holders are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa before traveling. For travelers who need to enter Vietnam urgently, the e-visa route can be combined with expedited processing to shorten the waiting time. The official e-vimmigration portal states that applicants must be outside Vietnam, hold a valid passport, and meet Vietnam's entry requirements.
Chinese travelers should also make sure that the passport information and uploaded photo meet the application requirements before submitting an urgent application. Incorrect passport details or unsuitable documents can delay processing.
A Vietnam visa is needed for Chinese travelers (Source: collected)
Chinese travelers have two urgent routes - an expedited e-visa applied for online, or an emergency visa on arrival via a fast approval letter for flights leaving within hours.
An urgent e-visa is suitable when you need your Vietnam visa approved faster than the standard processing time.
You can use this route when:
Vietnam's standard e-visa process is handled online, and the official immigration portal currently states a standard processing time of 3 working days. Urgent processing is a separate service designed for travelers who cannot wait for the standard timeframe.
Visa on arrival can be considered for travelers facing extremely short notice, particularly when a flight is leaving within hours.
The process involves obtaining an approval letter before traveling and then completing the visa procedure at an eligible international airport in Vietnam.
Because a visa on arrival is airport-based, it is not the same option as an e-visa for travelers planning to enter Vietnam through a land border or seaport.
The fastest option depends on your departure time, entry point, and the availability of the required processing route.
If you still have enough time before your flight, an urgent e-visa can be a straightforward option because the application is completed online. If you are flying within only a few hours and need an emergency solution, visa on arrival may be considered when your arrival airport supports it.
For this reason, Chinese travelers should choose the route based on how soon they need to travel, rather than simply choosing the visa type with the shortest advertised processing time.
Related blog post: Vietnam E-visa vs Visa On Arrival: Which Is Better? (Latest 2026)
Processing ranges from standard e-visa processing to 1-2 hours on the super-urgent tier, with urgent service fees varying according to processing speed. Government visa fees are separate from urgent processing fees.
The standard Vietnam e-visa process currently takes 3 working days according to the official immigration portal. For travelers who cannot wait that long, urgent processing provides faster service tiers.
|
Processing time |
Urgent processing fee |
|
15-30 minutes - last-minute |
1980 RMB |
|
1 business hour |
1175 RMB |
|
2 business hours |
972 RMB |
|
4 business hours |
505 RMB |
|
1 working day |
440 RMB |
|
Weekend / holiday |
1250 RMB |
The available processing time should be selected according to your actual departure schedule. If your flight is only a few hours away, choose the fastest suitable tier rather than relying on standard processing.
The Vietnam government visa fee and the urgent processing fee are separate charges.
For a Vietnam e-visa, the government fee is:
The government e-visa fee is non-refundable if the application is refused or the applicant is otherwise not eligible for entry.
An urgent processing fee is added when you request faster service. The exact total therefore depends on both your entry type and the processing speed you select.
Single entry is generally enough if you plan to enter Vietnam once and stay for the trip before leaving the country.
Multiple entry is more suitable if you expect to leave Vietnam and return during the validity period, such as when combining Vietnam with travel to other countries in the region.
Choose your processing tier based on the time remaining before your flight. Travelers with several days can use a less urgent option, while same-day and last-minute travelers should select a faster tier.
|
Remaining hour |
Recommended route |
Reason |
|
3+ days |
Standard or urgent e-visa |
More time is available for processing |
|
24-72 hours |
Urgent e-visa |
Faster approval can reduce the risk of missing your flight |
|
Under 24 hours |
Super-urgent option or emergency route |
Standard processing may not fit your schedule |
|
Within a few hours |
Fastest available urgent option / emergency VOA |
Immediate assistance may be required |
More than 3 days before departure
If you have more than three days before your flight, you have more flexibility. A standard e-visa may be sufficient if its processing timeframe fits your itinerary, while an urgent tier can provide additional time security.
24-72 hours before departure
When your flight is within one to three days, urgent processing can help you avoid relying on the standard processing timeframe.
This option is particularly useful if you have already booked your flight and need confirmation of your visa before departure.
Under 24 hours or same-day departure
If you are traveling within 24 hours, standard processing may no longer be suitable. A super-urgent e-visa option or another emergency route may be more appropriate depending on your entry point and individual circumstances.
Flight leaving within a few hours
When your flight is imminent, contact the urgent visa team immediately and provide your flight details. The fastest available processing route should be assessed based on your departure time and intended Vietnam entry point.
Pay attention to your flight time and date (Source: collected)
Related blog post: Urgent Vietnam Visa Fees & Processing Times 2026
Single entry suits travelers making one trip to Vietnam, while multiple entry is useful if you plan to leave and return during the visa validity period.
Choose single entry if:
For a simple holiday or business trip that begins and ends in Vietnam, single entry is usually the more straightforward choice.
Multiple entry can be useful if:
If you already know that you will need to enter Vietnam more than once, selecting multiple entry from the beginning can avoid the need to arrange another visa later.
Chinese citizens can also contact Vietnamese diplomatic missions in China for visa-related services. However, travelers who need a visa urgently may find online processing more practical than relying on embassy or consular processing.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing is one of the main diplomatic missions available to Chinese travelers seeking consular assistance.
Vietnam also maintains consular missions serving different regions of China, including locations such as:
Travelers should check the relevant mission before visiting because procedures, opening hours, and document requirements can vary.
An embassy or consulate route can involve additional steps and processing time. For travelers who have already booked a flight for the same day or the following day, this can make the embassy route less suitable for last-minute travel.
Online e-visa processing allows eligible applicants to submit their application without first traveling to a Vietnamese diplomatic mission.
Apply for Vietnam visa on e-visa portal is faster for Chinese (Source: collected)
Vietnam e-visa holders can enter through approved airports, land borders, and seaports. This is particularly useful for Chinese travelers because Vietnam shares land borders with China, including the Huu Nghi and Mong Cai border gates.
You can view all the ports that allow entry with E-visa on the official website of Vietnam National Electronic Visa system. These include international airports, land border gates, and seaports. Most major entry ports support e-visa entry such as Noi Bai airport, Tan Son Nhat airport, Da Nang airport, Moc Bai land border gates.
Travelers should select the correct entry port in their e-visa application and make sure it matches their actual travel plans.
Visa on arrival is an airport-based option and should not be treated as an alternative for travelers planning to enter Vietnam through a land border.
If you plan to cross from China into Vietnam by land, an e-visa is generally the more relevant route because approved e-visa ports include China-Vietnam land border gates.
Chinese can go to Vietnam by plane, cruise or train (Source: collected)
Related blog post: Vietnam Evisa Ports of Entry and Checkpoints
Once you know how much time you have before your flight, the application process is straightforward.
Decide whether an urgent e-visa or emergency visa on arrival is more suitable for your itinerary.
Consider your departure time, intended entry point, and whether you need single or multiple entry.
Choose the processing tier according to the amount of time remaining before your flight.
The less time you have, the more important it is to select a suitable urgent tier and provide accurate travel information.
Provide your passport details, personal information, travel details, and required photo or supporting information from online application.
Check every detail carefully before submission. A mistake in your passport number, date of birth, name, or entry information can cause problems with your visa.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive your visa approval according to the selected processing route.
Check the approved information as soon as you receive it.
Before traveling, confirm:
Make sure the information matches your passport and travel plans before boarding your flight.
Check your visa before departure for a smooth trip (Source: collected)
Once you know how much time you have before your flight, pick the matching speed tier and submit your application.
Our team supports Vietnam emergency visa applications 24/7, including weekends and holidays, with a 99.68% success rate based on our service record. We have worked with 56k+ clients from more than 190+ countries including China. If your flight is approaching soon, submit your application with your correct passport and travel information so the appropriate urgent processing option can be assessed.
Contact us now to proceed your visa application faster:
Tel: +84.904.879.729
Tel: +1 (778) 788 2310
Email: [email protected]
Address: No10A, Sai Dong, Long Bien, Hanoi
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Chinese citizens generally need a Vietnam visa or e-visa for every trip to Vietnam, unless they qualify for a specific visa exemption.
Are Chinese passports eligible for the Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. Holders of ordinary Chinese passports are eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa online.
How fast can a Chinese citizen get an urgent Vietnam visa?
As fast as 1-2 hours with a super-urgent processing option, depending on eligibility and the type of visa required.
Can I enter Vietnam by land border with an e-visa?
Yes. A Vietnam e-visa can be used to enter through designated land border gates listed on the e-visa application. A visa on arrival (VOA) is not available for land-border entry.
Should I contact the Vietnamese embassy for an urgent visa?
No. For urgent travel, an online expedited visa service can be more suitable because embassy processing may take longer and require additional paperwork.
Can Chinese citizens get a 3-month multiple-entry Vietnam visa?
Yes. Chinese citizens holding eligible ordinary passports can apply for a 3-month multiple-entry Vietnam e-visa.
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