A clear guide to the Vietnam visa for Canadian citizens: who needs one, documents, fees, processing time, and how to apply online.
Whether you're flying out of Toronto for a winter escape or heading home to family from Vancouver, the Vietnam visa for Canadian citizens is far easier to sort than most people expect — for the majority of trips it's a quick online application, no embassy visit required.
At MyVietVisa we help a steady stream of Canadians and Vietnamese-Canadian families every year, so we know the questions that come up most. This guide covers who needs a visa, what it costs in plain terms, how long it takes, and exactly how to apply online.
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
For most visits, yes. Travelling on a Canadian passport, you'll generally need either an e-visa or a visa arranged ahead of time. Vietnam sometimes runs short visa-exemption windows and occasionally updates the rules, so confirm current requirements before you book — particularly if you're planning a very short trip.
If you're of Vietnamese origin, there's a happier path worth knowing: many Viet Kieu qualify for a multi-year visa exemption certificate instead of a standard visa. Our Viet Kieu exemption guide walks through who's eligible and how it works.
Your Vietnam visa options
The Vietnam visa for Canadian citizens usually comes down to three routes:
- E-visa (most popular): Done entirely online and emailed to you as a PDF. Accepted at major airports and many land and sea borders — ideal for tourism and short business trips.
- Visa on arrival (VOA): Needs a pre-arranged approval letter, then you pick up the visa at a Vietnamese airport. Air arrivals only.
- Embassy/consulate visa: Arranged through a Vietnamese mission in Canada, such as the Embassy in Ottawa or the Consulate General in Vancouver. Best for longer stays, work, or special categories.
Unsure which suits your trip? Our visa checker sorts it out in about a minute.
Requirements and documents
The list is short. For a typical application you'll need:
- A Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with a couple of blank pages.
- A clear color scan of your passport bio page — flat, glare-free, all corners visible.
- A recent passport-style photo on a plain background (no glasses or hats).
- Your travel dates and intended port of entry, such as Noi Bai in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City.
- A Vietnam address — a hotel booking or a relative's home address works fine.
The slip-up we catch most
Canadians sometimes enter a shortened or anglicized version of their name. Your visa details must match your passport exactly, including every middle name and accent-free spelling. We hand-check this on every file before it goes in.
Cost and processing time
Your total cost is the government fee — which varies by single or multiple entry — plus any service fee if you use an agent. Government fees change periodically, so treat any number you see online as an estimate and confirm the current rate before paying. You can review our straightforward pricing to see what it costs to have us manage the whole thing.
A standard e-visa typically takes a few business days to process, but these are estimates rather than promises — busy travel seasons or a small document issue can add time. Flying soon? An expedited Vietnamese visa can shorten the wait significantly.
How to apply online, step by step
- Pick your visa type and entry option (single vs. multiple entry).
- Enter your details exactly as printed on your passport.
- Upload your bio-page scan and photo.
- Add your arrival date and port of entry.
- Pay and submit.
- Receive your approval, print a copy, and bring it along.
Apply through us and a real person reviews every field before submission, so a stray typo won't put your trip at risk. For the finer points, our FAQ covers what Canadian travellers ask most.
A few tips for Canadians heading to Vietnam
Print your e-visa before you fly — check-in agents in Canada sometimes want to see it before issuing a boarding pass. Make sure the port of entry on your visa matches the city you're actually landing in. And remember that every traveller needs their own visa, including children and infants. If you're connecting through a hub like Seoul, Tokyo, or Taipei, you still enter Vietnam on the same visa once you land.
Ready to get your Vietnam visa handled without the guesswork? Start your application and we'll take it from here, or book a free consultation if you'd like to chat first.
📌Start here: The complete Vietnam e-visa guideFrequently asked questions
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
For most visits, yes. Travelling on a Canadian passport, you'll generally need either an e-visa or a visa arranged ahead of time. Vietnam sometimes runs short visa-exemption windows and occasionally updates the rules, so confirm current requirements before you book — particularly if you're planning a very short trip.
Planning a trip home to Vietnam?
We make the visa the easy part, hand-checked, all-inclusive pricing, real human help.
General information to help you plan, not legal advice; visa and travel rules change. Contact us for your specific situation.