A clear guide to the Vietnam visa for Dutch citizens: who needs one, documents, fees, processing time, and how to apply online.
Vietnam is a rewarding long-haul trip from the Netherlands, and the entry rules are kinder than many expect: for short stays you may not need a visa at all, and when you do, the Vietnam visa for Dutch citizens is a simple online application from home in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, or anywhere else.
At MyVietVisa we help plenty of Dutch tourists and business travellers, so we know the questions that come up. This guide explains who needs a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply online.
Do Dutch citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Often, no — for short stays. Vietnam has offered a visa exemption for Dutch passport holders for trips up to a set number of days, which makes a couple of weeks of travel straightforward. But the exemption has a day limit and conditions that can change, so confirm the current rules before you book. For longer journeys, you'll need an e-visa or a visa arranged in advance.
If you have Vietnamese heritage in your family, a multi-year visa exemption certificate may be available instead. Our Viet Kieu exemption guide explains who's eligible.
Your Vietnam visa options
When you do need a visa, the Vietnam visa for Dutch citizens generally comes down to three routes:
- E-visa (most common for longer stays): Applied for entirely online and emailed as a PDF. Accepted at major airports and many land and sea borders.
- Visa on arrival (VOA): Requires a pre-arranged approval letter, then you collect the visa at a Vietnamese airport. Air arrivals only.
- Embassy/consulate visa: Arranged through the Embassy of Vietnam in The Hague. Best for longer stays, work, or special categories.
Not sure whether your trip needs one? Our visa checker tells you in about a minute.
Requirements and documents
If you're applying for a visa, the list is short. You'll typically need:
- A Dutch passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with a couple of blank pages.
- A clear colour scan of your passport bio page — flat, no glare, all corners visible.
- A recent passport-style photo on a plain background (no glasses, no 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 is fine.
Tussenvoegsel and surnames
Dutch names with a prefix like "van," "de," or "van der" should be entered exactly as they appear on your passport's photo page and machine-readable zone — don't drop or rearrange the prefix. Matching the passport precisely keeps your application moving. We hand-check this on every file.
Cost and processing time
If you apply for an e-visa, the total is the government fee — which depends on single or multiple entry — plus any service fee if you use an agent. Government fees are revised periodically, so treat any figure online as an estimate and confirm the current rate before paying. Our transparent pricing shows what we charge to handle everything for you.
A standard e-visa usually processes in a few business days, but these are estimates, not guarantees. Flying soon? An expedited Vietnamese visa can shorten the wait considerably.
How to apply online, step by step
- Confirm whether your trip fits the exemption window or needs a visa.
- If you need one, choose your visa type and entry option.
- Enter your details exactly as printed on your passport.
- Upload your bio-page scan and photo.
- Add your arrival date and port of entry, then pay and submit.
- Receive your approval, print a copy, and carry it with you.
Apply through us and a real person reviews every field before submission. For the finer points, our FAQ answers what Dutch travellers ask most.
A few tips for Dutch travellers heading to Vietnam
Flights from Schiphol usually connect through a Gulf or Asian hub before reaching Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but you enter Vietnam on the same visa once you land. If you carry an e-visa, print it before you fly and make sure its port of entry matches your arrival city. And remember everyone needs their own visa or exemption, children and infants included.
Ready to sort your Vietnam visa the easy way? Start your application and we'll take it from here, or book a free consultation if you'd like to check your options first.
📌Start here: The complete Vietnam e-visa guideFrequently asked questions
Do Dutch citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Often, no — for short stays. Vietnam has offered a visa exemption for Dutch passport holders for trips up to a set number of days, which makes a couple of weeks of travel straightforward. But the exemption has a day limit and conditions that can change, so confirm the current rules before you book. For longer...
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.