Vietnam Visa for Swiss Citizens: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

From the calm of Zurich or Geneva to the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is closer than you think, and arranging a Vietnam visa for Swiss citizens is now an online formality rather than an embassy chore.

We help travelers from every corner of the world get into Vietnam smoothly, and Swiss passport holders usually want to know the same things: whether a visa is needed, how long they can stay, what it costs, and how to avoid the small mistakes that trip people up. Here's the whole picture in clear, friendly terms.

Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Switzerland has, in recent years, been among the European countries whose citizens enjoy a short visa exemption for tourist visits to Vietnam. The specifics, the number of exempt days and exactly who qualifies, are reviewed by Vietnamese authorities from time to time, so always confirm current rules before you commit to dates.

Where an exemption applies, it typically covers only a brief, single-entry stay. If you want to linger longer, take a side trip to Laos or Cambodia and come back, or simply prefer an approved visa in your inbox, the e-visa is the cleaner route. For most Swiss visitors, it has become the standard choice precisely because it removes uncertainty at the border.

Vietnam visa options for Swiss travelers

Three realistic routes exist, and the best one depends on your plans:

• E-visa (online) — The most popular by far. You apply electronically before travel, currently for stays of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
• Visa on arrival (VOA) — Built on a pre-approval letter, mainly for those flying into Vietnam's major airports, with a stamping fee paid in cash on arrival.
• Embassy visa — The traditional sticker visa from the Vietnamese Embassy in Bern. Slower and more document-heavy, but sometimes required for work or long-stay purposes.

For tourism and visiting family, the e-visa is almost always easiest. If you're weighing the options, our team is glad to talk it through in a quick consultation.

Documents and requirements

The e-visa keeps things simple. Swiss applicants generally need:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival, with two or more blank pages.
• A clear scan of the passport bio-data page (your photo page).
• A recent passport-style photo, plain background, no glasses, neutral expression.
• Your intended arrival and departure dates and your port of entry, such as Noi Bai in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City.
• An address in Vietnam, even just your first hotel.

The number-one cause of a bounced application is a low-quality photo. A sharp, well-lit headshot against a plain wall takes thirty seconds and prevents a frustrating delay.

What it costs and how long it takes

Vietnam charges a fixed government fee for the e-visa, and that figure can be revised, so confirm current rules and pricing before paying. A dependable service adds a handling fee to review your documents, submit the application correctly, and fix any snags, which matters when you're dealing with an official portal that doesn't always behave.

For timing, standard processing is commonly estimated at around three business days, but please treat that as an estimate only, never a guarantee. Peak periods and incomplete forms can lengthen it. We advise Swiss travelers to apply a week or two before departure. If you're short on time, our expedited service is made for exactly that.

How to apply, step by step

Here's the journey from need to approval:

• Step 1: Pick your visa type, single or multiple entry, and your stay length.
• Step 2: Collect your passport scan, photo, and travel dates.
• Step 3: Complete the application carefully, ensuring your name and passport number match your passport exactly.
• Step 4: Pay the fee and submit.
• Step 5: Get your approved e-visa by email, print a copy, and save one on your phone.

That printed copy is worth the paper. We've watched travelers land relying on a phone alone, only to meet airport Wi-Fi that won't load. A backup printout keeps your arrival calm.

Tips for a smooth arrival in Vietnam

To ease your first hours: complete the Digital Arrival Card if your entry point requires it, keep small dollar or dong notes for any on-the-spot fees, and have your hotel address ready. At immigration, present your passport with your printed e-visa together and you'll usually be through in minutes.

If your trip loops through neighboring countries, remember each re-entry uses an entry on your visa, so a multiple-entry e-visa is well worth the small extra for a regional adventure.

Ready to get your Vietnam visa sorted with no fuss? Start your application with us and we'll handle the technical bits while you plan the trip of a lifetime.

📌Start here: The complete Vietnam e-visa guide

Frequently asked questions

Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Switzerland has, in recent years, been among the European countries whose citizens enjoy a short visa exemption for tourist visits to Vietnam. The specifics, the number of exempt days and exactly who qualifies, are reviewed by Vietnamese authorities from time to time, so always confirm current rules before you...

General information to help you plan, not legal advice; visa and travel rules change. Contact us for your specific situation.