By The Escape desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
As of October 2026, Singapore passport holders do not need a visa for Vietnam and can stay up to 30 days per entry, says Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though entry is always at the discretion of Vietnam’s immigration officers. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a Vietnam e-visa before you go. E-visas are issued through the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, with validity of up to 90 days, at US$25 for a single entry or US$50 for multiple entries. Overstaying brings fines, and MFA warns that a visa obtained after a visa-free entry does not simply add extra days on top.
For most Singaporean holidays in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, the answer is happily simple: just fly. Here is when the e-visa becomes worth it.
Quick facts
- Visa-free: up to 30 days per entry for Singapore passport holders.
- E-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
- Official e-visa fees: US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry.
- Apply only on evisa.gov.vn, the Vietnam Immigration Department’s portal.
- E-visa holders can use designated border gates, including all international airports.
- Every visitor must have their temporary residence registered with the local police; hotels usually do this.
Visa-free or e-visa: which do you need?
| Your trip | What you need (October 2026) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday or business trip of up to 30 days | Nothing; visa-free entry | Free |
| Single stay of 31 to 90 days | Single-entry e-visa | US$25 |
| Up to 90 days with side trips out and back, such as to Cambodia or Laos | Multiple-entry e-visa | US$50 |
| Working, studying or a stay beyond 90 days | The relevant visa through the Vietnamese Embassy | Varies |
How to apply for the e-visa
- Type evisa.gov.vn into your browser yourself. Many look-alike agency sites charge far more than the official fee.
- Choose single or multiple entry and enter your planned dates and port of entry.
- Upload a passport-style photo and the passport data page.
- Pay the official fee online and note your registration code.
- Check the status with your code; apply well ahead of your flight, since processing times are not guaranteed.
- Print or save the approved e-visa and check every detail matches your passport.
A worked example: the six-week trip
You plan six weeks in Vietnam, with a four-day hop to Siem Reap in the middle. Visa-free entry gives you up to 30 days per entry, so in theory you could split the trip into two visa-free stays, but you would be relying on the officer’s discretion on your second arrival. A multiple-entry e-visa at US$50 covers the whole six weeks plus the side trip, within its 90-day validity, and removes the guesswork. For two people, that is US$100 for certainty.
Before you fly
- Check your passport validity with the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore or your airline before booking.
- Count your days carefully and keep a buffer; overstay fines have increased.
- If staying with friends or in some homestays, make sure your stay is registered with the local police.
- Register on MFA’s eRegister and buy travel insurance.
- Pay in Vietnamese dong when using cards, never in SGD.
The WahLiao Verdict
For the usual long weekend or two-week holiday, go visa-free and enjoy the pho. Once your trip creeps past 30 days, or you are planning to cross into a neighbouring country and come back, spend the US$25 or US$50 on an official e-visa and travel with peace of mind. Only ever use evisa.gov.vn; paying an agency triple the price buys you nothing extra.
Questions people ask
Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay inside Vietnam?
Do not count on it. MFA notes that a visa obtained after a visa-free entry is not an automatic extension, and the approved period may even be shorter than 30 days. Plan the right visa before you go.
Is the e-visa fee refundable if I am rejected?
Check the terms on the official portal before you pay. Applying early leaves time to fix any problems.
Do I need to register with the police?
All visitors must have their temporary residence registered with the local police. Hotels normally do it; in private homes, your host should.
Can I enter overland with an e-visa?
Yes, at designated international border gates, which include all international airports and selected land and sea crossings. Check the list on the portal.
Sources: Singapore MFA, Vietnam travel and visa information; U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, summary of Vietnam’s e-visa validity and fees; Vietnam Immigration Department, official e-visa portal; Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore, entry information. The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Going to Thailand: The 30-Day Visa-Free Stay · Travel Insurance in Singapore · Back to The Escape
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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