Vietnam Visa for South African Citizens: E-Visa Cost in Rand and Steps
Vietnam visa for south african citizens: ordinary passports need a visa, usually the 90-day e-visa from $47 (approx. ZAR 776). Rand prices, Pretoria cut-offs.
South African citizens with an ordinary passport need a visa for Vietnam, so the Vietnam visa for South African citizens is the e-visa, valid for up to 90 days and from $47 (approx. ZAR 776) all-in through us for single entry. South Africa appears on a Vietnamese exemption list, but only for diplomatic and official passports. This page covers the e-visa, prices in south african rand, urgent cut-offs in Pretoria time, the steps, documents, visa on arrival and the embassy. You can apply for your e-visa with us in about ten minutes.
Pretoria keeps the same time all year, five hours behind Vietnam, so the Vietnamese working day ends around lunchtime for you. Check the cut-off table below first.
Vietnam visa for South African citizens at a glance:
| Visa-free? | No, not for ordinary passports |
| Usual visa | E-visa, up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| Price through us | From $47 (approx. ZAR 776) single, $82 (approx. ZAR 1,353) multiple |
| Same-day option | Order before 9:15 in Pretoria, delivered by 13:00 |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months from your entry date, with two blank pages |
Do South African citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. South African citizens with an ordinary passport need a visa for any stay in Vietnam, and the e-visa is the usual route.
South Africa's row on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs exemption list (published June 30, 2025, checked October 2026) is marked under Diplomatic and under Official/Service/Special, with a 90-day stay. The Ordinary column is empty, and South Africa is absent from the later 45-day lists.
Guides that cap the e-visa at 30 days describe an older limit; the stay is up to 90 days under Law 23/2023/QH15. For the general rules, see Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Visa for Vietnam from South Africa: the e-visa
A visa for Vietnam from South Africa is nearly always the e-visa. It lets South African citizens stay up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry, under Law 23/2023/QH15. It covers holidays, family visits and short business trips.
The Vietnam e-visa for South African passport holders works at any of 79 border gates: 15 international airports, 26 land border gates and 38 seaports (as of October 2026). You apply online, so there is no trip to a consulate, and you carry the approved PDF with your passport.
Vietnam visa South Africa: e-visa cost in south african rand
A Vietnam e-visa costs $47 (approx. ZAR 776) through us for single entry at Standard speed, government fee included. The table gives every speed per person, slowest first, with an approximate figure in south african rand.
Prices last updated: 2026-10-07. South African rand at 1 USD = 16.50 ZAR (xe.com, October 10, 2026). Your card is charged in USD and your bank converts it.
| Speed | Single entry | Multiple entry |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, 5 to 7 working days | $47 (approx. ZAR 776) | $82 (approx. ZAR 1,353) |
| 3 working days | $69 (approx. ZAR 1,139) | $98 (approx. ZAR 1,617) |
| 2 working days | $92 (approx. ZAR 1,518) | $116 (approx. ZAR 1,914) |
| 1 working day | $99 (approx. ZAR 1,634) | $123 (approx. ZAR 2,030) |
| Same day | $118 (approx. ZAR 1,947) | $150 (approx. ZAR 2,476) |
| Super Urgent | $169 (approx. ZAR 2,789) | $212 (approx. ZAR 3,499) |
| Emergency | $260 (approx. ZAR 4,291) | $285 (approx. ZAR 4,704) |
| Weekend and public holidays | $250 (approx. ZAR 4,126) | $280 (approx. ZAR 4,621) |
A 90-day e-visa costs no more than a 30-day one. We refund 100% if the e-visa is refused, unless the application had false information, or if it arrives after the delivery time shown at checkout. On evisa.gov.vn the government fee alone is US$25 (approx. ZAR 413), not refunded on refusal. Our full price table breaks down each price.
Vietnam visa for South African citizens: urgent cut-offs in Pretoria time
Standard takes 5 to 7 working days. The urgent speeds use Vietnamese working days, which start at 8:00 in Vietnam, or 3:00 in Pretoria.
| Order cut-off | Pretoria time |
|---|---|
| Same day (Vietnam 14:15) | 9:15 |
| Super Urgent (Vietnam 15:30) | 10:30 |
| Emergency (Vietnam 17:30) | 12:30 |
| 1 working day (Vietnam 18:00) | 13:00 |
Example: you order on Tuesday at 4:00 in Pretoria, which is 9:00 on Tuesday in Vietnam. Emergency arrives by 5:30, Super Urgent by 6:30 and Same day by 13:00, all in Pretoria time. Ordered on Tuesday at 11:00 instead (16:00 in Vietnam), Emergency still arrives by 12:30, but Super Urgent and Same day have passed their cut-offs: Super Urgent arrives on Wednesday at 6:00 and Same day on Wednesday at 9:00.
The weekend window starts at Friday 13:00 in Pretoria and ends on Sunday at 11:00. In that window, order the Weekend and public holidays speed before 10:20 and it arrives by 13:30 the same day. Our urgent e-visa page has every speed in Vietnam time.
How to apply from South Africa
You apply from South Africa online, in three steps with us:
- Enter your details: Passport, travel dates, the airport or border gate you will use and your speed.
- Pay and add files: Pay by card, then upload your passport data page and a recent photo, straight away or later.
- Receive the e-visa: We check everything, submit it and email you the approved PDF.
You can also apply yourself on evisa.gov.vn with the same details. Our guide on how to apply walks through both.
Vietnam visa requirements for South African citizens
The Vietnam visa requirements for South African citizens match those for every e-visa applicant:
- South African passport: Valid for at least 6 months from your entry date, with two blank pages.
- Passport data page: Full page in the frame, no glare on the code lines at the bottom.
- Portrait: Recent, facing forward, white background, no glasses.
- Trip details: Arrival and departure dates, entry and exit gates, first accommodation address.
- Card: Debit or credit card that works for overseas online payments.
Photo examples and the full checklist are on our e-visa requirements page.
Visa on arrival for South African citizens
South African citizens can use visa on arrival only when flying into Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Cam Ranh. You need an approval letter before you board and pay a $25 or $50 stamping fee at the airport.
It does not work for cruise ports or land borders. For most trips the e-visa is simpler; you can compare both when you choose a service.
Vietnam embassy in South Africa
Vietnam has an embassy in South Africa, but you do not need it for an e-visa, which is issued online. The Embassy of Vietnam in Pretoria is at 87 Brooks Street, Brooklyn. Our page on the Vietnam embassy in South Africa has the details.
Tips for South African travelers
Two points help South African travelers: reading the exemption list correctly, and ignoring a 30-day limit.
Diplomatic and official passports are different
The 90-day stay on South Africa's row of the exemption list belongs to diplomatic and official or service passports only. A holder of an ordinary South African passport needs the e-visa, even if a colleague with an official passport enters without one.
The e-visa is not limited to 30 days
Some guides describe a single-entry e-visa of up to 30 days. The current e-visa allows up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, at no extra cost compared with 30 days.
eVisaVietnam.com is a private visa service operated by TK VIET NAM., JSC, not the Vietnamese government. You can apply yourself at evisa.gov.vn for US$25. If you want your files checked and a delivery time backed by a full refund, apply for your e-visa with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, with an ordinary South African passport. Most apply online for the e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, and show the PDF with their passport at the border.
How long is the e-visa valid for South African citizens?
The e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry. You choose the entry type and travel dates on the form, and the e-visa does not cost more for 90 days than for 30.
How much is the Vietnam government fee in south african rand?
On evisa.gov.vn the government fee is US$25 (approx. ZAR 413) for single entry and US$50 (approx. ZAR 825) for multiple entry, charged in US dollars. It is not refunded if the e-visa is refused.
Can I get a Vietnam visa today in Pretoria?
Yes, on a Vietnamese working day. Order Same day before 9:15 Pretoria time for delivery by 13:00, or Emergency before 12:30 for delivery 1.5 working hours later. After those cut-offs, order 1 working day.
Can I use the e-visa for a business trip from South Africa?
Yes, for short business visits such as meetings or conferences, within the 90-day limit. Employment in Vietnam is outside what the e-visa covers.
