Is Vietnam e‑visa processing during Tet?

What’s happening with Vietnam’s visa system during Tet

Travelers applying for Vietnam’s electronic visa are reporting delays around the Lunar New Year (Tết) period. The holiday is a peak time for government offices across Vietnam to close or operate with reduced staff, and the e‑visa platform is showing many applications still marked as “processing.” That has left some visitors anxious because delayed approvals can affect boarding, arrival, or onward travel plans.

Practical implications

• Approvals can arrive late or not before a planned departure, which risks airlines denying boarding if they require a confirmed entry permit.
• On arrival, immigration officers typically allow only travelers with valid visas or approved e‑visas; no guaranteed ad‑hoc processing is available at crowded ports during the holiday.
• Domestic consular services and call‑center response times may be slower, making last‑minute fixes harder.

What travelers should do now

• Apply well in advance of travel dates, especially if your trip overlaps Tết. Authorities recommend allowing several weeks for processing during holiday periods.
• Keep documentation handy: copies of the e‑visa application receipt, payment confirmation, and any email correspondence. If approval is pending, bring printed proof of the application and a return or onward ticket.
• Contact your airline immediately if an approval has not posted; some carriers will advise or delay boarding but policies vary.
• If you have urgent travel and the online channel is stalled, contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for guidance on alternatives or expedited service options.

It’s still unclear how long the backlog will last for each applicant, and processing times can vary. The safest approach is to assume holiday delays are possible and to manage bookings and connections accordingly.