Vietnam E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival for Families with Children (2025 Comparison)

Traveling to Vietnam with kids is an exciting experience, but handling visas for every family member can be stressful. In 2025, parents planning a trip to Vietnam can choose between two popular visa options: the Vietnam E-Visa (electronic visa) and the Visa on Arrival (VOA). Which one should you pick for your family? Let’s break it down step by step.

1. What is a Vietnam E-Visa?

The Vietnam e-visa is an official, fully online visa issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. Applicants receive an approval letter and the visa itself electronically — no physical visit to the embassy and no standing in long lines at the airport.

Eligibility: Citizens of over 80 countries
Duration: Single-entry or multiple-entry, up to 90 days
Processing time: Standard (3–5 days) or urgent options as fast as 1 hour
Cost through applyevisavietnam.com:
- 1 hour: $195
- 2 hours: $165
- 5 hours: $135
- 1 day: $100
- 2 days: $85
- 3 days: $80

2. What is a Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

A Visa on Arrival is obtained at the airport upon landing in Vietnam, after presenting an approval letter (pre-arranged online) to immigration officers. Families must queue for visa stamping before collecting luggage, which can be difficult when traveling with small children.

Approval letter: Must be arranged in advance
Stamping fee: Paid in cash at the airport (USD required)
Waiting time: Typically 30–60 minutes depending on passenger volume
Risk: If documents are incomplete or photos are incorrect, processing delays can occur

3. Pros and Cons of E-Visa vs. VOA for Families

Vietnam E-Visa Advantages

Entire process handled online before departure
No airport waiting lines for visa stamping
Digital documents are easy to manage for multiple passports
Urgent processing available in 1 hour — perfect for last-minute trips

Vietnam E-Visa Disadvantages

Must apply separately for each family member
Requires accurate photo and passport scans

Visa on Arrival Advantages

Good for travelers who cannot complete the e-visa process in advance
Group approval letters can sometimes simplify entry for large families

Visa on Arrival Disadvantages

Children may have to wait in long airport queues
Need to prepare cash in USD for stamping fee
Higher chance of errors causing delays after arrival

4. Which Option is Best for Families with Children?

For most parents, the Vietnam e-visa is far more convenient.

No airport hassle: Kids can go straight through immigration.
Predictable processing: No surprises or delays on arrival day.
Cost-efficient for groups: When using applyevisavietnam.com, urgent e-visa fees can be bundled for multiple applicants at reduced rates.

VOA may only be preferable if you cannot prepare documents ahead of time or if your country is not yet eligible for an e-visa.

5. Cost-Saving Tips for Families Applying Together

Submit all family applications at the same time to simplify tracking.
Use group service packages: Some agencies (like applyevisavietnam.com) offer discounts when processing multiple visas in one order.
Double-check passport photos and scans: Avoid rejections that cost extra time and money.
Select the right urgency level:
- Planned trip: Choose 3-day ($80) or 2-day ($85) processing.
- Last-minute emergency: Select 1-hour ($195) or 2-hour ($165) urgent service.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an E-Visa for Your Family

Prepare passports and photos for all family members.
Visit applyevisavietnam.com and choose “Family/Group Application.”
Fill in each applicant’s information carefully.
Select processing time (1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days).
Pay online securely.
Receive e-visas by email — print copies or store on your devices.

7. Final Recommendation

For families traveling to Vietnam in 2025, the Vietnam E-Visa is almost always the better choice. It eliminates airport stress, speeds up entry, and allows you to control the entire process from home. Only choose VOA if your situation makes e-visa impossible.

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