Flying to Vietnam on a Weekend
or Public Holiday?
Here's exactly how the Weekend/Holiday visa tier works, honestly -- including what happens when the government portal itself is closed.
Updated: October 8, 2026 | By Visa Specialist
Why Weekends and Holidays Complicate Vietnam Visa Timing
- The government portal follows standard business hours. Vietnam's immigration authorities process and approve eVisa applications on weekdays, with no formal approvals issued on weekends or public holidays -- this isn't specific to any one agency, it's how the system itself operates.
- Holiday periods bring heavier travel volume, especially around Tet (Lunar New Year), which can mean longer queues at airports even once you've landed.
- Airlines require a complete, valid document to board, so travelers who assume they can "sort it out on arrival" risk being denied boarding entirely.
The reliable approach is to plan around these realities rather than around a promise that the government will approve applications at any hour -- which no agency can actually guarantee.
Vietnam eVisa Pricing (All Tiers)
All fees are in USD for a single-entry eVisa and include the $25 government fee. Multiple-entry adds $25.
A corrected, approved application costs $85. We offer a 100% refund guarantee if we miss the committed timeframe for your selected tier.
How the Weekend/Holiday Tier Actually Works
We'd rather explain this accurately than make it sound simpler than it is:
Passport details and flight information, any time of day.
Tell us your exact flight date and time. We'll tell you honestly whether your timing falls inside government business hours or during the weekend/holiday closure, and what that means for you.
We may be able to provide an interim confirmation letter showing your application is submitted and being processed, which some airlines accept for boarding. Whether your specific airline accepts it isn't something we can guarantee in advance.
This is the document Vietnamese immigration checks on arrival. We'll confirm with you as soon as it's finalized.
What's Open at the Airport on Holidays
It helps to separate two different things that are easy to mix up:
- Physical immigration counters at Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), and Da Nang International Airport operate around the clock, including weekends and holidays -- officers are there to check your documents whenever flights land.
- The online eVisa portal that issues new approvals is a separate system, and it follows standard Vietnamese government business hours. Airport staff being on duty doesn't mean the portal is processing new applications at that hour.
Common Situations
- Flying out Friday night for a Monday meeting: apply as early as possible on Friday during business hours if you can -- this avoids weekend pricing entirely.
- Departing Saturday morning with no advance notice: this is exactly when the Weekend/Holiday tier applies. Message us first.
- Landing during Tet (Lunar New Year): government offices close for an extended period around Tet, so apply well in advance if your dates are known -- this is the scenario where planning ahead saves the most money and uncertainty.
- Realized too late that you need a visa before boarding: contact WhatsApp immediately with your exact flight time so we can tell you what's realistically possible.
Planning Ahead vs. Urgent/Weekend Pricing
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Normal (4-6 days) | $50 | Known travel dates, applied before the holiday rush |
| Weekday urgent tiers | $110-$215 | Last-minute travel that still falls on a business day |
| Weekend/Holiday tier | $230 | Travel dates that fall entirely within a weekend or public holiday closure |
If you know your travel dates even a few days ahead, applying through the normal tier before the holiday period starts is substantially cheaper than any urgent or weekend option.
Before You Apply
- ☑ Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
- ☑ Digital passport photo and passport bio-page scan ready
- ☑ Confirmed flight details, including exact arrival date and time
- ☑ WhatsApp message sent to us with your travel dates before paying, if your trip falls on a weekend or holiday
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really get a Vietnam visa processed on a weekend or public holiday? +
Our support team is available 24/7, but the Vietnamese government eVisa portal itself is closed on weekends and public holidays, the same as any government office. The Weekend/Holiday tier exists specifically for this situation -- contact us on WhatsApp before paying so we can explain exactly what to expect for your travel dates.
What happens if I'm flying out on a Saturday and my eVisa isn't approved yet? +
Message us on WhatsApp with your flight details before you pay. Depending on your timing, we may be able to provide an interim confirmation letter that some airlines accept for boarding, with your official eVisa completed as soon as government offices reopen. This depends on your airline and specific flight, so we'll give you a straight answer rather than a blanket promise.
How much does the Weekend/Holiday visa tier cost? +
$230 USD, which includes the Vietnamese government fee. It costs more than weekday tiers because it requires coordination outside normal government operating hours.
Is it cheaper to just apply before the holiday instead? +
Yes. If you know your travel dates in advance, applying through the standard 4-6 day tier ($50 USD) before the holiday period begins is significantly cheaper than any urgent or weekend tier.
Do immigration counters at the airport stay open on holidays? +
Yes, physical immigration counters at Vietnam's international airports operate around the clock, including weekends and holidays. That's separate from the online eVisa portal, which follows standard government business hours for issuing new approvals.
Is there a refund if my visa isn't ready in the committed timeframe? +
Yes. We offer a 100% refund guarantee if we miss the committed timeframe for the tier you selected.
Traveling on a weekend or holiday?
Message us on WhatsApp before you pay -- we'll tell you exactly what to expect for your flight.
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