Official Vietnam eVisa Site or Assisted Service: Which Should You Use?
Written by Andrew Duong, visa consultant at Joey Visa Vietnam · Last updated:
You can apply for a Vietnam eVisa yourself on the official government portal (evisa.gov.vn) for a $25 USD government fee (single entry). An assisted service such as Vietnam Visa Guides charges extra, from $45 USD all-in for a standard single-entry eVisa, in exchange for a personal review of your application before submission, urgent processing options, and support if something goes wrong. If your application is simple and your trip is weeks away, applying yourself is a reasonable choice. If you are short on time, unsure about the form, or have had a problem before, an assisted service can help. Final approval is always decided by Vietnam Immigration, never by us.
The official Vietnam eVisa site: what you get
The official portal is run by Vietnam's Immigration Department. The government fee for a single-entry eVisa is $25 USD and is non-refundable. You complete the online form, upload your passport data page and a portrait photo, pay the fee and wait for the result by email. You can apply directly at evisa.gov.vn .
What an assisted service adds
Vietnam Visa Guides is a private visa assistance service run by Andrew Duong (Joey Visa Vietnam, operated by The Terrible Tour Guide Travel Co., Ltd., Business Licence No. 0108048938, Hanoi). We are not a government website.
For every application we:
- Review your details and documents by hand before submission
- Check for common errors
- Submit to Vietnam Immigration
- Follow up with you
We also offer urgent and emergency options and are reachable on WhatsApp.
Side-by-side comparison
| Apply yourself Official portal | Vietnam Visa Guides Assisted service | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost, single entry | $25 USD government fee | From $45 USD, government fee included |
| Cost, multiple entry | See official portal | From $70 USD, government fee included |
| Who checks your form | You | A real person reviews every application before submission |
| Standard processing | Set by Vietnam Immigration | Typically 4–7 working days. Set by Vietnam Immigration |
| Urgent options | Check the official portal | Urgent: 3-day $64, 2-day $74, 1-day $94, 4-hour $104. Emergency (same-day): 1-hour $224, weekend $224. These are delivery targets, not guarantees. |
| Support | Self-service | WhatsApp, Zalo, email, 24/7 support (Vietnam time, GMT+7) |
| If a mistake is found | You correct and resubmit yourself | We contact you and fix it before submission. If the error is ours, we correct it free of charge. |
| Refunds | Government fee is non-refundable | If declined by authorities: we refund all fees except the government fee. Cancellation before submission: full refund. See full terms. |
Prices include the Vietnamese government fee. See full pricing.
Who should apply on the official site
- Your trip is several weeks away.
- You are comfortable completing online forms in English.
- Your passport and travel details are straightforward.
- You want to pay only the government fee.
Who may prefer an assisted service
- You are travelling soon and need an urgent option. See /urgent-visa.
- You want someone to check your form before it goes to Immigration.
- You were refused or delayed before and want help avoiding common errors.
- You need to apply for several people and want one point of contact.
- You prefer support on WhatsApp.
What no service can promise
How to spot a trustworthy visa service
- It clearly states that it is a private service and not the government.
- It shows the company's registered name, licence number and address.
- It shows prices up front, including the government fee.
- It does not promise guaranteed approval.
- It gives you a real way to contact a person.
Vietnam Visa Guides is operated by The Terrible Tour Guide Travel Co., Ltd. (Business Licence No. 0108048938), R601, No. 2, 84 Tran Quang Dieu Alley, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam. See our Terms & Conditions.
Before you decide
- →Vietnam eVisa guide
- →Visa requirements by country
- →Latest entry rules including the pre-arrival declaration
- →Urgent visa options
Not sure which option fits? Message Andrew on WhatsApp for an honest assessment. If applying yourself is the better choice for you, we will say so.