In 2025, I was fortunate enough to go to some of my very favourite places on earth. The bulk of the solo travelling that I do is in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, and whilst one of the locations I’d picked for my first trip of the year (Cambodia) didn’t pan out as I had hoped (I was on a plane back home after 8 days), that doesn’t mean that I gave up on it all.
My tips for a solo traveller to Vietnam, part one.
First, the logistics
Be aware that many countries, such as my own (Canada), are required by Vietnam to have a visa prior to arrival (although you can also get a Visa on Arrival [VOA] through a sponsorship letter through visa agencies, but these will only be for 30 days). *Presently there are about 45 countries that do not require a visa to enter Vietnam, and are granted an automatic stay of up to 45 days (lucky countries!)
The E-Visa is obtained through the MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY Immigration Department. There are two types of E-Visas available: single entry visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to three months without leaving, which costs $25 USD, and there is a multi-entry E-Visa, which is $50 USD, which enables one to travel in and out of the country if you wish to do some travelling in nearby countries and return back to Vietnam.
*In regards to the countries that are exempt for 45 days, there is a comprehensive list of the countries who do not require a visa for 45 days also listed on the official government’s immigration site.
It is absolutely imperative that you apply for and receive the visa either before you book your flight, as it can take a few more than 3 – 5 business days to process, but the system isn’t as straight forward as some others, and frequently will ask you to amend your application if your documents aren’t correct, if the portrait that’s require to have taken (aside from your passport’s picture) isn’t straight enough, etc. etc. So sometimes, it can take up to two weeks or more if you have to keep amending your eVisa application. It’s not always difficult, but it can be a bit finicky, or rather stringent, and it’s always better safe than sorry to have your eVisa approved before your flight is booked — you can apply for your eVisa far in advance. There’s nothing worse than not having your eVisa approved until the very last moment after you’ve already booked your flights! Take it from me, the anxiety is just not worth it, so apply as far in advance as possible.
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