Yes, Ecuadorian citizens need a visa for Vietnam when they travel on an Ecuadorian passport. Ecuador is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so the usual choice is the Vietnam visa for Ecuadorian citizens issued online: a 90-day e-visa costing US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, usually ready in about 3 working days.
Neither country has an embassy in the other, so the online e-visa is also the most practical route. This page covers which passport to use if you also hold Spanish or Italian citizenship, timing in 2027 when Carnival and Tet fall in the same week, flights, costs and who to contact.
Vietnam visa for Ecuadorian citizens: quick facts (November 2026)
- Visa needed on an Ecuadorian passport: yes.
- Spanish or Italian passport: up to 45 days visa-free.
- Best option otherwise: e-visa, up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25 or US$50.
- Processing: about 3 working days, slower around Tet.
- Payment: Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there is no currency conversion on the fee.
- Embassies: Vietnam covers Ecuador from Santiago, Chile; Ecuador has no embassy in Vietnam.
How many Ecuadorian visitors go to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security counted 1,757 arrivals from Ecuador in 2019. The number fell to 57 in 2021, when Vietnam’s borders were closed, and recovered to 430 in 2022. In January 2023, 105 Ecuadorians arrived.
Vietnam visa for Ecuadorian citizens: which passport to use
| Passport or option | Length | Government fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish or Italian passport (dual citizens) | Up to 45 days | Free | Short trips |
| E-visa on your Ecuadorian passport | Up to 90 days | US$25 / US$50 | Everyone else, and longer trips |
| Visa on arrival (approval letter) | As stated on the letter | US$25 / US$50 cash + letter fee | Some urgent air arrivals |
| Phu Quoc exemption | Up to 30 days | Free | Phu Quoc island only |
- Ecuadorian and Spanish or Italian: many Ecuadorians who lived in Spain or Italy now hold that citizenship. Enter on the European passport for up to 45 days, then use the same passport for check-in, entry and exit.
- Ecuadorian and American or Colombian: no help here, because both also need a visa.
- Trips longer than 45 days: use the Ecuadorian passport with a 90-day e-visa.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa as an Ecuadorian citizen
- Check your passport. It must be valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages. The cédula is not accepted for Vietnam.
- Enter both surnames. Ecuadorian passports show paternal and maternal surnames; type both in the surname field, in the same order. If the form will not take ñ or accents, copy the spelling from the two lines of letters at the bottom of your data page.
- Prepare a 4×6 cm portrait on a white background, no glasses, plus a full scan of the data page. See our Vietnam visa photo guide.
- Apply on evisa.gov.vn or through our service if you want your form checked before it is sent.
- Choose single or multiple entry and your entry gate from the list of e-visa ports of entry.
When to apply: Carnival, Tet and the time difference
Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of Quito and Guayaquil all year, and 13 hours ahead of the Galápagos. The 3 working days are counted on Hanoi time, so if you apply at 9 pm on a Thursday in Quito, it is already 9 am on Friday in Hanoi, and Friday counts as your first working day. Read more in our Vietnam visa processing time guide.
- Carnival and Tet in 2027: Ecuador’s Carnival holiday falls on 8 and 9 February 2027, while Vietnam’s Tet starts on 6 February. Processing slows or pauses around Tet; in 2026 the pause ran from 14 to 22 February. So for a Carnival trip, apply in January.
- Semana Santa, the Sierra school holidays and December: other busy periods. Apply at least 2 weeks before you fly.
- Flights: there are no direct flights. Most routes connect in Madrid, Amsterdam or the United States; a US connection needs a US visa.
How much does a Vietnam visa for Ecuadorian citizens cost
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, the same for every nationality. Since Ecuador uses the US dollar, you pay exactly that amount with no currency conversion, although your bank may still charge a fee for international online payments. With a service, you pay the government fee plus a service fee, and the full total appears before payment. Compare all routes in our Vietnam visa cost guide.
Embassies covering both countries
Vietnam for Ecuador. There is no Vietnamese embassy in Quito. Instead, the embassy in Santiago, Chile, is also accredited to Ecuador; the current ambassador presented credentials in Quito in August 2025. You need it only for paper visas or special cases, not for an e-visa.
Ecuador in Vietnam. Ecuador has no embassy in Vietnam. In an emergency, such as a lost passport, contact Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its nearest embassy in Asia before you travel on.
Worked examples
- Couple from Quito, 2 weeks in Vietnam over Carnival 2027: two single-entry e-visas (US$25 each), applied in mid-January to avoid the Tet pause.
- Ecuadorian-Spanish dual citizen living in Madrid, 3-week holiday: no visa needed on the Spanish passport, because the trip is under 45 days.
- Shrimp exporter from Guayaquil visiting buyers twice in 2 months: one multiple-entry e-visa (US$50) covering both trips within 90 days.
FAQ: Vietnam visa for Ecuadorian citizens
Do Ecuadorian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, on an Ecuadorian passport. Ecuador is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list.
Is there a Vietnamese embassy in Ecuador?
No. The Vietnamese embassy in Santiago, Chile, covers Ecuador. For most trips, apply for the e-visa online instead.
Can I get a visa on arrival?
Only with an approval letter arranged before the flight, and only at international airports. See our guide to Vietnam visa on arrival.
Do I need the Digital Arrival Card?
If you land in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Cam Ranh, submit the free card within 72 hours before arrival. It is not a visa. Learn more about the Vietnam e-visa.
Sources: Vietnam Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP, 229/NQ-CP, 127/NQ-CP and 389/NQ-CP; Vietnam Ministry of Public Security arrival figures; The World and Vietnam Report (August 2025). Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
