Yes, Emirati citizens need a visa for Vietnam. The UAE is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so the easiest choice is the Vietnam visa for Emirati 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.
Links between the two countries are growing quickly. Etihad Airways started the first direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi in November 2025, and the UAE–Vietnam Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is Vietnam’s first trade deal with a Middle Eastern country. This page covers the e-visa, flights, the rule for UAE residents with other passports, timing around Ramadan, Eid and the summer, and the embassies on both sides.
Vietnam visa for Emirati citizens: quick facts (November 2026)
- Visa needed: yes. The UAE is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list.
- Best option: e-visa, up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25 or US$50.
- Processing: about 3 working days, Monday to Friday on Hanoi time.
- Passport: valid at least 6 months after arrival. The Emirates ID is not accepted.
- Flights: Etihad direct Abu Dhabi to Hanoi, six times a week, plus connections through Dubai.
- Embassies: Vietnam in Abu Dhabi, the UAE in Hanoi.
How many Emirati visitors go to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security counted 1,139 arrivals of UAE citizens in 2019. The number fell to 97 in 2021, when Vietnam’s borders were closed, and recovered to 548 in 2022, almost half the pre-pandemic level. In January 2023, 103 Emiratis arrived. With the new direct flights, the numbers are likely to keep rising.
Vietnam visa for Emirati citizens: your options
| Option | Length | Government fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$25 | One holiday or one business trip |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$50 | Several trips, or side trips to Cambodia or Thailand |
| Visa on arrival (approval letter) | As stated on the letter | US$25 / US$50 cash + letter fee | Some urgent air arrivals |
| Embassy visa, Abu Dhabi | Depends on type | Set by the embassy | Work, study and special cases |
| Phu Quoc exemption | Up to 30 days | Free | Phu Quoc island only |
Living in the UAE with another passport?
About nine in ten UAE residents are foreign nationals, and your UAE residence visa or Emirates ID does not change the Vietnam rules. Instead, the passport you travel with decides:
- British, German, French, Italian and other listed passports: up to 45 days in Vietnam without a visa.
- Indian, Filipino, American, Egyptian and most other passports: an e-visa, the same as for Emiratis.
- Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Kenyan and some other passports: visas are currently not being approved. See our page on nationalities that cannot get a Vietnam visa right now before you book.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa as an Emirati citizen
- Check your passport. It must be valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages.
- Copy the English spelling of your name from the passport, including parts such as “bin” or “Al”, in the same split between surname and given names.
- Prepare a 4×6 cm portrait on a white background, no glasses, plus a full scan of the data page. A head covering worn for religious reasons is normally fine if your whole face is visible. 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 your entry gate. For the Etihad flight, choose Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi); for flights through Dubai, choose the airport where you land. See the list of e-visa ports of entry.
When to apply: Ramadan, Eid and the summer
Vietnam is 3 hours ahead of the UAE all year, and both countries now have a Saturday and Sunday weekend, so working days mostly line up. The 3 working days are counted on Hanoi time: if you apply at 3 pm on a Friday in Abu Dhabi, it is already 6 pm in Hanoi and processing starts on Monday. Read more in our Vietnam visa processing time guide.
- Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2027: Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, two days after 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 an Eid al-Fitr trip in March, apply in January.
- Summer escapes: many Emirati families travel from June to August. That is the dry season in Da Nang and Hoi An, while the mountain town of Sa Pa stays cool. Apply at least 2 weeks before you fly.
- UAE National Day (early December): another busy week for short trips.
How much does a Vietnam visa for Emirati citizens cost
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, the same for every nationality. UAE bank cards usually pay in US dollars without problems, although your bank may add a foreign-transaction fee. 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 on both sides
Embassy of Vietnam in Abu Dhabi. It handles paper visas and consular matters. However, you do not need to visit it for an e-visa.
Embassy of the UAE in Hanoi. Contact it if you lose your passport or need consular help during your trip. Before you travel, you can also register your trip with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Twajudi service, so the embassy can reach you in an emergency.
Worked examples
- Family from Abu Dhabi, 10 days in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in July: one single-entry e-visa per person (US$25 each), flying direct with Etihad and entering at Noi Bai.
- Trader from Dubai sourcing food products under CEPA, three trips in 2 months: one multiple-entry e-visa (US$50) covering all visits within 90 days.
- Indian resident of Sharjah traveling with Emirati colleagues: an e-visa on the Indian passport, applied together with theirs.
FAQ: Vietnam visa for Emirati citizens
Do Emirati citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. The UAE is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so you need an e-visa or another visa.
Are there direct flights from the UAE to Vietnam?
Yes. Since November 2025, Etihad flies directly between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi six times a week.
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; VietnamPlus (November 2025). Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
