Yes, Maldivian citizens need a visa for Vietnam. The Maldives is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so the easiest choice is the Vietnam visa for Maldivian 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.
Getting to Vietnam has become easier. Since August 2026, VietJet flies directly between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City, a short hop from Malé. This page covers the e-visa, the best routes, how the Friday–Saturday weekend affects processing, timing around Ramadan and Eid, costs and who to contact, since neither country has an embassy in the other.
Vietnam visa for Maldivian citizens: quick facts (November 2026)
- Visa needed: yes. The Maldives 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, with blank pages.
- Time difference: Vietnam is 2 hours ahead of Malé.
- Embassies: Vietnam covers the Maldives from Colombo; the Maldives uses a non-resident ambassador.
How many Maldivian visitors go to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security counted 943 arrivals from the Maldives in 2019. The number fell to just 5 in 2021, when Vietnam’s borders were closed, and recovered to 241 in 2022. In January 2023, 56 Maldivians arrived.
Vietnam visa for Maldivian citizens: your options
| Option | Length | Government fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$25 | One holiday, medical visit or business trip |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$50 | Several trips, or side trips to Thailand or Cambodia |
| 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 |
Maldivian leaders have asked Vietnam for easier visa rules for their citizens. So far, however, no change has been announced, so the e-visa is still required.
Flights from the Maldives
There are no direct flights between Malé and Vietnam. The most convenient routes are:
- Through Colombo: fly Malé to Colombo, then take VietJet’s direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City, which runs three times a week. Choose Tan Son Nhat as your entry gate, and fill in the Digital Arrival Card.
- Through Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok: daily connections to Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Through the Gulf: for example Abu Dhabi, which has a direct Etihad flight to Hanoi.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa as a Maldivian citizen
- Check your passport. It must be valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages. The Maldivian ID card is not accepted.
- Copy the English spelling of your name from the passport, in the same split between surname and given names. Maldivian names sometimes have no separate family name, so follow 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. 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 from the list of e-visa ports of entry, matching the airport where you land.
When to apply: weekends, Ramadan and Eid
Vietnam is 2 hours ahead of the Maldives all year. The Maldivian weekend is Friday and Saturday, while Vietnam’s immigration office works Monday to Friday, so Friday is a working day in Vietnam but Sunday is not. For example, if you apply on Thursday afternoon in Malé, Friday counts as your first working day. Read more in our Vietnam visa processing time guide.
- Ramadan, Eid and Tet in 2027: Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, two days after Vietnam’s Tet starts. 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.
- School holidays: apply at least 2 weeks before you fly, because the direct flight from Colombo runs only three days a week.
How much does a Vietnam visa for Maldivian citizens cost
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, the same for every nationality. Many Maldivians already use US dollar cards, which avoid conversion fees; otherwise, your bank may add a fee on top of the rufiyaa amount. 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 the Maldives. There is no Vietnamese embassy in Malé. Instead, Vietnam’s ambassador in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is also accredited to the Maldives. You need the embassy only for paper visas or special cases, not for an e-visa.
The Maldives for Vietnam. The Maldives has no embassy in Vietnam and is represented by a non-resident ambassador. In an emergency, such as a lost passport, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé.
Worked examples
- Family from Malé, 10 days in Ho Chi Minh City after Eid: one single-entry e-visa per person (US$25 each), flying through Colombo on the direct VietJet flight.
- Resort manager from Addu City sourcing furniture in Vietnam twice in 2 months: one multiple-entry e-visa (US$50) covering both trips within 90 days.
- Couple flying directly to Phu Quoc from Kuala Lumpur: no visa needed under the 30-day Phu Quoc exemption, as long as they stay on the island.
FAQ: Vietnam visa for Maldivian citizens
Do Maldivian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. The Maldives is not on Vietnam’s visa exemption list, so you need an e-visa or another visa.
Is there a Vietnamese embassy in the Maldives?
No. Vietnam’s ambassador in Colombo covers the Maldives. For most trips, apply for the e-visa online.
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; VOV World; Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs; News 1st (August 2026). Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
