Yes, North Korean citizens with an ordinary passport need a visa for Vietnam. Under a long-standing agreement between the two governments, only diplomatic and official passports are exempt. For ordinary passports, the usual choice is the Vietnam visa for North Korean 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.
Vietnam and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have had diplomatic relations since 1950, and their leaders have visited each other in recent years. This page explains which passports are exempt, how to pay when DPRK cards cannot be used online, which types of trip the e-visa covers, timing, routes and the embassies on both sides.
Vietnam visa for North Korean citizens: quick facts (November 2026)
- Ordinary DPRK passport: visa needed. Use the 90-day e-visa, US$25 single or US$50 multiple entry.
- Diplomatic and official passports: visa-exempt under the bilateral agreement.
- Processing: about 3 working days, longer around Tet.
- Payment: usually made by the host organisation or a partner abroad.
- Time difference: Vietnam is 2 hours behind Pyongyang.
- Embassies: Vietnam in Pyongyang, the DPRK in Hanoi.
How many North Korean visitors go to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security counted 1,201 arrivals from the DPRK in 2019. The number then dropped to 101 in 2020 and to zero in 2021, because the DPRK closed its borders from early 2020. It recovered only slowly, to 173 in 2022, and 22 North Koreans arrived in January 2023.
Vietnam visa for North Korean citizens: which passports are exempt
| Passport or trip | Visa needed? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic passport | No | Travel under the bilateral agreement |
| Official (service) passport | No | Travel under the bilateral agreement |
| Ordinary passport, visit or business meeting | Yes | E-visa, up to 90 days, US$25 / US$50 |
| Ordinary passport, study | Yes | Study visa arranged by the Vietnamese university |
| Phu Quoc island | No, up to 30 days | Direct international flights to Phu Quoc only |
The e-visa covers official, business and private visits. It does not allow employment. In addition, UN Security Council resolutions bar countries from issuing new work authorisations to North Korean nationals, so this page does not cover work visas.
How to apply for a Vietnam visa as a North Korean citizen
- Check your passport. It must be valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages.
- Copy the Latin spelling of your name exactly as printed, for example Ri, Pak or Ryu. Do not change it to a South Korean or English spelling such as Lee or Park, because the e-visa must match the passport.
- 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.
- Arrange the payment. Cards issued in the DPRK cannot pay on international websites, so the fee is usually paid by the inviting organisation in Vietnam or by a partner abroad, or through our service.
- Apply on evisa.gov.vn and choose your entry gate from the list of e-visa ports of entry, usually Noi Bai airport in Hanoi.
When to apply: time difference and holidays
Vietnam is 2 hours behind Pyongyang, so office hours overlap for most of the day. For example, if you apply at 10 am on a Monday in Pyongyang, it is 8 am in Hanoi, and that Monday already counts as your first working day. Read more in our Vietnam visa processing time guide.
- Lunar New Year: Korea’s Lunar New Year falls on the same day as Vietnam’s Tet, which starts on 6 February 2027. Processing slows or pauses around it; in 2026 the pause ran from 14 to 22 February. So for delegations in February, apply in January.
- Major anniversaries: both countries mark important dates with official visits, which can fill hotels in Hanoi. Book early.
- Routes: there are no direct flights. Most travelers connect through Beijing, Shenyang or Vladivostok, so check China’s or Russia’s transit rules too.
How much does a Vietnam visa for North Korean citizens cost
The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, the same for every nationality. 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 Pyongyang. It handles visas for official travel, study and other special cases, as well as consular matters.
Embassy of the DPRK in Hanoi. Contact it if you lose your passport or need consular help during your trip. Relations remain close: Kim Jong Un made an official visit to Vietnam in 2019, and General Secretary To Lam paid a state visit to Pyongyang in October 2025.
Worked examples
- Ministry delegation on official passports: no visa needed under the bilateral agreement.
- Trade representative on an ordinary passport, two visits in 2 months: one multiple-entry e-visa (US$50), paid by the Vietnamese partner company.
- Art troupe member on an ordinary passport for a 10-day tour: a single-entry e-visa (US$25) arranged by the host organisation.
- Student accepted by a Vietnamese university: a study visa arranged by the university, not an e-visa.
FAQ: Vietnam visa for North Korean citizens
Do North Korean citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, on an ordinary passport. Diplomatic and official passports are exempt.
Is there a Vietnamese embassy in North Korea?
Yes, in Pyongyang.
Can I work in Vietnam on an e-visa?
No. The e-visa covers visits only, and UN sanctions restrict work authorisations for North Korean nationals.
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 and visa on arrival.
Sources: Vietnam Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP, 229/NQ-CP, 127/NQ-CP and 389/NQ-CP; Vietnam Ministry of Public Security arrival figures; Vietnam Government News; QDND (October 2025). Last reviewed: 9 November 2026. We are an independent visa service, not a government website.
