How Long Can Canadians Stay in Vietnam
Canadian citizens generally need a visa to enter Vietnam. Travel.gc.ca states that a valid Canadian passport holder may apply online for an e-visa, as a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic tourist visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days. You must enter through the port listed on the approval notice. Canada is not on Vietnam's unilateral 45-day visa-exemption list, which covers a short set of other nationalities. For visits longer than 90 days, get a visa from a Vietnamese embassy before departure. Overstaying or holding the wrong visa type is a serious matter. You may be delayed from onward travel until a fine is paid.
This guide is for Canadians planning Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or multi-city Vietnam routes, including nomads who want a full 90-day stretch. The problem is outdated advice about visa exemption or 30-day tourist visas that no longer match the e-visa system most travelers use.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Canadian visa exemption? | Generally no for ordinary tourism |
| Main product | Vietnam e-visa |
| Max stay on e-visa | Up to 90 days (single or multiple entry) |
| Official portal | evisa.gov.vn |
| Longer than 90 days | Embassy visa before departure |
| Passport | Valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Vietnam |
| Official Canadian source | Travel.gc.ca Vietnam |
| Embassy of Vietnam in Canada | E-visa notice |
Who this applies to
These rules apply to Canadian citizens traveling on a regular Canadian passport for tourism or other short visits that the e-visa covers.
They do not cover Vietnamese residence cards, work permits, or student status. Canadian spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens may be eligible for a visa exemption certificate. Contact the Embassy of Vietnam in Canada for that process. Dual nationals should match the passport they use at entry to the document on the e-visa.
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes for ordinary tourist and short business visits. Travel.gc.ca lists tourist, business, student, and work visas as required. The practical default is the national e-visa system.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Canada explains that from 15 August 2023 the e-visa term was lengthened from a maximum of 30 days with single entry to a maximum of 90 days with single or multiple entries, and that e-visas apply to citizens of all countries and territories. The same notice lists the unilateral 45-day visa exemption for 13 countries. Canada is not on that list.
Enter only through an accepted international checkpoint listed on your approval. Some restrictions apply. Match names and passport numbers exactly. Errors can mean extra fees, denied boarding, or refused entry.
How to apply for a Vietnam e-visa
Step 1. Open the official portal at evisa.gov.vn. Avoid lookalike paid resellers unless you knowingly want a service agent.
Step 2. Prepare a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your expected Vietnam exit date, a digital photo that meets the portal specs, and your planned entry port.
Step 3. Complete the form carefully. Full name, date of birth, and name order must match the passport exactly. Travel.gc.ca flags this as a common failure point.
Step 4. Pay the official fee through the portal's payment method. Keep the receipt.
Step 5. Wait for approval. Build several business days of buffer. Print or save the e-visa PDF.
Step 6. Enter only through the checkpoint on the approval notice, on the same passport used in the application. Photograph the visa dates the day you arrive.
If you plan to enter at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese authorities encourage a Digital Pre-arrival Form within 3 days of arrival. Travel.gc.ca says it is not yet a mandatory entry condition, but it could expand on short notice. Use the official pre-arrival site.
Worked example with concrete dates
Avery, a Canadian citizen, wants Vietnam from 15 September 2026 to 10 December 2026 (87 days). Avery applies on 20 August 2026 for a single-entry e-visa covering that period. Approval arrives 25 August 2026 with validity matching the stay.
Avery arrives in Hanoi on 15 September 2026 and must exit by the end date on the e-visa, not "90 days from whenever." If Avery later wants a weekend in Bangkok on 1 November and a return to Ho Chi Minh City on 5 November, a multiple-entry e-visa would have been the correct product. On a single-entry visa, leaving Vietnam ends that entry.
Single vs multiple entry
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Single entry | One continuous Vietnam stay up to 90 days |
| Multiple entry | Side trips to Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand with return inside e-visa validity |
Multiple entry does not create unlimited presence. It allows more than one entry during the e-visa validity window, still subject to the 90-day maximum framework of the product. Read your approval letter for exact valid-from and valid-to dates.
Leaving for Cambodia and returning only works if your visa allows another entry and remains valid. For hop mechanics and risk, see how visa runs work.
Extensions, longer stays, and remote work
Travel.gc.ca says you can request a visa extension at the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or through certain local travel agencies. Do not assume a tourist e-visa extends as easily as some neighboring countries' exemptions. If you need more than 90 days, plan a new lawful visa strategy rather than overstaying.
Vietnamese visas in expired Canadian passports are not valid. Transfer the visa to the new passport.
Tourist e-visas are for temporary visits consistent with the declared purpose. Local employment needs proper work authorization. Remote work for a foreign employer while traveling is common among nomads and still distinct from Vietnamese employment status. See remote work tourist visa legality.
Passport validity for multi-country Asia routes often follows the stricter six-month passport rule at airline check-in.
Overstay in Vietnam
Travel.gc.ca states that overstaying your Vietnamese visa or having the wrong type of visa is a serious matter. You may be delayed from onward travel until a fine is paid. Check validity and conditions carefully.
Do not "buy" extra beach days with planned fines. Exit bans also exist in Vietnam for investigations, unpaid debts, and other legal problems. If you cannot leave because of an exit ban, consult a lawyer and contact the nearest Government of Canada office.
Common mistakes
Assuming Canada is visa-exempt for 45 days. That list is a different nationality set.
Using unofficial clone websites. Apply on evisa.gov.vn when possible.
Entering at the wrong checkpoint. The approval notice lists the port.
Treating a single-entry e-visa as a multiple-entry hop pass.
Ignoring name-order mismatches between passport and application.
Losing the hotel registration trail. Commercial stays usually file your presence. Non-commercial stays must be reported at the nearest police station. Never leave your passport with hotel staff after check-in.
How Staywise tracks Vietnam stays
Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) logs each Vietnam entry, counts down the e-visa end date you record, and alerts 7, 3, and 1 day before overstay. Multi-country years that mix Vietnam with Thailand, Indonesia, and Canada stay on one timeline.
Passport data stays on device. Free trial, then annual subscription. See App Store for current pricing.
Download Staywise on the App Store
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How to track this stay limit automatically
Country stay limits only help if you know how many days you have already used. Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) counts days across countries automatically and sends overstay alerts before a limit hits. Passport details stay on your device; only travel dates sync for the math. Available on iOS.
For tool comparisons, see Best Visa Tracker Apps for Digital Nomads (2026) and How to Track Your Days in Multiple Countries.
Download Staywise on the App Store
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Canadian citizens stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Ordinary Canadian tourists are not visa-exempt. Travel.gc.ca requires a visa and points Canadians to the e-visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days as single or multiple entry. A limited visa exemption certificate may apply to Canadian spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens. Do not plan a 45-day visa-free trip on rules written for other nationalities. Apply on the official portal and leave on or before the date printed on the approval.
Can Canadians stay 90 days in Vietnam on an e-visa?
Yes, if the e-visa is issued for that length and you follow the valid-from and valid-to dates on the approval, not a mental "90 days from landing" count. Single entry covers one continuous stay. Multiple entry covers more than one entry inside the same validity window. For visits longer than 90 days, Travel.gc.ca says you must get a visa from the nearest Vietnamese embassy before departure. Photograph the end date the day you arrive.
Do Canadians need a multiple-entry e-visa for a Cambodia side trip?
Yes if you will leave Vietnam and want to return on the same authorization. A single-entry e-visa is consumed when you exit. A weekend in Phnom Penh on a single-entry visa means you need a new visa to come back. Multiple entry still sits inside the 90-day maximum framework of the e-visa product. Read the approval letter. Side trips do not pause the validity clock.
Can I extend a Vietnam e-visa from inside the country?
Sometimes. Travel.gc.ca says you can request an extension at the Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or through certain local agencies. Treat extension as a process, not a right. Apply well before expiry. If you need reliable time beyond 90 days, use an embassy visa or another lawful status instead of hoping for a last-week extension. Wrong visa type is also a compliance problem, not only overstay length.
What happens if a Canadian overstays in Vietnam?
Overstay is a serious matter. Travel.gc.ca says you may be delayed from onward travel until a fine is paid. Longer or messy cases can complicate later Vietnamese visas and other countries' risk assessments. Leave on time or extend lawfully. Do not treat daily fines as a cheap ticket to extra weeks. Keep proof of your authorized stay until you exit, and build buffer into return flights.
Sources
- Government of Canada, Vietnam travel advice - entry and exit
- Vietnam Immigration Department, e-visa portal
- Embassy of Vietnam in Canada, e-visa for all countries and 90-day duration
- Immigration Department of Vietnam, Pre-arrival information
Related guides
- How Long Can US Citizens Stay in Vietnam
- How Visa Runs Work
- Remote Work Tourist Visa Legality
- Six-Month Passport Rule Explained
About Staywise
Staywise is the visa compliance app for digital nomads. Built by nomads for nomads, it tracks your days across every country automatically, alerts you before overstays, and keeps passport details on your device for privacy. The in-app AI assistant answers visa questions in plain English. Available on iOS.
Important: This content is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Visa rules, tax regulations, and entry requirements change frequently and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified professional before making travel decisions. Staywise tracks your days and surfaces compliance information, but final responsibility for compliance rests with the traveler.