Vietnamese passport holders need a visa for South Korea (ordinary passports; K-ETA is only for visa-free nationalities). This page gathers what the Korean embassy and visa centre for Vietnam publish, checked on 2026-09-26. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official page before you apply.
At a glance
| What the official pages say | |
|---|---|
| Do I need a visa? | Yes — Vietnamese ordinary passports need a visa for a tourist trip (no general visa exemption, no K-ETA). (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa type | Tourist visa C-3-9 single entry: up to 30 days, valid 3 months. (source 1, source 2) |
| Where to apply | KVAC Hanoi (residents from Quang Tri northward) or KVAC Ho Chi Minh City (southern residents) — yourself or through an embassy-designated / registered travel agency. (source 1, source 2) |
| Fee | KVAC service fee VND 390,000 (cash), charged separately. The visa fee itself: check the visa centre — its FAQ shows two different figures. (source 1, source 2) |
| Processing time | 16 working days if you apply yourself; 9 through a registered agency; 6 through a designated agency. (source 1, source 2) |
| Stay per entry | 30 days on a single-entry tourist visa. (source) |
| Multiple-entry visa | 5-year (30 days per stay) or 10-year (90 days per stay) multiple visas for set groups — e.g. a visit to Korea in the last year (visa-free/Jeju entries do not count), income over USD 8,000 a year, civil servants. Residents registered for 1+ year in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can get C-3-91: 10 years, 90 days per stay. (source 1, source 2) |
| Jeju visa-free entry | Allowed — 30 days visa-free when you fly directly into Jeju. Going on to the mainland needs a stay-area extension permit from Jeju immigration. (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa-free transit | Allowed — up to 30 days visa-free when transiting Korea to or from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or one of 32 European countries while holding that country’s visa or residence, with an onward ticket within 30 days. (source 1, source 2) |
Core documents
The main items the official checklist asks for — the full list depends on your job and who pays for the trip:
- Passport valid 6+ months (original and copy) and a copy of your national ID
- Application form with photo
- Proof of status: employment contract or work certificate, business licence and tax certificate, student card, or retirement documents
- Bank transaction history — Hanoi asks for 3 months, Ho Chi Minh City for 6 months of salary receipts; check the list for your office
- If applying yourself: itinerary and hotel booking. Vietnamese documents need a notarised English or Korean translation
Also worth knowing
- Group tourist visas (C-3-2, filed by designated travel agencies) have their visa fee waived until 31 December 2026 — individual visas are not covered.
After the visa
Visa holders fill in the arrival card (paper on the plane, or the e-Arrival Card online before landing). Keep your hotel address and return ticket handy at immigration.
Travelling on another passport? See which nationalities can visit Korea visa-free or with K-ETA.
Korea visa for other nationalities
- Korea tourist visa for Filipino citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indonesian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Chinese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Pakistani citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Bangladeshi citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Nepali citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Mongolian citizens
FAQ
Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes — Vietnamese ordinary passports need a visa for a tourist trip (no general visa exemption, no K-ETA).
How much is a Korea tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens?
KVAC service fee VND 390,000 (cash), charged separately. The visa fee itself: check the visa centre — its FAQ shows two different figures.
How long does a Korea visa take in Vietnam?
16 working days if you apply yourself; 9 through a registered agency; 6 through a designated agency.
Sources: the Korean embassy / consulate and Korea Visa Application Center pages for Vietnam linked above, checked 2026-09-26. This page is information, not legal advice; the embassy decides.
