For many Canadian travellers, visiting Vietnam during Lunar New Year is an exciting opportunity to experience one of the country’s most vibrant cultural seasons. Cities are decorated, families gather, and traditional celebrations take place across the country. However, while travel plans may feel complete, one important detail is often underestimated — obtaining a Vietnam e-visa during the Tet holiday period.
Although Vietnam’s e-visa system remains accessible online, the approval process behind the scenes changes significantly during Lunar New Year. Immigration offices follow the national holiday schedule, processing capacity is reduced, and application volumes increase. For Canadians travelling on fixed dates, understanding these realities is essential to avoid delays and unnecessary stress.
Canadian passport holders are still permitted to submit Vietnam e-visa applications during Lunar New Year. The online application system continues to accept submissions, which leads many travellers to believe that approvals will be issued as usual.
In practice, submitting an application does not guarantee prompt processing. Immigration officers handle applications according to official working days, and during Tet, those working days are limited. As a result, applications submitted during or close to the holiday period may remain unprocessed for longer than expected.
For Canadian travellers with confirmed flights, this delay can create significant uncertainty. A visa that normally takes several business days may be postponed beyond the intended departure date, forcing last-minute changes to travel plans.
Lunar New Year is the most important public holiday in Vietnam, and government offices typically close for several consecutive days. Immigration authorities operate with reduced staff even after reopening, which often leads to backlogs.
During this period, visa applications are rarely prioritised. Requests for corrections or additional documentation may not receive timely responses, leaving applicants without clear guidance or updates.
For Canadians, even minor errors can have serious consequences. Incorrect passport details or non-compliant photos may result in the application being delayed until after the holiday, potentially affecting flights, accommodations, and onward travel arrangements.
One of the main reasons for delays is the sharp increase in travel demand around Lunar New Year. Vietnam attracts tourists, business visitors, and overseas Vietnamese returning home, all of whom contribute to a surge in visa applications.
At the same time, immigration staffing levels are reduced due to the holiday schedule. This imbalance between demand and processing capacity naturally slows down approvals, even for applications that are otherwise complete and accurate.
Another factor is timing. Many Canadian travellers underestimate the impact of Tet and submit their visa applications too close to their departure date. Without sufficient buffer time, even small delays can quickly disrupt travel plans.
For Canadians travelling during or immediately after Lunar New Year, relying solely on the standard e-visa process can be risky. In urgent situations, professional visa assistance offers a more dependable solution.
A specialised service such as VietnamImmigration.com helps reduce the risk of delays by carefully reviewing applications before submission. This step is particularly important during holiday periods when errors are harder to correct.
In urgent cases, professional support can prioritise the processing of an e-visa or approval letter within a shorter timeframe, often between 2 and 8 hours, depending on the circumstances. This option is especially valuable for Canadian travellers facing imminent departure dates.
During Lunar New Year, reliability becomes just as important as speed. Many Canadian travellers choose professional visa services because they provide clarity and reassurance when standard processing is unpredictable.
With more than 15 years of experience in Vietnam immigration procedures, VietnamImmigration.com offers tailored support for high-risk travel periods. Applications are thoroughly reviewed, progress is closely monitored, and travellers receive timely updates, even during public holidays.
Professional services also ensure that travellers are not left without assistance if issues arise. With 24/7 customer support and transparent refund policies, Canadians can move forward confidently, knowing their visa application is being handled by experienced specialists.
Canadians can obtain a Vietnam e-visa during Lunar New Year, but the process requires careful timing and realistic expectations. Tet Holiday significantly affects immigration operations, and standard applications often take longer than anticipated.
If your travel dates are fixed and flexibility is limited, using a trusted visa service is the safest way to secure your entry documents. With proper preparation and professional assistance, Canadian travellers can avoid unnecessary complications and enjoy their journey to Vietnam during this festive season.
