Got your Vietnam trip coming up in just a few days… or maybe tomorrow? Don’t let visa delays ruin your plans. If you’re an American traveler in urgent need of …
Travelers flying to Vietnam during Tet Holiday often encounter an unexpected obstacle: nearly all government offices—including the Vietnam Immigration Department—shut down completely for 7–10 days. Many visitors discover this only when their flight is approaching or when airlines deny boarding due to the lack of a valid visa. Stress increases, online searches surge, and thousands of travelers begin scrambling for a last-minute solution. If you are reading this, you may be experiencing the same situation—an unprocessed e-visa, a closed Vietnamese Embassy, or complete confusion about how to obtain a visa during the country’s biggest national holiday. This guide is designed to give you clarity, reassurance, and—most importantly—a practical solution that actually works during Tet. While regular visa channels stop operating, a few authorized partners are still able to process urgent visa approvals through special after-hours systems. These emergency pathways are the only reliable method to obtain a Vietnam visa during Tet Holiday, and this article explains exactly how to use them to keep your travel plans on track.
Tet Holiday, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most important celebration in Vietnam. It marks the Lunar New Year and brings nationwide closures, including all immigration offices, embassies, and consulates. These offices shut down completely because Tet is a national holiday with deep cultural and family significance.
During this period, visa approvals stop entirely. Although e-visa portals remain open for submissions, no officer reviews or approves applications until after Tet, creating massive backlogs that slow processing times even further.
This nationwide shutdown leaves travelers who apply too close to Tet with pending applications and no active government channel to assist them.
Vietnam Immigration does not process visas during Tet Holiday. This includes e-visa approvals, embassy visa stamping, and visa modifications. Government personnel are off duty, and no applications are handled until operations resume.
Airlines strictly require a valid visa or an official Visa on Arrival approval letter. They cannot make exceptions. Every year, many travelers are denied boarding simply because they were unaware of the shutdown.
After Tet, thousands of waiting applications overwhelm the system, causing further delays. This is why depending on regular visa routes during Tet is unreliable and risky.
Most visa categories are either unavailable or severely delayed during Tet. Below is the breakdown:
E-visa submissions remain open online, but no approvals occur during the holiday. This is one of the most common misunderstandings among travelers, many of whom assume the system is automated. In reality, human immigration officers must manually review and approve each e-visa application. During Tet, all officers are off duty, so no progress is made on pending applications until after the holiday.
Embassies and consulates abroad also observe Tet Holiday and suspend all visa services, including visa stamping, document verification, and application processing. Email support is usually limited or completely unavailable, leaving travelers without assistance until the embassy reopens.
This is the only visa option that can still be processed during Tet, and only through certified visa service providers who maintain authorized after-hours access to immigration channels. These agencies can issue an Emergency Visa Approval Letter, which is fully recognized by all airlines and immigration checkpoints in Vietnam, allowing travelers to board and enter the country legally.
These services are generally not available during Tet, but certain urgent or sensitive cases may qualify for special handling through authorized channels. However, processing remains limited and should not be relied upon unless absolutely necessary.
Key takeaway: If you are traveling during Tet Holiday, the Emergency Visa Approval Letter, processed through an authorized urgent visa service, is realistically the only viable method to secure legal entry into Vietnam.
Because government departments close entirely, obtaining a Vietnam visa during Tet is only possible through accredited agencies with special authorization. These agencies maintain access to after-hours processing channels that allow them to secure Emergency Visa Approval Letters even when regular systems are inactive.
This service is essential for travelers flying within 2–48 hours, business travelers, families, and anyone needing urgent entry. Processing typically ranges from 2 to 8 hours.
Authorized agencies follow strict procedures and work directly with emergency immigration personnel. Airlines recognize these approval letters, ensuring travelers can board without issues.
This is where VietnamImmigration.com becomes a vital resource. With more than 15 years of professional experience, guaranteed approval, fast processing times, 24/7 support, and a 100% refund policy, the service provides the safest and most efficient solution for Tet travel.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with clear and readable details.
A confirmed schedule speeds up urgent processing, though some agencies may assist even without a booked flight.
Provide email and phone/WhatsApp for instant delivery of your approval letter.
Incorrect passport numbers, misspelled names, or mismatched details can cause delays or rejection. Professional agencies verify details to prevent issues.
Do Not Rely on E-visa Before or During Tet: E-visa applications are not processed during Tet because immigration officers are off duty, leading to thousands of pending cases and long post-holiday delays; relying on e-visa during this period often results in unapproved applications and travelers being denied boarding.
Apply Early Whenever Possible: Submitting your visa request at least 7–10 days before Tet minimizes risks by avoiding the surge of last-minute applications and giving you time to correct errors or adjust documents if needed.
Check Passport Validity: Ensure your passport remains valid for at least six months and is free from damage, as airlines enforce entry requirements strictly during Tet and may refuse boarding over issues like faded text, torn pages, or unreadable details.
Use a Professional Visa Provider: A trusted visa agency can verify your documents, prevent common mistakes, and access authorized urgent-processing channels that remain operational during Tet, significantly increasing your approval success rate.
Contact an Agency Immediately if Your Flight Is Soon: If your flight departs within 24–48 hours, immediate action is crucial since urgent visa cases require fast coordination through after-hours channels, and early submission greatly improves your chances of receiving approval in time.
Prepare Properly to Reduce Stress During Tet Travel: Understanding Tet’s shutdown schedule, ensuring your documents are accurate, and securing professional support help you avoid delays and ensure a smooth, stress-free visa process during the holiday period.
Tet Holiday creates one of the most challenging times of the year for obtaining a Vietnam visa, but the right strategy and a reliable urgent-processing partner make it completely manageable. While regular visa channels shut down, authorized emergency services allow travelers to secure approval quickly and safely. Whether your flight is soon or you simply want to avoid stressful delays, acting early and choosing professional support ensures a smooth entry into Vietnam.
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