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 …
Lunar New Year is the most exciting time to visit Vietnam — vibrant festivals, colorful streets, and a once-a-year cultural atmosphere. But for many travelers, this holiday becomes the most stressful time to obtain a visa. Imagine this: your flight is only days away, your bags are packed, your hotel is booked, and your travel plan is perfect. Then suddenly, you discover that every Vietnamese Embassy and Consulate is closed for the Tet holiday. The eVisa system takes longer than usual to process applications, customer support is unresponsive, and your approval is nowhere in sight. Thousands of travelers face this exact crisis each year. The good news? Even when the entire country pauses for celebration, there are still emergency pathways to get your visa approved in time. Whether your trip is in two days or even within 24 hours, the right emergency service can make the difference between missing your flight and enjoying an unforgettable holiday in Vietnam. This article is your complete, reliable guide to securing your Vietnam visa during Lunar New Year — fast, legally, and stress-free. Let’s walk through the fastest, safest, and most effective solutions available when every official channel is shut down.
Tet is Vietnam’s most important national holiday, extending from seven to ten days depending on the year. During this period, all government agencies — including Immigration Department offices, embassies, and consulates — close completely. This shutdown causes major processing delays for foreigners who need visas urgently. The system also experiences extremely high application volumes right before the holiday, leading to backlogs that continue even after offices reopen. As a result, travelers who apply within a week of Tet often experience delays significantly longer than usual.
In addition to government closure, limited staffing contributes to sluggish or halted application updates. Immigration officers, embassy personnel, and back-office teams all take extended leave, leaving only automated systems to handle the volume. For example, while the eVisa portal technically remains accessible, the actual review and approval process depends on human officers — meaning little to no progress occurs during the main holiday. These reduced operations create uncertainty for travelers whose flights fall during or shortly after Tet.
On top of that, visa types normally available at embassies or consulates become completely unavailable. Many travelers mistakenly believe they can apply at the last minute through these channels, only to find that all offices across the world follow Vietnam’s official holiday schedule. Because these challenges happen every year, it’s essential to prepare an alternative method that remains operational 24/7 — even when all government departments are closed. That solution is emergency visa processing through approved third-party channels that continue providing support during Tet.
Even though official offices close during Tet, several visa pathways remain available — especially for travelers needing urgent entry into Vietnam.
The Vietnam eVisa system may still process applications if you submit early enough before the holiday begins. However, it is crucial to remember that no eVisa is officially approved during the actual Tet holiday, as government officers are not on duty to review applications. If your trip dates overlap with Tet but you still have several days before the holiday begins, you may use a fast-track eVisa service to maximize your chances of approval. However, once the official holiday starts, eVisa processing is paused, and expecting approval during that period is unrealistic.
This is the best and most reliable option for travelers who need a visa urgently during Lunar New Year. While embassies close, a limited number of authorized agencies can process visa approval letters through internal channels that remain functional even during the holiday. These agencies can request emergency review from immigration partners to produce a valid approval letter in as little as 2–8 hours.
Once issued, this approval letter allows you to board your flight and obtain a Visa on Arrival at the airport in Vietnam.
This method works even during Tet, making it the most effective solution for last-minute travel.
Vietnamese embassies and consulates worldwide close fully during Lunar New Year. Visa submissions before or after Tet also take longer than usual due to backlog. Therefore, this method is not recommended at all for travelers planning to visit Vietnam during Tet. If you rely on embassy processing, your visa will almost certainly be delayed.
Emergency visa processing requires only a short list of documents to ensure fast approval. You will need:
Instead of waiting for government offices to reopen, you should submit your application through a licensed emergency visa provider.
To begin, visit VietnamImmigration.com and complete the fast emergency visa form, selecting one of the available processing speeds:
Once processed internally, your approval letter will be sent directly to your email inbox. This document is valid for airline check-in and immigration clearance in Vietnam. Print it out (recommended) or prepare a high-quality digital copy.
When you land, proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter. Present your approval letter, passport, and completed entry form. The officer will issue your official visa on the spot, allowing you to enter Vietnam smoothly.
Many travelers unintentionally make their situation worse by misunderstanding Tet-related restrictions. Some apply for eVisa only one or two days before their flight, unaware that the approval system pauses during the holiday. Others assume embassies operate on a partial schedule, only to discover they are entirely closed for up to 10 days.
A significant misconception is believing that the approval letter is unsafe or illegitimate. In reality, this is a fully legal, government-recognized visa method, and it is usually the only practical option during Tet.
Another common mistake is failing to account for airport congestion. The holiday period attracts millions of domestic travelers, causing long immigration lines. Without fast-track support or a pre-approved letter, travelers may face delays of several hours.
Every year, thousands of travelers successfully obtain their visas during Tet thanks to 24/7 professional emergency services. These specialized teams remain operational even when government departments close, ensuring that travelers with imminent flights are not stranded.
Key benefits include:
For the fastest and most reliable emergency visa service during Tet, submit your urgent request directly through VietnamImmigration.com — your trusted solution for stress-free entry into Vietnam.
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 …
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 …
Three weeks ago, I received an invitation to my best friend’s wedding in Hoi An, Vietnam. I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to join the celebration. But that excitement quickly …
The panic hits hard. You realize you need to be in Vietnam in just a few days—but you haven’t even started the visa process. Maybe it’s a last-minute business meeting, …
You’re just three days away from your flight to Vietnam, and then it hits you — you haven’t applied for a visa. Panic kicks in. You start googling frantically: “How …
Running out of time? You can still enter Vietnam—even if your flight is in just a few hours. Thousands of travelers have been in your shoes and successfully obtained their …
Imagine this: your flight to Vietnam departs tomorrow. Your bags are packed. Your itinerary is ready. But then – you suddenly realize your visa isn’t. Panic sets in. It happens …
Searching for the fastest way to get a Vietnam visa in just 24 hours? You’re not alone. Many travelers face last-minute surprises and urgent schedules. In this 2025 updated guide, …
In today’s fast-paced world, you might need to fly to Vietnam within a few hours — whether for urgent business, a family emergency, or simply because you forgot to apply …
