Vietnam Visa for Chinese Passport Holders in Dubai — Complete Guide 2026

Yes. An ordinary Chinese passport used for tourism is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list, so Chinese nationals need a visa to enter Vietnam. China does appear on Vietnam’s visa-exemption list, but the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists it for diplomatic, official and ordinary passports endorsed “for public affairs” — not the ordinary passport carried for tourism and business. The practical answer for a leisure or business trip is therefore that a visa is required, and the e-visa is the route. Vietnam opened its e-visa to citizens of every country in August 2023, so Chinese nationals are fully eligible to apply online.

One point to watch: in November 2023 Vietnamese authorities discussed a proposal to waive visas for Chinese (and Indian) citizens. That proposal has not come into force, so the current rule still requires an e-visa for ordinary Chinese passport holders — re-confirm the position on the official portal before booking.

The Vietnam e-visa is granted on the basis of your passport, not your residency. The official application asks only for a clear scan of your passport bio-page and a passport-style photo, plus your travel details — there is no Emirates ID field, no proof-of-residence requirement, and no need to submit your physical passport. A Chinese national can apply from anywhere, and a UAE residence card is neither required nor an advantage; where agencies imply otherwise, it is not needed. The only UAE-specific practicality is payment: pay the government fee online with a UAE card that has international online transactions enabled.

1. 1Go to the official portal at evisa.gov.vn — the only official government site.
2. 2Choose “E-visa Issuance”, then “Outside Vietnam foreigners”, then “Apply new”.
3. 3Upload your white-background photo and a clear scan of your Chinese passport bio-page.
4. 4Enter your name in the pinyin form printed in the passport machine-readable zone, with your family name in the surname field.
5. 5Select “China” as your nationality, then enter your passport number and expiry date.
6. 6Choose single or multiple entry, your entry and exit airports, and your travel dates.
7. 7Pay USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple) by card with international transactions enabled.
8. 8Save your registration code and return in about three working days to download and print the approved e-visa.

A name-field error — surname and given name in the wrong place — or a photo issue is the usual cause of a Vietnam e-visa rejection. OraVisa prepares and reviews Vietnam e-visa applications for Chinese nationals and their families in Dubai — checking the passport scan, photo and the pinyin name fields against the passport before submission.