• 2026-04-20 13:20:00

Traveling with Family: The Complete Guide to Vietnam Visa Rules for Children

Vietnam is a wonderfully vibrant, welcoming, and safe destination for family travel. From the relaxing, pristine beach resorts of Da Nang to the educational, awe-inspiring historical sites of Hue and the bustling water puppetry shows in Hanoi, there is something to captivate travelers of every age. However, parents often face anxiety and confusion regarding the specific visa rules and immigration procedures for their children. Here is the definitive guide to ensuring your family’s entry into Vietnam is seamless.

1. Do Minors Need Their Own Visas?

The short and most important answer is: Yes. Regardless of age—even for newborns and infants—children require a valid visa to enter Vietnam, unless they hold a passport from a visa-exempt country.

2. Independent Passports vs. Shared Passports

The application method depends entirely on how your child’s passport is issued:

• Child Has Their Own Passport: If your child has their own individual passport, they must have their own individual E-visa application. You will need to upload their portrait photo and passport scan, and pay the separate visa fee, just as you would for an adult.
• Child Shares a Parent’s Passport: If your child does not have their own passport and is officially endorsed/included on a parent’s passport, they do not need a separate E-visa application. Instead, they can be included in that specific parent's E-visa application. There is a specific section on the E-visa form where you must declare accompanying minors under 14 years old who share your passport.

3. Essential Documents for Family Travel

When traveling internationally with minors, border officials are trained to be highly vigilant. Even if your visas are perfectly in order, you should always carry:

• Birth Certificates: A copy of the child’s birth certificate proving your parental relationship.
• Consent Letters: If a child is traveling with only one parent, or with a guardian/grandparent, you must bring a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) explicitly permitting the international travel. Failure to provide this can result in denied boarding at your home airport.

4. Making Family Travel Stress-Free Upon Arrival

Traveling with restless, jet-lagged kids after a 15-hour flight can be exhausting. The last thing you want is to stand in a slow-moving immigration queue for another hour holding a crying toddler.

You can apply for your entire family simultaneously using our secure online E-visa portal.

To make navigating the bustling Vietnamese airports significantly easier, we highly recommend booking our VIP Airport Fast Track service. Our professional representatives will greet your family right at the arrival gate, assist with your carry-on luggage, and escort you through priority diplomatic/VIP immigration lanes. Combine this with our spacious private car pick-up service equipped with child seats (upon request) to get your family to your hotel safely and comfortably.