Short answer: if your trip is two or more weeks away, your case is simple and your card works on the official portal, doing it yourself on evisa.gov.vn is the cheapest option: $25 or $50. A service is worth paying for when time is short, when the portal keeps refusing your card, or when you don't want to risk a non-refundable fee on a mistake.
Side by side
| Official portal yourself | Through a service | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $25 / $50 | From $48 / $68 with us, government fee included |
| Speed | 3–5 working days, no rush option | Economy, or urgent down to about 1.5 hours |
| Checks before submitting | None. Mistakes show up days later | Photo, passport data and dates checked first |
| Payment | Card only. Foreign cards are often declined | PayPal or international card |
| Help if something goes wrong | Support form, slow replies | A person on WhatsApp |
What a service can't do
Be wary of anyone who claims otherwise. No private service can guarantee approval, skip immigration's checks, or issue the visa itself. Every eVisa is decided by Vietnam Immigration, and you can look it up on the official portal. A service saves you time and mistakes. It does not have special powers.
Do it yourself if…
- you fly in more than two weeks,
- your passport, photo and trip are straightforward,
- you have a Visa card the portal accepts.
Use a service if…
- you fly within a week, or within hours,
- payment keeps failing,
- you have already had an amendment request or a refusal,
- you are applying for a family or group and want one person to check everything.
Quick answers
Is it legal to use a visa service?
Yes. The eVisa system allows applications through agencies. What is not okay is a site pretending to be the government.
Is the eVisa from a service the same as the official one?
Yes. It is the same eVisa, issued by Vietnam Immigration, and you can check it on evisa.gov.vn.
Is it cheaper to do it myself?
Yes, it is cheaper, but a mistake means paying the government fee again.
This guide is general information. Vietnam visa rules and processing times change — always check the current requirements. evisavietnamexpress.com is a private visa assistance service, not the official government portal.