Planning a trip to Vietnam without checking the holiday calendar is a rookie mistake I made on my second visit. Vietnamese holidays can significantly impact your e-visa processing time, and I learned this the hard way when my application sat untouched for nearly two weeks during Tet celebrations.

The Vietnamese government offices that process e-visa applications close completely during major holidays like Tet (Lunar New Year), Reunification Day (April 30), and National Day (September 2). These aren’t just single days off – Tet alone can mean a week or more of closures. Your “3 working days” processing time doesn’t even begin until offices reopen.

The smart move is to check Vietnam’s public holiday schedule before you apply and add buffer time accordingly. If you’re traveling during or near a major holiday period, I’d recommend applying at least 3-4 weeks in advance rather than the minimum timeframe.

For a complete list of Vietnamese holidays and how they affect visa processing, visit vietnamvisahelp.com to plan your application timing perfectly.