Emergency Vietnam e-visa for Irish travellers on weekends and public holidays
Many Irish travellers only discover they need a Vietnam visa shortly before departure, often because of last-minute travel, self-transfer flight layovers, or incorrect information in the online e-visa application. When this happens on a weekend or public holiday, applying through the standard Vietnam e-visa system is usually not possible. In such cases, an emergency Vietnam e-visa or fast-track visa solution is essential.
This guide explains how Irish passport holders can obtain urgent visa approval when time is limited.
Do Irish citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Irish passport holders are not included on Vietnam’s visa exemption list and must obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam. This requirement applies regardless of length of stay and includes short transits that require immigration clearance, such as self-transfer layovers.
Failure to present a valid visa may result in denied boarding at Dublin Airport, including for travellers whose e-visa application is still pending.
Why standard e-visa applications are not suitable for emergencies
Vietnam’s official e-visa system operates only during working days from Monday to Friday, and standard processing times typically range from 8:00 AM to 17:00 Vietnam time. Applications submitted late on a Friday, during weekends, or on Vietnamese public holidays are not processed until offices reopen.
For Irish travellers with imminent departure dates, this delay makes the standard e-visa impractical.
Emergency visa solutions available on weekends and holidays
For urgent cases, Irish travellers can apply through our professional visa service that offers emergency processing, including weekends and public holidays. Depending on the situation, this may involve:
- Expedited e-visa processing for specific nationals, including Irish citizens
- Issued e-visa details correction via the official government website
- A visa on arrival approval letter, issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department to specific nationals
- Same-day processing for critical cases
Below is a list of annual Vietnamese public holidays in 2026, 2027, 2028, among which the Vietnamese Tet holiday is the longest and may significantly affect entry procedures:
| Holidays | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 - January 4, 2026 (4 days) | January 1 - January 3, 2027 (3 days) | January 1 - January 3, 2028 (3 days) |
| Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday) | February 14 - February 22, 2026 (9 days) | February 5 - February 10, 2027 (6 days) | January 25 - February 1, 2028 (8 days) |
| Hung King Festival | April 25 - April 27, 2026 (3 days) | April 16 - April 18, 2027 (3 days) | April 4, 2028 (1 day) |
| Reunification Day | April 30, 2026 (1 day) | April 30, 2027 (1 day) | April 30, 2028 (1 day) |
| International Labour Day | May 1 - May 3, 2026 (4 days) | May 1 - May 3, 2027 (3 days) | May 1 - May 2, 2028 (2 days) |
| National Day | September 1 - September 2, 2026 (2 days) | September 2, 2027 (1 day) | September 2 - September 4, 2028 (3 days) |
How the emergency application process works
Irish travellers applying for an emergency Vietnam visa will typically need to provide passport details, travel dates, arrival airport, and flight information. Once submitted, the application is fast-tracked for immigration approval.
After approval, the visa confirmation or approval letter is issued electronically and should be printed and presented to the airline at check-in, as well as to immigration authorities upon arrival in Vietnam.
Below are the steps to apply for an emergency visa on weekends or Vietnamese public holidays:
Go online the new e-visa application form (if you haven’t applied for an e-visa) or the expedited e-visa application form (if you have applied for an e-visa with a pending visa application code) and select the “Ovetime service”.
Fill in the visa application form with required information and upload the photo of your passport and portrait photo taken at present;
Pay the visa application and rush service fee and wait for visa approval after a few hours or 1-2 working days, as you selected;
A completed visa will be sent to your email or WhatsApp within the ordered processing time. You just need to print out the visa, bring it with your passport, and enter Vietnam via airports, land ports and seaports.
Notice: The visa application and rush service fee were paid so that you don’t have to pay any extra fee upon arrival airport. If you would like to skip long queues at the arrival airport, you may order the fast track service.
Important notes for Irish travellers travelling on weekends or holidays
Airlines departing from Dublin strictly enforce Vietnam’s entry requirements and may deny boarding if passengers cannot present a valid and approved visa. Emergency visa applicants must ensure their passport meets Vietnam’s validity requirements and has sufficient blank pages. To avoid travel disruptions, please review the following information carefully:
- Do not attempt to board your flight with a pending visa application or an e-visa that contains errors that have not been corrected in the system. Even if you are allowed to board the flight, you will be denied entry upon arrival in Vietnam and required to return to your departure airport. All related costs will be entirely at your own expense.
- All visa-related issues must be fully resolved before departure, as corrections cannot be made after arrival. Entering Vietnam without a valid visa, or with a visa rendered invalid due to incorrect details, may be considered illegal entry. Contacting us as soon as the issue is identified significantly increases the chance of successful approval, even outside normal working hours.
- You can only board a flight to Vietnam once your visa has been officially approved. If you submit an emergency visa request before 13:00 (Vietnam time) on Saturday, your visa will be issued no later than 18:00 Vietnam time on the same day. Therefore, the appropriate flight for check-in should be after 18:00 on Saturday, or preferably on Sunday. If you have already booked a flight departing before 18:00 on Saturday, please contact us immediately via phone or WhatsApp so we can advise on the most suitable solution.
- The Vietnam Immigration Department does not operate on weekends or public holidays, so standard visa applications will not be processed during these periods. If you have not received your visa by Friday, please contact us to arrange an overtime visa service, which can help you avoid having to cancel or reschedule your weekend or holiday flights.
- The standard government visa fee on regular working days is USD 25 for a single entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple entry visa. However, emergency visa services on weekends and public holidays are significantly more expensive due to the special approval process. If possible, we recommend adjusting your flight schedule to allow sufficient time for visa processing and avoid additional costs.
- We strongly recommend using our airport fast track service upon arrival. Airports are typically very crowded on weekends and public holidays, and visa procedures may take considerably longer. The fast track service helps you save time, reduce waiting, and avoid fatigue after a long flight.
Get emergency Vietnam visa support now
If you are an Irish traveller facing an urgent departure to Vietnam on a weekend or public holiday, professional assistance can make the difference between travelling as planned or missing your flight. Our visa specialists provide fast, reliable emergency visa solutions tailored to Irish passport holders, including same-day and overtime processing. Contact us immediately via phone or WhatsApp +84-912-685-141 to secure your emergency Vietnam visa and avoid last-minute travel disruption.
Frequently asked questions
- +Can I depart before my e-visa entry date if I land in Vietnam on the approved date?
Yes, you can board the plane with this e-visa, provided that you land in Vietnam on or after the e-visa’s approved “valid from” date.
- +Can I apply for an e-visa while I am in Vietnam?
Electronic visas are issued to foreigners who are staying outside of Vietnam, not applicable to foreigners currently residing in Vietnam. Therefore, you can apply for a Vietnam e-visa only after departing and exiting Vietnam.
