El Salvador E-Visa for Vietnam Citizens: 2026 Entry Requirements

For citizens of Vietnam planning an extraordinary journey to El Salvador—whether to experience the world-class surfing at "Surf City," explore the stunning crater lakes of Santa Ana, or engage with the nation’s pioneering Bitcoin ecosystem—securing an official electronic travel permit is a mandatory requirement. As El Salvador refines its digital borders for 2026, Vietnamese passport holders can now manage their entry process online, ensuring a compliant transition from Southeast Asia to Central America.

Visa Policy and Exemptions for Vietnamese Travelers

Under current 2026 immigration regulations, Vietnam is classified as a country whose citizens require a pre-approved visa for entry. However, a significant travel shortcut exists for seasoned international travelers: if you hold a valid, multiple-entry visa from the United States, Canada, or any member of the Schengen Area, you may be exempt from the Salvadoran e-visa requirement. If you do not possess one of these specific third-party visas, you must obtain your official electronic permit before departing from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) or Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).

Document Readiness and Ultra-Long-Haul Logistics

The journey from Vietnam to San Salvador (SAL) is an immense transcontinental expedition, typically involving two or more connections and exceeding 24 to 34 hours of travel time. To ensure your application is processed without administrative delays, all digital submissions must be high-resolution and meet official immigration standards.

The foundation of your request is the Vietnam specific document checklist, which includes a clear scan of your passport’s bio-page (valid for at least 6 months) and a professional digital photograph. Logistically, flying from Vietnam to El Salvador involves major global hubs. Common routes for Vietnamese travelers include transiting through Taipei (TPE) with EVA Air, Incheon (ICN) with Korean Air, or Tokyo (NRT/HND) with ANA, followed by a final leg through North American gateway cities like Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). Providing a confirmed flight itinerary is mandatory for authorities to verify your intended arrival and departure dates.

Currency and Financial Information

Planning your finances is crucial when traveling from the Dong-based economy of Vietnam to Central America. The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is not accepted or exchangeable in El Salvador. The Salvadoran economy operates on a unique dual-currency system where the United States Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin are both recognized as legal tender.

Before you begin the application process, you can review the current visa fees and accepted payment methods to ensure your digital transaction is successful. For your daily expenses in El Salvador, we recommend carrying USD in cash—specifically in small denominations like $1, $5, and $10. While credit cards are widely used in major hotels in San Salvador, cash remains the most practical way to pay for local transportation and dining in traditional village markets.

Final Approval and Port of Entry

The standard processing fee for the e-visa for Vietnam citizens is $100, and most applications are finalized within 5 to 9 business days. Once your approval is delivered via email, you must print a physical copy of the document. Upon arrival at the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, you will present this paper copy to the immigration officials. They will provide the final entry stamp, which typically permits a stay of up to 90 days in the country.