Vietnam is one of the easier Asian trips from the UAE: Emirates flies from Dubai to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with listed flight times of under seven and a half hours. Since 15 August 2023 citizens of all countries and territories can apply for a Vietnamese e-visa online, valid for up to 90 days. Because the north, centre and south have different weather, plan your route around your travel month, or ask a UAE agency to do it for you.
Key facts
| Topic | What we verified |
|---|---|
| Flights from Dubai | Emirates serves Hanoi (Noi Bai) and Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) |
| Flight times listed by Emirates | Dubai–Hanoi 6 h 45 min; Dubai–Ho Chi Minh City 7 h 25 min |
| E-visa | Open to citizens of all countries and territories; valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| Visa exemption | Some nationalities can enter without a visa; check the list for your passport |
| Weather | Varies by region; Vietnam’s tourism board says March to May offers the best weather countrywide |
| Tet (Lunar New Year) | Heavy domestic travel demand, and many businesses close for at least the first few days |
| Package prices | Vary by season, hotels and inclusions; ask agencies for written quotes |
How do you get to Vietnam from the UAE?
Emirates operates from Dubai International to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Its route pages list a flight duration of 6 hours 45 minutes to Hanoi and 7 hours 25 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City, noting that times can vary by flight, day and season. Check the current timetable for your dates. See our Emirates and Dubai International (DXB) guides for departure information.
Flying into one city and out of the other lets you travel the length of the country without doubling back. Ask your agency to price this “open-jaw” option.
Do UAE residents need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Vietnam’s immigration portal describes the e-visa as valid for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry. Vietnam’s national tourism board confirms that, from 15 August 2023, citizens of all countries and territories can apply. Some nationalities are visa-exempt for shorter stays. The exempt list and permitted stays have changed over time, so check the current rule for your passport rather than relying on older articles.
Points to know before applying, from the immigration portal:
- You must be outside Vietnam and hold a valid passport.
- The e-visa fee is paid online through the immigration department’s payment gateway.
- The fee is not refunded if the application is refused.
- E-visas can only be used at designated ports of entry, which the portal lists.
Apply only through the official portal (evisa.gov.vn). For questions, contact the Embassy of Viet Nam in Abu Dhabi, or ask a travel agency whether it can help with the application. Our ranking of top-rated travel agencies in Dubai can help you shortlist one.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam’s national tourism board says March to May offers the best weather countrywide, and that there is always some part of the country with good weather. Its regional guide describes:
| Region | Drier and sunnier | Wetter or cooler |
|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) | April–June: warm to hot, sunny | December–March: cool to cold and misty; June–August: stormy, hot and humid |
| Centre (Hoi An) | February–August: warm to hot, sunny | September–January: rainy, cool and cloudy |
| South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) | December–April: clear skies, hot and sunny | May–November: sporadic rain, hot and humid |
| Phu Quoc island | October–June: clear skies, hot and sunny | July–September: stormy, hot and humid |
Does Tet affect travel plans?
Yes. Tet, the Lunar New Year, follows the lunar calendar, so its date changes each year. The national tourism board warns that people travel home for Tet, creating heavy demand for bus, train and plane tickets and hotel rooms. It also notes that businesses and restaurants typically close for at least the first few days. If your dates are close to Tet, book transport and hotels well ahead.
Where to go: north, centre and south
- Ha Long Bay (north): a UNESCO-listed bay of karst islands. The tourism board notes that most visitors take a packaged cruise including transport to and from Hanoi, and it recommends staying overnight on the bay to see sunset and sunrise among the karsts.
- Hoi An (centre): the tourism board says Da Nang’s international airport is a 50-minute drive from Hoi An’s Ancient Town. The UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary is 40 km away.
- Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta (south): served directly from Dubai and best visited in the drier months of December to April.
Booking a Vietnam package through a UAE agency
We do not quote package prices, because they vary with season, hotel standard and inclusions. Ask agencies to quote the same dates and route, and check whether internal flights, airport transfers, a Ha Long Bay cruise, guided excursions and e-visa assistance are included. Browse holidays from the UAE, the top travel agencies in Dubai or the top travel agencies in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dubai to Vietnam?
Emirates lists 6 hours 45 minutes to Hanoi and 7 hours 25 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City. Times can vary by flight and season.
How long is a Vietnam e-visa valid?
Vietnam’s immigration portal says up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
Can any nationality apply for the e-visa?
Yes. Vietnam’s national tourism board says citizens of all countries and territories have been able to apply since 15 August 2023.
Is the e-visa fee refundable?
No. The immigration portal states that the fee is not refunded if the application is refused.
When is the best time to go?
The national tourism board says March to May has the best weather countrywide. Conditions differ by region, so match your route to your month.
Should I avoid travelling at Tet?
Not necessarily. Transport and hotels get very busy and many businesses close for the first few days, so book early and expect quieter cities.
Entry rules and schedules change. Confirm visa requirements for your nationality through Vietnam’s official e-visa portal or the Embassy of Viet Nam in the UAE, and check flight times with your airline before you book.
Verified from official sources — last checked 2 October 2026. Details can change; confirm with the operator before you travel.
- Emirates – Dubai to Hanoi route page
- Emirates – Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City route page
- Emirates media centre – second daily Ho Chi Minh City flight (17 May 2024)
- Vietnam Immigration Department – National portal on immigration (e-visa)
- Vietnam National Electronic Visa system
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Official guide to e-Visas
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Visa requirements
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Weather and climate
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – A traveller's guide to Tet
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Ha Long
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – Hoi An
- Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the UAE