Vietnamese travel platform VietnamTravel.in announced on 25 April a new “fast-track” e-visa channel that promises to deliver approval to Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passport holders within two hours.
The premium service, which costs US $95 including government fees, is processed through an authorised interface with Vietnam’s Immigration Department and is available daily from 08:00 to 20:00 ICT.
The move comes as Cathay Pacific, HK Express and VietJet Air add more than 35 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Vietnam’s major cities for the summer timetable.
Industry data from ForwardKeys show Vietnam has overtaken Japan as the top short-haul leisure destination for Hongkongers, accounting for 18 per cent of outbound bookings in May and June.
For corporate mobility teams, the accelerated processing time makes last-minute client visits and project kick-offs far easier.
For Hong Kong–based travellers who would rather outsource the paperwork altogether, visa specialist VisaHQ provides end-to-end application support and real-time status tracking for Vietnam and more than 200 other destinations. Its local portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) helps individuals and mobility managers verify requirements, avoid data-entry errors and arrange courier services when original passports are needed.
Previously, travellers often relied on “Visa on Arrival” approval letters that could take three working days and required lining up at airport visa counters—an unpredictable bottleneck.
The new system issues a digital QR code that can be scanned at automated e-gates in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, trimming arrival formalities to under ten minutes.
Applicants upload a passport scan and head-shot photo; any discrepancies in passport numbers or names will trigger an automatic rejection that nullifies the fee, VietnamTravel.in warns.
Mobility managers should therefore establish a double-check procedure before submission and remind travellers that passports must be valid for at least six months on the day of entry.
While the service initially applies to 30-day single-entry visas, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said it may extend the fast-track model to multi-entry and 90-day visas later this year if pilot volumes meet security thresholds.
Companies planning recurring travel or rotational assignments should watch for updates and budget for the higher processing fee when drafting 2026 travel forecasts.
