If Vietnam is on your travel list for early 2026, careful planning is essential.
The Vietnamese Immigration Authority and embassies worldwide will suspend visa services during the Lunar New Year, commonly known as Tet. As a result, visa processing is expected to be reduced or completely paused during the official holiday period.
Vietnam Visa Closure Dates Confirmed
According to official holiday notifications:
- Closure period: February 14, 2026 to February 22, 2026
- Most embassy announcements indicate closure until February 23, 2026
- Services are expected to resume after the holiday concludes
Tet is Vietnam’s most significant national celebration. Government offices—including immigration departments, embassies, and consulates—typically shut down during this period.
Expect Delays After Reopening
Even after offices reopen, visa processing may not immediately return to normal speed.
Applications submitted just before the holiday often accumulate. Once services resume, staff must clear a backlog of pending cases. This means approvals in the last week of February may take longer than usual.
If your travel date falls in late February or early March, you should allow additional processing time.
Who Will Be Affected?
The suspension applies to:
- Vietnam Immigration Authority offices
- Vietnamese embassies and consulates overseas
- Visa authorization processing during the holiday window
Travelers applying for tourist visas, business visas, or e-Visas may all experience delays.
Similar Advisory from the Chinese Embassy
The Chinese Embassy has issued a comparable notice for the Spring Festival holiday period.
- Closure: February 14 to February 23, 2026
- Services resume: February 24, 2026
The Spring Festival, marking the Lunar New Year, is China’s most important public holiday. During this time, Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide typically operate with limited or no visa services.
Travelers heading to either Vietnam or China during this period should plan accordingly.
Should You Apply Now?
If you intend to travel to Vietnam or China in February or early March 2026, the safest strategy is simple: apply early.
Avoid submitting your visa request close to February 14. Even expedited or fast-track services may be restricted during official shutdown dates.
If you already have a pending application, regularly check its status and prepare for possible delays.
Conclusion
The Lunar New Year is one of Vietnam’s most important holidays, and visa service suspension during this period is standard practice. While this is not unusual, it can disrupt travel plans if not anticipated.
Apply well in advance, build extra time into your itinerary, and avoid last-minute visa submissions. A small amount of early preparation can prevent costly flight changes or missed travel opportunities later.