Vietnam holds a powerful intrigue for many visitors. Recognized internationally for delicious food, a vibrant culture, and friendly citizens, traveling to Vietnam needs to be on everyone's bucket list. The nation continues to develop international relationships and extend their list of countries eligible to enter without a visa and travel for a maximum of 45 days. Find out how your passport is accepted by the Vietnamese government and plan accordingly to make the most out of your experience.
Unless your country has signed a visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, you must present an approved visa letter at the airport of departure - failure to have the visa ready will make you ineligible to board the flight. Currently, citizens of 26 countries can travel to Vietnam without pre-applying for a visa. If you are on a visa exemption, you must have two empty pages in your passport, a valid passport, and proof of onward travel. Ensure you have checked all entry requirements, customs regulations, and other relevant information before your flight to avoid any surprises.
Important:
A valid passport for entering Vietnam means the passport has more than six months left before expiry. If your passport expires while abroad or in the upcoming six months, you will encounter difficulties going anywhere but home.
Visa exemptions in Vietnam
You will find a list of countries whose citizens are exempted from obtaining an entry visa on your embassy's official website. As of January 1, 2025, these are:
- Belarus 30 days
- Brunei 14 days
- Cambodia 30 days
- Chile 90 days
- Denmark 45 days
- Finland 45 days
- France 45 days
- Germany 45 days
- Indonesia 30 days
- Italy 45 days
- Japan 45 days
- Kazakhstan 30 days
- Kyrgyzstan 30 days
- Laos 30 days
- Malaysia 30 days
- Myanmar 14 days
- Norway 45 days
- Panama 90 days
- Philippines 21 days
- Russia 45 days
- Singapore 30 days
- South Korea 45 days
- Spain 45 days
- Sweden 45 days
- Thailand 30 days
- United Kingdom 45 days
Starting March 1, 2025, Vietnam added Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland for the duration of the year. Citizens from these countries can enjoy 45 days visa-free as long as their trip is booked with an international tour operator. This means citizens cannot fly into the country without a visa if they are traveling independently or without a tour operator.
A visa exemption means citizens of these countries are permitted to enter Vietnam without a visa letter on arrival for the duration of the exemption. If you know you will be in Vietnam longer than your exemption, then you must apply for a visa before arriving or leaving the country after your exempted period.
Visa application in Vietnam
A range of visa types exists for various reasons for entry into the country. You can browse what is the most appropriate one for your travel and easily . If this website does not meet your requirements, for example, if you have a more complicated travel situation, it is recommended that you contact your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which will assist you through a tailored process.
Typical documents required are your application form, a certified copy of your passport, and recent passport-sized photographs.
When you are filling out your application, the port of entry is a crucial piece of information. If your travel documents do not align with the port of entry you have chosen, your visa and travel plans may be canceled. Currently, the is accepted at 41 ports across the country, including 13 international airports, 16 land border crossings, and 12 seaports.
The standard cost of a Vietnam E-visa is 25 USD for a single-entry E-visa or 50 USD for a multiple-entry E-visa. If you are using a visa agent, they will also have processing and handling fees, which are subject to change, so please read the instructions provided on your application forms.
Although not always needed, it is advised that you start the application procedure at least a month before the scheduled date of your departure so as to ensure that you allow enough time for any potential issues during the process. There are fast-tracked options if you find yourself in instant need of a visa, but they are expensive.
Good to know:
The standard visa application process will grant you a visa acceptance letter, which you will be required to produce, along with your passport and the required documentation, upon arriving in the country. This document must be printed for the customs officer to scan upon arrival.
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