Vietnam visa exemption list 2026: who can enter visa-free, how long

Citizens of 39 countries can currently enter Vietnam without a visa on an ordinary passport, for between 14 and 90 days depending on nationality. On top of that, any foreign passport holder can visit Phu Quoc island visa-free for up to 30 days. Everyone else needs a visa, most often an e-visa valid for up to 90 days.

This list is based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption list and the Government's resolutions, checked as of October 2026. These policies have end dates and can change, so check again before you travel.

12 countries: 45 days, any purpose (Resolution 44/NQ-CP)

Citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland may stay 45 days from the date of entry, whatever their passport type or purpose of entry, provided they meet the entry conditions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025 applies from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 and may be extended.

12 countries: 45 days for tourism (Resolution 229/NQ-CP)

Citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland may stay up to 45 days from the date of entry for tourism, whatever their passport type. The conditions: a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and not falling into a case of entry refusal under Vietnamese law. Resolution 229/NQ-CP of 8 August 2025, part of the Tourism Stimulus Program, applies from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028. It replaced the earlier conditional programme for Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland (Resolution 11/NQ-CP).

ASEAN and other bilateral agreements for ordinary passports

Citizens of these 15 countries are exempt under agreements between Vietnam and their country. The permitted stay depends on the agreement:

• Brunei: 14 days.
• Cambodia: 30 days.
• Indonesia: 30 days.
• Laos: 30 days.
• Malaysia: 30 days.
• Myanmar: 30 days.
• Philippines: 21 days.
• Singapore: 30 days.
• Thailand: 30 days.
• Belarus: 30 days per visit, no more than 90 days in total in a calendar year.
• Kazakhstan: 30 days per visit, no more than 90 days in total within a 180-day period.
• Kyrgyzstan: 30 days.
• Mongolia: 30 days.
• Chile: 90 days.
• Panama: 90 days.

Phu Quoc: 30 days for any foreign passport

Under Government Resolution 80/NQ-CP of 25 May 2020, in force since 1 July 2020, holders of foreign passports can enter and leave Phu Quoc island without a visa and stay up to 30 days. This still applies if you transit through another international border gate in Vietnam on the way to Phu Quoc. The exemption covers Phu Quoc only, not travel to the rest of the country.

Diplomatic and official passports

Vietnam has visa exemption agreements with more than 90 countries, most of them covering holders of diplomatic and official passports, each with its own permitted stay. The country-by-country details are in a separate article.

BNO passports are not exempt

Holders of British National (Overseas) passports, known as BNO passports, are not exempt and must have the appropriate visa to enter Vietnam. The 45-day exemption for UK citizens does not cover this passport.

Everyone else: a visa, usually an e-visa

If your nationality is not on this list, for example ordinary passport holders from China or India, you need a visa before you travel. For tourism, family visits or a short business trip, the usual choice is an e-visa: valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, usually processed in about 3 working days, with a government fee of USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple entry). Visa-exempt travellers who want to stay longer than their exemption allows can also apply for one.

Notes

• Visa-free entry does not allow you to work. Working in Vietnam needs a work permit and the matching visa.
• The permitted stay counts from the date of entry. Staying beyond it is a violation.
• Keep your passport valid for at least 6 months. It is a condition under Resolution 229/NQ-CP and most of the bilateral agreements.
• The unilateral policies have end dates and can change. Check again before every trip.
• Gateway can check your case or file an e-visa for you.