Vietnam visa-free for 12 European countries: 45 days for tourism

Citizens of 12 European countries, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland, can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay for up to 45 days from the date of entry, as long as the trip is for tourism. The exemption comes from the Government's Resolution 229/NQ-CP of 8 August 2025 under the Tourism Stimulus Program. It applies from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028, whatever type of passport you hold.

Which countries are covered

• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Switzerland

What the exemption allows

Vietnam grants this exemption unilaterally. Citizens of these countries may stay for up to 45 days, counted from the date of entry on the arrival stamp, for tourism. It applies to every passport type: ordinary, official and diplomatic passports all qualify.

The two conditions

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• You must not fall into a case of entry refusal under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

How long the policy runs

The exemption is in force from 15 August 2025 until 14 August 2028. Resolution 229/NQ-CP replaced the earlier conditional programme for Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland (Resolution 11/NQ-CP). Citizens of those three countries now follow the same 45-day rule as the other nine.

What it does not cover

The exemption under Resolution 229/NQ-CP is for tourism only. You need the matching visa if you are:

• Travelling on business, meeting partners or working with companies in Vietnam.
• Coming to work. This needs a work permit and the matching work visa; visa-free entry never allows work.
• Visiting family, or coming for any other purpose than tourism.
• Staying longer than 45 days.

For a short trip, an e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, and is usually issued in 3 working days. The government fee is USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry.

Diplomatic and official passports: bilateral agreements

Separately from the tourism programme, Vietnam has bilateral visa exemption agreements with several of these countries for diplomatic or official passports, each with its own permitted stay. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list:

• Bulgaria: diplomatic and official passports, 90 days within a 180-day period from the date of entry.
• Croatia: diplomatic and official passports, 30 days.
• Czech Republic: diplomatic passports, 90 days.
• Hungary: diplomatic and official passports, 90 days.
• Poland: diplomatic passports, 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Romania: diplomatic and official passports, 30 days.
• Slovakia: diplomatic passports, 90 days.
• Slovenia: diplomatic and official passports, 3 months within a 6-month period from the date of entry.
• Switzerland: diplomatic passports, 90 days.

How it differs from Resolution 44/NQ-CP

Resolution 44/NQ-CP covers a different group of 12 countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Japan. Their citizens also get 45 days, but for any purpose of entry. Resolution 229/NQ-CP, by contrast, covers tourism only.

Notes

• These policies have end dates and can change. As of October 2026 no newer resolution has changed this list, but check before you travel.
• Check your passport expiry before booking. A passport with less than 6 months left can lead to refused entry.
• The 45 days run from the date of entry, so book your onward or return flight within that window.
• If your trip mixes tourism with business, apply for the matching visa from the start.
• The bilateral agreement details come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption list, updated to 8 September 2025.

Gateway can check your case or file an e-visa for you.