Visa-free entry to Vietnam: who gets in and for how long — 2026

Information current as of 07/2026. Verify the details for your nationality on the official Vietnam immigration portal before you travel.

Who can enter visa-free — and for how long

Vietnam runs several visa-free tracks, and which one you get depends entirely on the passport you hold. There is no single rule for "everyone," so start by finding your country below. Then note your number of days and check the six-month passport-validity rule. This page is about visa-free entry only; for the full menu of visas (e-visa, work, business) and how extensions work, see our Vietnam visa overview.

The 45-day exemption list — 24 countries

Under Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP (effective 15 March 2025), Vietnam unilaterally exempts citizens of 12 countries — the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Japan and South Korea — from visas for up to 45 days, free of charge and with no pre-registration, for tourism, business or a private visit. That scheme runs through 14 March 2028.

On 15 August 2025 Vietnam widened the same 45-day deal to 12 more European countries under a separate tourism-stimulus resolution: Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Luxembourg. That brings the 45-day list to 24 passports, and it holds through 14 August 2028. If you carry one of these, you get the same free 45 days as everyone above.

A short history of the visa-free scheme

For the exempt countries, the visa-free window used to be just 15 days — enough for a beach break, not a proper trip. On 15 August 2023 it tripled to 45 days as Vietnam rebuilt tourism after the pandemic. In 2025 the scheme was renewed to March 2028 and widened to another 12 European countries. Vietnam has extended it consistently, so the odds of it disappearing are low.

ASEAN passports and Phu Quoc

If you carry a Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Filipino or other ASEAN passport, you get 21–30 days visa-free under bilateral agreements — check your exact allowance, as it varies by country. Belarus sits in a similar bracket: not on the 45-day list, but with a bilateral 30-day exemption in force since January 2025.

Separately, Phú Quốc island runs its own 30-day visa-free scheme open to all nationalities. The catch: you must fly directly to Phu Quoc (airport code PQC) and stay on the island — no mainland side-trips. If your passport is already on the 45-day list, the mainland rule covers Phu Quoc anyway, so this only matters for travellers who would otherwise need an e-visa.

Which airports you can enter through

Visa-free entry works at every international crossing — air, sea and land (the Phu Quoc scheme excepted, which is island-only).

• Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN) — Ho Chi Minh City, the country's largest airport
• Nội Bài (HAN) — Hanoi
• Cam Ranh (CXR) — Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), the main resort hub
• Đà Nẵng (DAD) — Da Nang
• Phú Quốc (PQC) — Phu Quoc island

Land crossings (useful for visa runs): Mộc Bài — Cambodia border (~3 hours from HCMC), Lao Bảo — Laos border (~4 hours from Hue), Móng Cái — China border (~3 hours from Ha Long).

Passport requirements for Vietnam

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the date you cross into Vietnam — not on the date you leave home. If less is left, you may be turned away right at boarding.

Minimum validity by travel date

An ordinary passport of any type is accepted — biometric or older. The one non-negotiable is 2 blank pages for the entry and exit stamps.

How the 45 days are counted — step by step

Your arrival day is day one. Not the next day — the day you clear immigration. The stamp in your passport shows the exact date by which you must leave.

Three rules:

1. Trust the date on your stamp — it is the one that counts
2. Count from the stamp date, not from when you bought the ticket
3. Leave on the last day or earlier. Even one day over means a fine

Can you extend the 45 days without leaving?

Short answer — no. Visa-free status cannot be extended inside Vietnam, not through immigration, not through an agency.

If your time is running out and you want to stay, you have two legal routes: apply for an e-visa before day 45 runs out (if you can wait the ~3 working days), or do a visa run — exit to a neighbouring country and re-enter for a fresh stamp.

Checklist: what to sort before you fly

1. Check your passport validity. At least 6 months from the entry date
2. Confirm you have 2 blank pages. One for the entry stamp, one for exit
3. Buy an onward ticket — return or to a third country. Airlines may not board you without one
4. Get travel insurance. An ambulance in Nha Trang runs from 2,000,000 VND (~$80), a clinic visit from 500,000 VND (~$20)
5. Note your address. The arrival card needs your hotel address — in English
6. Check customs limits. Over 2 litres of alcohol or electronics above $300 need a declaration
7. Declare currency if you carry more than $5,000 (or 15,000,000 VND)
8. Get connected. An eSIM bought before you fly (Airalo, Holafly) works the moment you land

Is travel insurance required?

Formally, Vietnam does not require it. But the numbers make the case on their own:

A 45-day policy typically costs $30–90. If you plan to ride a motorbike, make sure the policy covers two-wheeler accidents — many exclude them by default.

At immigration — what happens at the airport

Passport control in Vietnam is easier than it looks. The queue averages 10–20 minutes, and longer in peak season (November–February).

The arrival card

You can pick up the form from the cabin crew or at the desk before immigration. Fill it in English, in block capitals, with a black or blue pen. Some airports have moved to a paperless system — follow the signage.

What to enter:

• Full name (in Latin letters, as in your passport)
• Passport number and date of birth
• Flight number
• Your address in Vietnam (hotel name and city)
• Purpose of visit (tourism / business / other)

After passport control

What to do straight away at the airport:

• Activate your eSIM or buy a SIM — Viettel, Mobifone and Vinaphone counters are in arrivals, from 100,000 VND (~$4) for 30 days of 4G. An eSIM bought before the trip is already live
• Withdraw cash — ATMs are in the arrivals hall. Fee around 30,000–50,000 VND
• Order a taxi — via the Grab app or the official taxi desk. Cam Ranh to Nha Trang runs from 350,000 VND (~$14)

Entering with children — documents and details

A consent letter from the absent parent is not checked by Vietnam, but your departure airline or your home border may ask for it — rules vary by country, so check yours before you fly.

Different surnames between child and parent — carry the birth certificate, or you may be stopped at boarding.

Customs rules — what you can bring in

If 45 days isn't enough — the e-visa

The e-visa lets you stay up to 90 days continuously. It costs $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry, and it is open to almost every nationality — including those not on any visa-free list.

How to apply — 5 steps

1. Go to evisa.gov.vn — the official site only, avoid lookalike agents that overcharge
2. Fill in the form: full name, passport details, travel dates
3. Upload a colour photo on a white background and a scan of your passport bio page
4. Pay by card: $25 (single) or $50 (multiple)
5. Receive the e-visa by email in about 3 working days. Print it and carry the printout

💬 "Applied for the e-visa on the official evisa.gov.vn site, paid by card, and it landed in my inbox in exactly three days. Printed it, showed it at Da Nang, no fuss." — r/VietnamTravel, 2025

Visa runs — how to reset your stay

A visa run means leaving Vietnam for a neighbouring country and re-entering for a fresh stay. It is fully legal, but do not overdo it.

How a visa run works

1. A few days before your 45 days end, book a flight or bus tour
2. Leave Vietnam — get your exit stamp
3. Spend at least one night in the other country
4. Return — get a fresh 45-day stamp (visa-free) or a 90-day stay if you got an e-visa before coming back

Overstay fines — the 2025–2026 rules

Even one day over is a breach of immigration law. From 15 December 2025, Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP doubled the maximum fines.

The fine is issued on departure — right at the airport, at passport control. Payment is cash in VND; cards are not accepted. If you have overstayed by 16 days or more, contact the immigration office before you head to the airport. For the wider picture on extensions, overstay recovery and every visa type, see the Vietnam visa overview.

Fine figures current as of 07/2026 (Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP).

Visa-free or e-visa — which to pick

If you are on the 45-day list and going for 2–3 weeks, visa-free is more than enough — don't pay for a visa you don't need. If your passport isn't exempt, or you want more than 45 days, the e-visa is the simple answer.

Common mistakes at visa-free entry

Mistake 1: assuming everyone gets 45 days. The number depends on your passport — 45 days on the unilateral list, 21–30 on ASEAN, and an e-visa if you are not exempt. Check before you book.

Mistake 2: a passport with under 6 months left. The airline may refuse to board you. Check validity before buying tickets.

Mistake 3: no onward ticket. Airlines at check-in almost always ask. Flying one-way? Buy the cheapest ticket to a neighbouring country.

Mistake 4: miscounting the days. Arrival day = day 1, not day 0. Being one day off means a fine from 500,000 VND (~$20).

Mistake 5: trying to extend visa-free without leaving. It cannot be done. The only options are an e-visa or a visa run.

Mistake 6: assuming the Phu Quoc rule covers the mainland.The 30-day island scheme is island-only — a mainland side-trip breaks it. If you need the mainland and aren't exempt, get an e-visa.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam in 2026?

It depends on your passport. Vietnam gives 45 days visa-free to 24 countries — the original 12 (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Japan, South Korea) plus 12 more European nations added on 15 August 2025 (Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Luxembourg). Most ASEAN passports get 21–30 days. US, Canadian, Australian and NZ travellers get no mainland visa-free entry and need a 90-day e-visa ($25). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?

Up to 45 days if your country is on the unilateral list, counted from the day you arrive — arrival day is day one. The exact departure date is stamped in your passport. You cannot extend the visa-free period inside the country.

What passport do I need to enter Vietnam?

Any valid ordinary passport works, biometric or not. It must be valid for at least 6 months on your entry date, with at least 2 blank pages for stamps.

Do I need a return ticket to enter Vietnam?

It is recommended. Vietnamese immigration checks selectively, but your airline at check-in may refuse to board you without proof of onward travel. Flying one-way? Buy a cheap ticket to a neighbouring country.

Can I re-enter Vietnam visa-free again?

Yes, visa-free entry can be used multiple times. For a smooth quick re-entry, get an e-visa ($25) — it guarantees 90 days with no questions at the border.

Is Phu Quoc still 30 days visa-free for everyone?

Yes — Phu Quoc has a separate 30-day scheme open to all nationalities, provided you fly straight to the island (PQC) and stay off the mainland. If your passport is on the 45-day list, the mainland rule already covers Phu Quoc.

What happens if I overstay my visa-free period?

Even one day over is a violation. Overstays of 1–15 days draw a fine from 500,000 VND (~$20), usually issued at the airport and paid in cash. Overstays of 16 days or more can mean deportation and an entry ban. Don't leave it late.

Data current as of July 2026. Prices and rules can change — verify on the official sources for your nationality before you travel.