Which Countries Are Exempt from Vietnam Visa?
Visa exemption is a government policy that allows foreigners to enter Vietnam for a specific time without a pre-applied visa. The validity of visa-waiver travel ranges from 14 to 90 days, depending on the agreement/ decision of the government. For example, Thai passport holders are exempted from a Vietnam visa for 30 days, while Japanese citizens can enter and stay in Vietnam for 45 days without applying for a visa in advance.
The visa-free policy is applied for traveling, visiting relatives, or short-term business purposes only. Those who are not exempted or travel to Vietnam for other purposes like working, investing, or studying must apply for a regular visa at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate, e-visa, or visa on arrival.
As of 2025, there are 29 countries exempt from a Vietnam visa, based on both unilateral and bilateral visa exemptions and accompanying conditions.
Updated news about Vietnam visa-free policy
- Resolution 44/NQ-CP: Vietnam waives visas for citizens of 12 countries with a stay of 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry. The resolution is effective from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028.
- Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP: Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Poland passport holders joining programs organized by Vietnamese international travel agents are exempted from a Vietnam visa according to the Tourism Stimulus Program 2025. The resolution is applied from March 1 to December 31, 2025, regardless of passport type, with a validity of 45 days.
- Belarus: Citizens with ordinary passports are exempt from Vietnam visas for 30 days for each entry according to a mutual visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Belarus, effective from January 30, 2025.
List of 29 countries exempt from Vietnam visa
| No. | Country (A-Z) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belarus | 30 days | Bilaterally, total stay not exceeding 90 days in 1 year |
| 2 | Brunei | 14 days | Bilaterally |
| 3 | Cambodia | 30 days | Bilaterally |
| 4 | Chile | 90 days | Bilaterally, not for income generating activities |
| 5 | Czech Republic | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 6 | Denmark | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 7 | Finland | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 8 | France | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 9 | Germany | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 10 | Indonesia | 30 days | Bilaterally |
| 11 | Italy | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 12 | Japan | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 13 | Kazakhstan | 30 days | Bilaterally, total stay not exceeding 90 days in every 180 days |
| 14 | Kyrgyzstan | 30 days | Bilaterally |
| 15 | Laos | 30 days | Bilaterally |
| 16 | Malaysia | 30 days | Bilaterally. For purpose: Traveling, press & media activities, conference, seminars, visiting relatives, business negotiation, investment, sport activities |
| 17 | Myanmar | 14 days | Bilaterally |
| 18 | Norway | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 19 | Panama | 90 days | Bilaterally, not for income generating activities |
| 20 | Philippines | 21 days | Bilaterally |
| 21 | Poland | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 22 | Russia | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 23 | Singapore | 30 days | Bilaterally, not for income generating activities |
| 24 | South Korea | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 25 | Spain | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 26 | Sweden | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 27 | Switzerland | 45 days | Unilaterally |
| 28 | Thailand | 30 days | Bilaterally |
| 29 | United Kingdom | 45 days | Unilaterally |
Visa free conditions
Visa-free does not mean that foreigners can freely enter and exit Vietnam. There are still obligatory conditions specified in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam that foreigners must comply with, including:
- Having a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of entry and at least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- Have a return ticket/onward ticket to a third country or equivalent documents (if entering Vietnam by land or sea) to prove their exit before their visa-free stay expires.
- Not be subject to a ban on entering Vietnam according to the provisions of law.
- Having a reasonable purpose of entry as regulated in the visa waiver policy (including tourism, visiting relatives, and short-term business).
- Not violating the previous visa-free stay period.
Applying for Vietnam visa if not visa exempt
Regular visa at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate
This is the most common visa type applied to foreigners of all nationalities across the world, with varied purposes. Foreigners who need to apply for a visa with a long-term stay (3 - 12 months) and for special purposes such as work, business, investment, trade, long-term study,... often use a regular visa.
To apply for a regular visa, foreigners need to follow these steps:
- Prepare documents according to the requirements for each specific type of visa (DT, LD, DL, TT, DH,...).
- Apply directly at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in the country of residence.
- Pay a fee depending on the visa type and the regulations of each country.
- Wait for the result within 5 - 7 working days.
- Receive the visa stamped in the passport at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate.
Vietnam e-visa
E-visa is a type of visa processed and issued by the Vietnam Government through an electronic system, applied for citizens of 80 countries when entering Vietnam by one of 42 border gates (international airports, seaports, or land ports).
Foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism, short-term business, or visiting relatives can apply for an e-visa with a validity of up to 90 days, single or multiple entries. E-visa cannot be used to work, study, research, intern, or settle permanently.
To apply for an e-visa, foreigners need to perform the following steps:
- Preparation: A passport with 6 months’ validity, a photo of full passport data page, a portrait photo, ports of entry and exit, date of entry/exit, a temporary residential address in Vietnam, a valid email address, and a valid card for payment.
- Access the E-visa official website at evisa.gov.vn.
- Fill up all the required information and receive a registration code.
- Pay e-visa fee (USD25 for single entry and USD50 for multiple entries).
- Wait for the processing time of 3 - 5 working days.
- Access the website to check the result by entering registration code, registration email, and date of birth at the E-visa search menu. If the application is approved, receive the e-visa in a PDF file.
- Print E-visa from the system for use at the border gate.
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival (VOA), also called Landing visa, is a visa type issued for foreigners at one of Vietnam's international airports. Foreigners must apply for a visa approval letter (visa invitation letter) via a local agency in Vietnam and get a visa stamp on the passport upon arrival at the airport to enter Vietnam. VOA is available for all citizens in the world if they enter Vietnam by air.
To apply for a landing visa, here is the procedure you need to follow:
- Apply for a visa invitation letter through a Vietnam visa agency (ordinary time: 2 - 5 working days, urgent: 2 - 4 working hours).
- Receive a visa invitation letter and a visa application form (NA1) by email. Print a hard copy of both documents. Fill up all the information in the visa application form.
- Prepare 2 passport-sized photos (4x6), a passport with at least 6 months validity, and a stamping fee in cash (USD25 - 50).
- At the airport's immigration counter, present all documents, visa form, passport, photos. Pay the stamping fee to get a visa stamp on the passport.
FAQs
Can the visa exemption be extended?
Visa exemption cannot be extended. Foreigners must exit and return to Vietnam if they want to continue their visa waiver.
How long is the period between 2 entries under a visa waiver?
The requirement for the period between 2 entries has recently been removed. Foreigners can come back to Vietnam if they are eligible for visa-free (having a valid passport, not banned from entering Vietnam, reasonable purposes, etc)
I am a Vietnamese residing abroad. Am I visa waived?
Overseas Vietnamese can apply for a 5-year visa exemption certificate and stay up to 180 days in Vietnam with multiple entries.
Which country in the Vietnam visa exemption list has the longest stay?
Panama and Chile are 2 countries exempted from Vietnam visa with the longest stay of 90 days.
Is the visa-free list subject to change?
Yes. The exemption policy is subject to change. Foreigners should update accurate information before entering the country.
Can I use a visa waiver to work?
No. The visa waiver policy is only applicable for tourism, visiting relatives, and short term business. To work in Vietnam, you need to apply for a work visa and a work permit.
I am exempt from a Vietnam visa, what if I want to stay longer?
The visa free duration is fixed for each country, according to Vietnamese law. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a suitable visa to enter Vietnam.
Is it compulsory to exit Vietnam after the visa exemption period expires?
Yes, you are required to exit Vietnam within the visa exemption period. Overstaying will be considered to violate Vietnam's exit laws and may be subject to fines, deportation, and a ban on future entry into Vietnam.
