Before embarking on a journey to Vietnam and exploring its wonders, it is essential to inform yourself about entry requirements. The country, rich in traditions and contrasts, captivates with its culture and landscapes, yet access remains subject to precise regulations. Understanding the conditions for entry and visa procedures is therefore vital to travel smoothly to this fascinating Southeast Asian destination.

Vietnam has implemented an expanded visa exemption policy as of 2025 to facilitate tourist stays. Between 15 March 2025 and 14 March 2028, nationals of 12 countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, South Korea, and Japan) can stay up to 45 days without a visa.

As of 15 August 2025, 12 additional countries join this list: Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Thus, these European and Asian countries will benefit from a 45-day exemption until 2028.

To take advantage of this, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure, and you must present a departure ticket from the territory. Any extension beyond 45 days requires an e-visa. In case of overstaying the authorized duration, a fine of 25 USD per day is applied.

Special Cases

Furthermore, a few special cases are worth noting:

• Citizens of Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic are exempt from visas for 45 days if they travel as part of an organized tour by a Vietnamese agency (from 1 March to 31 December 2025).
• Specific agreements also allow entry without a visa:
  • 90 days for Chile and Panama
  • 30 days for most Southeast Asian countries
  • 21 days for the Philippines
  • 14 days for Brunei and Myanmar.
• A 30-day exemption applies to all travelers heading directly to Phu Quoc Island.

Long-Term Special Exemptions

Vietnam grants a 5-year visa exemption card to Vietnamese nationals residing abroad, as well as to their spouses and children. This document allows stays of up to 180 days maximum per visit, renewable for up to 6 months without leaving the country.

Another card, the Visa Waiver Card (valid for 5 years from August 2025), is awarded to investors, experts, or artists contributing to Vietnam's development.

Holders of an APEC card (business travel) are also exempt from visas for 60 days.

Accessible to all nationalities, the Vietnamese e-visa is today the fastest and most convenient method to enter the country, particularly for tourist or business stays of less than 90 days. Entirely digital, it is obtained online through official portals:

• gov.vn (new site)
• xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (old site still active).

This system avoids embassy procedures and allows you to receive your authorization by email, to be printed before departure.

Duration, Types, and Cost

In accordance with Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP, the e-visa authorizes a stay of up to 90 days, with single or multiple entries:

• Single entry: 25 USD
• Multiple entries: 50 USD.

These fees, paid online, are non-refundable. The visa is neither extendable nor renewable in country. Any extension must be done through the immigration service before expiration.

Required Conditions

To submit an application, you must provide:

• A valid passport at least 6 months after arrival (with 2 blank pages)
• An identity photo 4x6 cm (white background, without glasses) and a scan of the passport's data page (.jpg or .jpeg, <2 MB)
• A departure ticket from the territory
• A temporary address in Vietnam (hotel, accommodation)
• An international bank card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex)
• A valid email address and the planned entry/exit dates.

Steps for Online Application

1. Access the official site and select "E-visa for foreigners".
2. Upload your photos (identity and passport) and complete the form.
3. Validate and pay the fees (displayed in USD/VND) by bank card.
4. Receive your registration code, essential for tracking your application.
5. Download your e-visa once approved (within 3 to 5 business days, sometimes up to 10).

Print the document and present it to the authorities upon arrival.

Visa Request Through an Approved Agency

Vietnamese agencies recognized by the State can carry out the procedure on your behalf. They benefit from priority processing, limiting delays or last-minute rejections, which are frequent for individual applications to embassies.

For certain travelers, particularly those planning a long-term stay, multiple entries, or whose nationality is not eligible for an e-visa, it is necessary to go through a traditional visa. This is obtained from the Vietnam embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or through an approved service provider.

The application generally requires a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned departure date, two (2) identity photos, an application form (often the NA1 form), and, depending on the case, a letter of invitation or guarantee. Processing times vary from a few days to several weeks depending on the country, but you should count on average 7 to 10 business days, or 3 days for expedited processing. Fees depend on the type of visa (single or multiple entry) and the length of stay.

Beyond tourist and electronic visas, Vietnam offers other types of visas tailored to specific needs, whether for work, transit, or extended stays. These categories address particular situations and sometimes require distinct procedures with the competent authorities.

A work visa is issued only after obtaining a work permit from the Vietnamese employer. Certain categories of people, such as investors, business managers, members of non-governmental organizations, or spouses of Vietnamese citizens, may, however, be exempt from this requirement.

A transit visa is required only if your itinerary includes a domestic stopover in Vietnam before your international connecting flight.

A multiple-entry visa authorizes the traveler to enter and exit the country several times during its validity period, which can be 30 or 90 days depending on the type chosen.

It is important to strictly respect the validity period of your visa or exemption from stay in Vietnam, to avoid sanctions. In certain cases, however, it is possible to extend or renew your right of stay depending on your situation.

Visa extension is possible for an e-visa, provided you go through an approved agency that will handle the procedures with the immigration service. However, this extension is not possible for a 45-day exemption, which cannot be extended in country.

The most common solution to extend your stay is to temporarily leave the country (to Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand) and then return to Vietnam. This practice, called a "visa run," allows you to obtain a new authorized stay period.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that visa extension in country is possible at immigration offices located in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City, allowing you to extend your stay without leaving the territory.

Furthermore, in case of overstaying the legal duration, a fine of 25 USD per day is applied. If the delay exceeds one month, sanctions can exceed 400 USD and result in placement on the Vietnamese immigration blacklist, complicating future entries into the country.

Before traveling to Vietnam, it is essential to prepare your administrative procedures carefully to avoid any complications upon arrival. Start by verifying your nationality, the planned duration of your stay, and whether you need an e-visa or traditional visa. Upon arrival, present your documents and make sure the entry stamp affixed to your passport corresponds to the authorized duration.