Vietnam Visa Guide 2026: Exact Visa Requirements, E-Visa Application, Visa-Free Entry and Practical Travel Information
Planning a trip to Vietnam is much easier when you understand the visa rules before booking flights and hotels. The key question is not simply “Do I need a Vietnam visa?” but which passport are you traveling with, how many days will you stay, will you enter Vietnam once or several times, and where will you enter the country? Vietnam currently offers several visa-exemption arrangements and a broad electronic visa system. For travelers who need a visa, the official Vietnam e-visa can be issued for up to 90 days, with either single or multiple entry. The official fee is USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry, and the fee is non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
Do You Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Your passport nationality determines whether you need a visa. Vietnam has bilateral visa-exemption agreements with many countries, as well as unilateral visa-exemption policies covering specific nationalities. For ordinary international tourists, the most important current exemptions include the 12 countries covered by Vietnam’s 45-day unilateral exemption and another 12 European countries covered by the tourism development stimulus program. Travelers who are not covered by an applicable exemption can generally consider the Vietnam e-visa system.
Do not use another traveler’s experience as proof that you are visa-free. For example, a British passport holder and an Australian passport holder traveling together may have completely different visa requirements. The same applies to family members who hold different nationalities.
Vietnam 45-Day Visa Exemption
Vietnam currently grants citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days from the date of entry. This policy is currently effective from March 15, 2025 through March 14, 2028, provided the traveler meets the applicable entry conditions. The passport must have at least six months of validity from the date of entry.
For example, if an eligible British citizen enters Vietnam on September 1, the 45-day period is counted from the date of entry. The traveler does not need to apply for a tourist e-visa for that visa-exempt stay, assuming all other entry requirements are satisfied.
An important detail for British travelers is that British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are not covered by this particular 45-day exemption and need an appropriate visa.
12 More European Countries With 45-Day Visa-Free Travel
Vietnam also introduced a separate 45-day visa exemption under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program for citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. This policy applies from August 15, 2025 through August 14, 2028, for tourism purposes, provided the traveler meets the required entry conditions, including having a passport valid for at least six months.
This means that a traveler from Switzerland, for example, may currently be able to visit Vietnam for up to 45 days without obtaining an e-visa when traveling under the conditions of this exemption.
Vietnam E-Visa: The Most Practical Option for Many Travelers
For travelers who are not eligible for visa exemption, Vietnam’s e-visa is often the simplest option. The official system is operated by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security. Applicants must be outside Vietnam when applying, hold a valid passport or international travel document, complete the application accurately and pay the electronic visa fee. The official e-visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days and can allow either single or multiple entries.
The official website is:
Vietnam National Electronic Visa System
When applying, use the official government website rather than assuming that the first website appearing in a Google search is the government application portal. Many private visa companies provide application assistance, but their prices can include additional service fees on top of the official government visa fee.
How Much Does a Vietnam E-Visa Cost?
The official Vietnam e-visa fee is currently USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa. The official system states that the payment is non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
This is useful when comparing visa websites. If an agency quotes you USD 40, USD 60 or another amount, that does not necessarily mean the government visa fee has changed. The additional amount may be the company’s processing or assistance fee. If you apply yourself through the official system, you should expect the official government fee rather than an agency service charge.
Single-Entry vs Multiple-Entry Vietnam Visa
Choosing between single entry and multiple entry depends on whether you will leave Vietnam during your trip.
For example, Sydney → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Sydney involves one entry into Vietnam. You can fly from Hanoi to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City without needing another visa because you remain inside Vietnam.
However, consider this itinerary: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ho Chi Minh City → Cambodia → Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok. You leave Vietnam for Cambodia and then return to Vietnam. That creates a second Vietnam entry. If you require a visa, you should make sure your visa allows multiple entries.
This distinction is one of the most important things to check before submitting your application.
How Long Can a Vietnam E-Visa Last?
Vietnam’s official e-visa system states that an e-visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days, either for single or multiple entries.
However, “up to 90 days” does not mean every applicant automatically receives exactly 90 days. The actual validity dates are shown on the issued e-visa. Always check the valid from and valid until dates on the document you receive.
If you are planning a 60-day or 80-day trip, do not simply assume your visa will cover those dates. Check the approved visa itself before finalizing the rest of your international travel arrangements.
What Information Do You Need to Apply?
Prepare the passport you will actually use to enter Vietnam before starting the application. You will need accurate personal and passport information, including your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport dates and other information requested by the application form. You will also need the required digital passport photograph and passport information-page image.
The safest method is to keep your physical passport open beside you while completing the application. Do not copy an old passport number from a previous Vietnam trip, airline booking or hotel reservation.
Your Passport Number Must Be Correct
A passport number is not a detail that should be guessed or copied from memory. Enter the number exactly as shown in the passport that you will use for the journey.
If you have renewed your passport since your last Vietnam trip, use the new passport information. An e-visa connected to an old passport should not simply be assumed to transfer to a newly issued passport.
Your Full Name Must Match Your Passport
Name errors are another practical problem. Enter your name according to the passport rather than the way you normally write your name on social media, hotel bookings or domestic forms.
If your passport contains several given names, do not casually remove one because it seems unnecessary. Before paying, review every field carefully, particularly full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number.
Vietnam E-Visa Entry Ports
An e-visa does not mean that you can enter Vietnam through any location you choose. Travelers using e-visas must enter and exit through international border gates designated by the Vietnamese Government.
This matters for three types of travelers: people arriving by international flight, people crossing Vietnam’s land borders and cruise passengers arriving by sea.
For air travelers, major international gateways include Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Da Nang International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers should select and verify the appropriate entry point according to their actual itinerary.
Vietnam Visa When Arriving in Hanoi
If your international flight lands at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi is your first Vietnam entry point. This is particularly convenient for travelers following a Northern Vietnam itinerary before continuing south.
A typical premium itinerary might be Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hanoi → Central Vietnam → Ho Chi Minh City. The domestic flights within Vietnam do not create new immigration entries because you are not leaving the country.
Vietnam Visa When Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City
Travelers flying from Australia, the United States, Europe, Singapore, Thailand or other international destinations may enter through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. If Ho Chi Minh City is your first Vietnam destination, the international entry point should correspond to your actual flight itinerary.
After immigration, you can continue by domestic flight to destinations such as Da Nang, Hue or Phu Quoc without requiring a new Vietnam visa for each domestic journey.
Vietnam Visa When Arriving in Da Nang
Da Nang International Airport is another important international gateway. It is especially useful for travelers whose itinerary focuses on Central Vietnam, including Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue.
If your international flight is Singapore → Da Nang, then Da Nang is your Vietnam entry point. If you instead fly Bangkok → Hanoi → Da Nang, Hanoi is the international entry point and the Hanoi → Da Nang flight is domestic.
Vietnam Visa by Land From Cambodia
Travelers crossing from Cambodia into Vietnam need to identify the exact land border they will use. One of the most important crossings for travelers heading toward Ho Chi Minh City is Moc Bai.
Do not simply write “Cambodia border” when planning your visa. Confirm the exact crossing with your transportation provider and make sure it is a designated border gate for your visa type.
Vietnam Visa by Land From Laos
Travelers coming from Laos should similarly identify the actual border crossing. Popular overland routes can involve crossings such as Lao Bao or other designated international border gates.
This is particularly important when using a private vehicle because the driver may use a specific border crossing based on the route. The border name should be confirmed before the visa application is submitted.
Vietnam Visa by Land From China
Travelers entering Vietnam from China can cross by land through designated international border gates or arrive by air. If you are traveling overland, confirm the exact border gate rather than relying on a general statement such as “China–Vietnam border.”
This is especially important for travelers following a route such as China → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Central Vietnam, because the immigration requirements and transportation arrangements need to match the actual crossing.
Vietnam Visa for Cruise Passengers
Cruise passengers should check their exact port of arrival because e-visas are subject to designated entry ports. A cruise itinerary may show “Vietnam” on the schedule while the actual immigration port is a specific seaport.
If your cruise visits multiple Vietnamese ports, check whether you are formally entering Vietnam at the first port and how the cruise company handles immigration. Do not use an airport entry point simply because you are flying into Vietnam later in the trip.
Vietnam Visa for Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc has a specific visa-exemption policy that can allow foreign passport holders entering from abroad to stay on the island for up to 30 days without a visa, subject to the applicable conditions. The exemption can also apply in certain transit situations through an international border gate before continuing to Phu Quoc.
The important point is that Phu Quoc’s 30-day exemption should not automatically be treated as a visa exemption for the rest of Vietnam.
For example, Bangkok → Phu Quoc → Hanoi is different from Bangkok → Hanoi → Phu Quoc. If you are planning to visit Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City as well as Phu Quoc, check the immigration requirements for the entire itinerary.
Vietnam Visa for Australian Travelers
Australian passport holders should check their current visa requirement rather than assuming that they receive the same 45-day exemption as British, French, German, Japanese or South Korean citizens.
For many Australian travelers, the e-visa is the practical option. If you are planning Australia → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Australia, you should check your e-visa requirement before purchasing non-refundable international flights.
Vietnam Visa for American Travelers
U.S. passport holders should also check the current requirements specifically for U.S. passports. If an e-visa is required, the traveler should apply using the passport that will be presented at Vietnamese immigration.
For a standard one-entry vacation, such as Los Angeles → Hanoi → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City → Los Angeles, a single-entry e-visa may be sufficient if the traveler is not covered by another exemption. If Cambodia or another country is inserted into the middle of the itinerary, multiple entry may become relevant.
Vietnam Visa for Canadian Travelers
Canadian travelers should check the visa requirement applicable to Canadian passports before traveling. A Canadian couple may travel with a British couple, but the two couples may not have identical entry requirements.
This is why tour operators should collect each guest’s passport nationality individually rather than telling an entire group “you do not need a visa.”
Vietnam Visa for Indian Travelers
Indian passport holders should check the current e-visa requirements before booking a Vietnam holiday. When applying, carefully check the passport number, name, date of birth and entry point.
For a first Vietnam trip such as Delhi → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang/Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City, one Vietnam entry may be all that is required if the traveler does not leave Vietnam during the trip.
Vietnam Visa for UK Travelers
British citizens are currently included in Vietnam’s 45-day visa-exemption policy. The exemption is available for stays of up to 45 days from entry and is currently scheduled under the policy through March 14, 2028.
However, travelers should distinguish an ordinary UK passport from a British National Overseas passport because BNO holders are specifically excluded from this particular exemption.
Vietnam Visa for European Travelers
European passport holders should not assume that “Europe” has one single visa rule. Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries currently covered by the 45-day unilateral exemption. Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland are covered by the separate 45-day tourism stimulus exemption. Other European nationalities may have different arrangements.
The correct approach is to check the exact country printed on the passport, not simply the traveler’s residence country.
Vietnam Visa for Families
Every traveler should be checked separately. Parents should not assume that their children automatically have the same visa status if the children hold different passports.
Before departure, create one simple document containing each family member’s full passport name, nationality, passport number, visa status, visa validity and Vietnam entry point. This makes it much easier to identify a missing visa or incorrect document before reaching the airport.
Vietnam Visa for Couples
Couples should also check their passports individually. A British traveler may be visa-exempt for up to 45 days while an Australian partner may need an e-visa. They can still travel together on exactly the same itinerary, but their immigration preparation will be different.
This is particularly important for international couples who have different nationalities but share one booking.
Vietnam Visa for Children
A child’s immigration requirements depend on the passport the child uses. If the child has a separate passport, check the visa requirement based on that passport.
Families should also make sure the child’s passport is valid for the journey and that the name used for the airline reservation corresponds appropriately with the travel document.
Vietnam Visa and Long Trips
The maximum 90-day e-visa validity makes Vietnam suitable for travelers planning much longer journeys than the traditional one- or two-week holiday. However, you should not confuse maximum possible validity with the actual validity granted on your document.
If your trip is 70 or 80 days, check the exact approved dates. If your itinerary involves leaving Vietnam and returning, choose the appropriate entry type from the beginning.
Vietnam Visa and Multi-Country Trips
This is where many otherwise well-prepared travelers make mistakes.
Consider these two itineraries:
Itinerary A: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok. This involves one Vietnam entry.
Itinerary B: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ho Chi Minh City → Cambodia → Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok. This involves two Vietnam entries.
If you need a visa, the second itinerary requires much more attention to entry conditions because leaving Vietnam changes the immigration situation.
What to Check Before Paying for Your Visa
Before submitting your application, check your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date, intended entry date, intended exit date, entry port and number of entries. Do not rush through the form simply because it is online.
After receiving your e-visa, compare the approved document against your passport. If you find a significant error, resolve it before flying rather than hoping immigration will correct it at the airport.
Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes
The most expensive mistakes are usually simple ones: applying with an old passport, entering the wrong passport number, selecting the wrong entry point, misunderstanding single versus multiple entry, confusing visa exemption with e-visa, assuming a 90-day visa is automatically issued for 90 days, and waiting until the day before departure to check the application.
Another common mistake is paying an unofficial website without realizing that it is an agency. If you want to apply independently, start with the official government e-visa system.
Vietnam Visa Checklist
Before your flight, check these items in order: passport nationality; passport validity; visa exemption status; e-visa requirement; visa start date; visa expiry date; single or multiple entry; full name; passport number; date of birth; entry port; international flight date; and whether you will leave and re-enter Vietnam during the trip.
This checklist is much more useful than simply asking whether “Vietnam requires a visa.”
Vietnam Visa and Your Travel Itinerary
Your visa should be planned together with your route. If you are visiting Vietnam for 10–14 days and staying entirely inside the country, immigration planning is relatively straightforward. If you are traveling for 30–90 days, crossing land borders, taking a cruise, visiting Phu Quoc, or combining Vietnam with Cambodia, Laos or Thailand, the visa question needs to be considered alongside the transportation plan.
For a premium private journey, a practical route can start in Hanoi, continue to Ha Long Bay, fly to Central Vietnam, explore Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue by private transportation, then fly to Ho Chi Minh City and continue to the Mekong Delta. Domestic flights do not create additional Vietnam immigration entries.
Official Vietnam E-Visa Website
For travelers applying independently, use the official National Electronic Visa system:
Vietnam National Electronic Visa System
The official system confirms that e-visas can be valid for up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry, and currently lists the government fee as USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry.
For visa-exemption information, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the current country-specific arrangements and conditions.
Vietnam Visa Assistance With Vietnam Women Travel
Vietnam Women Travel – Premium Private Tours Led by Women can help international travelers organize a complete private Vietnam itinerary beginning in Hanoi, including airport transfers, hotels, private transportation, domestic flights, sightseeing and carefully planned day-to-day travel. For travelers who need an e-visa, we can also help you understand where visa planning fits into your itinerary, particularly when the trip involves multiple destinations or a combination of Vietnam with Cambodia, Laos or Thailand. Immigration approval itself remains subject to Vietnamese authorities, so travelers should always verify their final visa status and documents before departure.
A well-planned Vietnam trip should begin before you board the aircraft. Confirm your passport, determine whether you are visa-exempt, apply for an e-visa when required, check the exact validity dates, confirm your entry port and make sure your visa matches the number of times you will enter Vietnam. Once those details are correct, the rest of your Vietnam itinerary becomes much easier to organize.
Vietnam Women Travel – Premium Private Tours Led by Women
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