Coming to Vietnam: visas and entry for visitors

Entering Vietnam used to mean paperwork and an embassy visit. Not any more. For most visitors today it's either a stamp on arrival or an e-visa sorted online in a few days. The route you take depends on one thing: which passport you hold.

Three ways into Vietnam

Almost everyone arrives one of three ways:

Visa-free, if your country is on Vietnam's exemption list.
On the e-visa, which is open to citizens of every country.
Visa-free to Phú Quốc island, under its own special rule.

Here's how each one works.

Visa-free: the 45-day exemption

Vietnam waives the visa entirely for citizens of a number of countries — currently for stays of up to 45 days. Under the government resolution in force (running to March 2028), that includes:

The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain
Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland
Japan, South Korea and Russia

If you hold one of these passports, there's nothing to apply for in advance. You arrive, show a passport valid for at least six months, and you're given up to 45 days. Citizens of neighbouring ASEAN countries — Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines and others — are also visa-free, though usually for a shorter window.

The exemption list and the number of days have changed several times in the last couple of years, and the rules on leaving and re-entering aren't identical for everyone. Always confirm your exact allowance — and whether you can re-enter on the same exemption — before you book.

Everyone else: the 90-day e-visa

If your country isn't on the exemption list, or you simply want to stay longer than the visa-free window, Vietnam's e-visa is open to citizens of every country. It has been since 2023, and it's straightforward:

Single or multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days.
Around US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry.
Usually issued within about three working days — though it's sensible to apply a week or two ahead.

Apply only through the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn. There are many look-alike websites that charge a mark-up for exactly the same thing. Once approved, save or print your e-visa to show on arrival.

Flying to Phú Quốc? You may not need a visa at all

Vietnam's largest island, Phú Quốc, has its own rule. Travellers who fly in directly (or arrive by sea) can stay visa-free for up to 30 days, even if they would otherwise need a visa for the mainland. The catch: it only covers Phú Quốc itself — if you continue to the rest of Vietnam, the normal visa rules apply.

Before you fly: the checklist

A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry, with a couple of blank pages.
Your e-visa approved and saved (if you need one), or confirmation that your country is exempt.
The Digital Arrival Card — now required at Vietnam's main international airports. Fill it in online shortly before you travel.
Onward or return travel and somewhere to stay booked — occasionally checked on arrival.

Making it easy

For most visitors the paperwork really is light — a 45-day stamp on arrival, or an e-visa handled online in a few days. If you'd rather not think about any of it, that's our job: we build Vietnam trips for visitors end to end, and we'll point you to the right entry route for your passport as part of the plan. Tell us when you're coming and we'll take it from there — or search flights and hotels to start.