Short answer: right now, citizens of 24 countries – including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands and Switzerland – can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. Everyone else can get an e-visa online for up to 90 days. No embassy visit, no agent needed.
I get this question almost every day on WhatsApp: “Simon, do I need a visa?” Honestly, it’s a lot simpler than it used to be. If you check two things – your passport and this list – you’re pretty much sorted.
Which countries can visit Vietnam visa-free for 45 days?
There are two groups, set by two different government resolutions. The rules are the same for both: tourism only, up to 45 days per entry.
| Group | Countries | Valid until |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution 44/NQ-CP | Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | 14 March 2028 |
| Resolution 229/NQ-CP | Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland | 14 August 2028 |
A handful of other countries, mostly in Southeast Asia, have their own bilateral deals with different lengths of stay. If you’re from an ASEAN country, check the exact number of days before you book a long trip.
What do you need at the border?
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. This is the one that catches people out – check it tonight, not at the check-in desk.
- An onward or return ticket. Officers don’t always ask, but airlines sometimes do before you board.
- Your first hotel address. Handy for the arrival form and for the Grab driver later.
My country isn’t on the list – what now?
Don’t worry, you just need an e-visa. Since August 2023 Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of every country, valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. The government fee starts from USD 25, and processing usually takes a few working days.
My honest tip as a local: only apply on the official Vietnam Immigration portal. There are loads of look-alike websites that charge two or three times the price for the exact same visa. Type your name exactly as it appears in your passport – one wrong letter and you’ll be sorting it out at the airport.
Can I stay longer than 45 days?
If you plan to travel north to south properly – Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa, Hoi An, Saigon, the Mekong – 45 days is plenty for most people. If you want more time, go for the 90-day e-visa from the start instead of trying to extend inside the country. It’s cheaper and much less stressful.
A local guide’s take
Visa-free entry has changed the way our guests travel. People who used to squeeze Vietnam into ten rushed days now stay three, four weeks and actually slow down – a night in a Ha Giang homestay, an extra day in Ninh Binh just to cycle around the rice fields. That’s the Vietnam I love showing people.
Rules can change at short notice. Always double-check with the official Vietnam Immigration website or your nearest Vietnamese embassy before you fly.
FAQ
Is the 45-day visa exemption free?
Yes. There’s no fee and no application – you simply arrive with a valid passport.
Can I leave Vietnam and come back visa-free?
Under the current rules, citizens of these 24 countries can re-enter and get a new 45-day stay. Still, check the latest rules before a “visa run”.
Is the e-visa single or multiple entry?
You choose when you apply. Multiple entry costs a little more but is worth it if you’re popping over to Cambodia or Laos.
Do children need their own e-visa?
Yes, if they’re not on the visa-free list, each traveller needs their own passport and e-visa.
Plan your trip with a local: Now that the visa part is easy, check out our Vietnam from North to South in 12 Days tour, or message our team for a tailor-made itinerary.
