Visa Exemption · Vietnam
Vietnam Visa Exemption: Visa-Free Countries
Citizens of around 39 countries can enter Vietnam without a visa, for stays of 14 to 90 days depending on nationality. No application, no fee, just a valid passport at the border. If your country is not on the list, or you are staying longer, an e-visa covers up to 90 days.
~39 countries (2026)14 to 90 daysOrdinary passportsNo application
Overview
What is Vietnam visa exemption?
Vietnam waives the visa for ordinary-passport holders of certain countries, who can enter and stay for a set period without applying for anything in advance. The stay runs from 14 to 90 days depending on nationality, counted from the date you enter. You show a valid passport at the border, and that is the whole process.
This is separate from the e-visa. Exemption depends on your nationality; the e-visa is open to everyone and runs up to 90 days. If you are exempt and your trip fits the allowance, you do not need either an e-visa or any application.
Check the current policy before you book. Visa-exemption lists and stay limits change often, and several of the current arrangements run on resolutions that expire in 2028. Treat the figures here as a guide as of 2026, and confirm your nationality and stay limit against an official source close to travel.
The list
Vietnam visa-free countries and how long you can stay
At a glance: most of Europe, plus Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Belarus, get 45 days. Most ASEAN neighbors and a few others get 30. The Philippines gets 21, Brunei and Myanmar 14, and Chile and Panama the longest at 90.
| Country | Maximum stay |
|---|---|
| Belarus | 45 days |
| Belgium | 45 days |
| Brunei | 14 days |
| Bulgaria | 45 days |
| Cambodia | 30 days |
| Chile | 90 days |
| Croatia | 45 days |
| Czech Republic | 45 days |
| Denmark | 45 days |
| Finland | 45 days |
| France | 45 days |
| Germany | 45 days |
| Hungary | 45 days |
| Indonesia | 30 days |
| Italy | 45 days |
| Japan | 45 days |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 30 days |
| Laos | 30 days |
| Luxembourg | 45 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Mongolia | 30 days |
| Myanmar | 14 days |
| Netherlands | 45 days |
| Norway | 45 days |
| Panama | 90 days |
| Philippines | 21 days |
| Poland | 45 days |
| Romania | 45 days |
| Russia | 45 days |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| Slovakia | 45 days |
| Slovenia | 45 days |
| South Korea | 45 days |
| Spain | 45 days |
| Sweden | 45 days |
| Switzerland | 45 days |
| Thailand | 30 days |
| United Kingdom | 45 days |
Stays are per entry, counted from the date you enter. The 30-day gap that used to apply between two visa-free visits was removed in 2020, so you can exit and re-enter without waiting.
Entry conditions
Conditions for visa-free entry to Vietnam
To enter under an exemption, you need to meet a few standard conditions:
- An ordinary passport valid for at least six months from your entry date, with a blank page for the stamp.
- You are not subject to an entry ban or other restriction.
- Proof of onward travel and accommodation, which can be checked at the border or at airline check-in.
One exception worth flagging: holders of British National (Overseas), or BNO, passports do not qualify for the United Kingdom exemption and need a visa or e-visa to enter.
Beyond the country list
Other visa-free routes to Vietnam
A handful of exemptions apply by status or location rather than nationality.
Overseas Vietnamese and their families
Overseas Vietnamese holding a foreign passport, and the foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens, can hold a five-year visa-exemption certificate. It allows multiple entries over five years, with up to 180 days per stay.
APEC Business Travel Card holders
Holders of a valid APEC Business Travel Card, with a valid passport, can enter without a visa for up to 60 days, and use the fast-track lanes at the airport.
Phu Quoc Island
Foreign nationals arriving directly at Phu Quoc Island can stay up to 30 days without a visa, including when transiting another Vietnamese border gate on the way, provided the final destination is Phu Quoc.
The five-year exemption card (Decree 221)
A newer scheme grants a five-year visa-exemption card to selected high-profile foreign nationals, such as major investors, scientists, executives, and cultural figures, with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days per visit.
Diplomatic and official passports
Holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports from a wide range of countries are exempt under bilateral agreements, commonly for 30, 60, or 90 days. The terms depend on the agreement, so check with a Vietnamese mission if this applies to you.
Common questions
Vietnam visa exemption FAQs
The questions travelers ask most about visa-free entry to Vietnam.
Which countries are visa-free for Vietnam?
As of 2026, ordinary-passport holders from around 39 countries, listed above. Most of Europe plus Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Belarus get 45 days; ASEAN neighbors and a few others 30; the Philippines 21; Brunei and Myanmar 14; and Chile and Panama 90.
How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Between 14 and 90 days, depending on your nationality, counted from the date you enter. Check your country in the list for the exact limit.
Can I extend a visa-free stay?
Generally no. The simplest options are to exit and re-enter, which no longer requires a gap between visits, or to apply for an e-visa for a longer continuous stay of up to 90 days.
What if my country is not on the visa-free list?
Apply for an e-visa. It is open to every nationality, covers up to 90 days, and is applied for online before you travel. For working, investing, or a longer stay, a sponsored visa applies instead.
Do BNO passport holders get the UK exemption?
No. British National (Overseas) passports do not qualify for the United Kingdom exemption, so BNO holders need a visa or an e-visa to enter Vietnam.
Is Phu Quoc really visa-free?
Yes, for up to 30 days if you arrive directly at Phu Quoc Island, including when transiting another Vietnamese gate on the way, as long as the island is your final destination. Travel beyond Phu Quoc to the mainland needs a visa or an exemption that covers it.
Staying longer than visa-free?
Talk to our Ho Chi Minh City team
A visa-free stay or an e-visa you arrange yourself. If your plans run longer — to working, investing, or setting up in Vietnam — that needs a sponsored visa, and that is where we come in. Tell us what you are planning.