Vietnam Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
There's no single answer — it depends on your passport. As of mid-2026, Vietnam's e-visa is open to virtually all nationalities: apply online for a 90-day single or multiple-entry visa, $25–50, usually approved within 3 business days. Separately, roughly 38 countries — much of Europe, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN — currently get visa-free entry for 30–45 days. US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand passports aren't exempt and need the e-visa.
Visa questions are the one place a generic travel-blog answer can actually cost you a flight or an awkward conversation at check-in. Here's the real breakdown by nationality, plus the two special cases (Phu Quoc, and the e-visa's own recent expansion) worth knowing about.
Option 1: the e-visa (most travelers, including the US, Canada, Australia, NZ)
Vietnam's e-visa is now open to citizens of essentially every country through the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn. It's valid for 90 days, available as single-entry ($25) or multiple-entry ($50), and processing typically takes about 3 business days. Apply only through the official .gov.vn site — plenty of third-party sites charge a steep markup for the same service.
Option 2: visa-exempt entry (check if your country qualifies)
| Passport / region | Current visa-free stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | Up to 45 days | Multiple entry, in effect through 2028 for most of this group |
| 12 additional European countries (incl. Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland — added Aug 2025) | Up to 45 days | Same terms as the group above, in effect through 2028 |
| ASEAN countries (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and others) | Up to 30 days | Multiple entry |
| Chile, Panama | Up to 30–90 days depending on the specific agreement | Verify current terms before booking — this one has shifted more than once |
| India | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1) — same 90-day, $25/$50 terms as everyone else on that route |
| China | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1), applied for through the same evisa.gov.vn portal |
| Gulf states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the rest of the GCC) | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1) — there's no regional exemption or pilot program for this group right now |
| South Africa | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1) |
| Brazil and the rest of Latin America | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1) — Chile and Panama (row above) are the only Latin American exceptions |
| Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia | Up to 30 days | Already covered by the ASEAN row above — no e-visa needed if you're staying under 30 days |
| US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand — and any nationality not listed above | Not visa-exempt | Use the e-visa (Option 1) — fast and inexpensive; if your passport isn't in this table, assume e-visa and confirm at evisa.gov.vn |
Visa-exemption lists change: countries get added, durations get adjusted, and validity windows have end dates (several current 45-day exemptions run only through 2028). Check the official evisa.gov.vn site or your nearest Vietnamese embassy for your specific passport within a week or two of booking, not months in advance.
The Phu Quoc exception
If you're flying or sailing directly to Phu Quoc island and staying only there, most nationalities — including ones that don't qualify for mainland visa exemption — can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. This applies to Phu Quoc only; traveling on to mainland Vietnam requires the standard visa or e-visa for your passport. See our Phu Quoc guide for the details.
Entry basics for everyone
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- Bring your e-visa approval letter (printed or on your phone) if using that route — you'll need it at check-in and at immigration.
- Immigration officers can ask for proof of onward or return travel — keep a copy of your return ticket accessible.
- Overstaying carries a fine and potential complications on future visa applications — plan any extension before your current entry expires, not after.
Extending your stay
E-visa holders can typically apply for an extension at an immigration office in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before their current visa expires, for a fee — budget a few business days for processing and start the process at least a week before your visa runs out.