In response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Government of Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners into Vietnam, including people with a Vietnamese visa exemption certificate from March 22, 2020.
Effective March 15, 2022, the Vietnamese government agreed to resume its visa exemption policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days regardless of the purpose of entry. This applies to citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The visa exemption policy had been in place prior to the pandemic.
This visa exemption program is valid from 15 Mar 2022 to 14 Mar 2025.
A Vietnam visa is required for all nationalities except those eligible for a visa exemption. With the visa exemption program, visitors can enter Vietnam either by air or by land with just their passport and a return/ onward ticket. If these visitors wish to stay longer than the stated period, they can apply for a visa at a local Vietnamese Embassy or consulate; or apply online for an E-visa if eligible or a visa on arrival.
Who are eligible for a Vietnam visa exemption?
Citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to Vietnam under the visa exemption program.
VISA-EXEMPTED NATIONALITIES (ORDINARY PASSPORT) - updated on 30 Aug 2017
No. |
Country |
Duration of stay |
Note |
1 |
Brunei |
14 days |
|
2 |
Myanmar |
||
3 |
Sweden |
15 days |
Valid till 31/12/2019 |
4 |
Norway |
||
5 |
Denmark |
||
6 |
Finland |
||
7 |
Russia |
||
8 |
Japan |
||
9 |
South Korea |
||
10 |
France |
15 days |
Valid till 30/06/2018 |
11 |
Germany |
||
12 |
Italy |
||
13 |
Spain |
||
14 |
United Kingdom |
||
15 |
Belarus |
15 days |
Valid till 30/06/2020 |
16 |
Philippines |
21 days |
|
17 |
Cambodia |
30 days |
|
18 |
Indonesia |
||
19 |
Malaysia |
||
20 |
Laos |
||
21 |
Singapore |
||
22 |
Thailand |
||
23 |
Chile |
90 days |
Valid from 11/8/2017 |
Vietnam visa exemption important notes:
1- Foreigners holding British National Oversea (BNO) passports are not exempted from visa requirement, thus must have appropriate visas to enter Vietnam.
2- For foreigner who enters Vietnam as unilateral visa-exempted: the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit as unilateral visa-exempted person. Otherwise that person is required to have appropriate visa to enter Vietnam.
3- In accordance with Decision No 80/2013/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister dated December 27, 2013, holders of foreign passports are exempted from visa requirement for entry into, exit from Phu Quoc Island, with duration of stay no longer than 30 days. In case if holders of foreign passports, before entering Phu Quoc, had transit through other international border gate of Viet Nam, he/she also enjoy such exemption.
4- Vietnamese Overseas are eligible for a 5 yeas visa exemption. But they need to apply themselves at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in their country.