- Effective August 15, 2023, the Vietnamese government agreed to extend the temporary stay for travelers who enjoy the unilateral visa waiver from 15 days to 45 days for 13 countries 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.
This visa exemption program is valid until 14 Mar 2025.
- Citizens of ASEAN countries are exempted for no longer than 30 days regardless of the purpose of entry.
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 business visa (a sponsor must be required); or apply online for an E-visa (valid for max 90 days) if eligible.
Who is 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 15 August 2023
| No. | Country | Duration of stay | Validity |
| 1 | Brunei | 14 days | N/A |
| 2 | Myanmar | ||
| 3 | Philippines | 21 days | N/A |
| 4 | Cambodia | 30 days | N/A |
| 5 | Indonesia | ||
| 6 | Malaysia | ||
| 7 | Laos | ||
| 8 | Singapore | ||
| 9 | Thailand | ||
| 10 | Belarus | 45 days | valid until 14 Mar 2025 |
| 11 | Denmark | ||
| 12 | Finland | ||
| 13 | France | ||
| 14 | Germany | ||
| 15 | Italy | ||
| 16 | Japan | ||
| 17 | Norway | ||
| 18 | Russia | ||
| 19 | South Korea | ||
| 20 | Spain | ||
| 21 | Sweden | ||
| 22 | United Kingdom |
Vietnam visa exemption important notes:
1- Foreigners holding British National Overseas (BNO) passports are not exempted from visa requirements and, thus must have appropriate visas to enter Vietnam.
2- For a foreigner who enters Vietnam as a unilateral visa-exempted: the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit as a unilateral visa-exempted person. Otherwise, that person is required to have an 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 requirements for entry into, and exit from Phu Quoc Island, with a duration of stay no longer than 30 days. In case holders of foreign passports, before entering Phu Quoc, had transit through other international border gates of Viet Nam, he/she also enjoy such exemption.
4- Vietnamese Overseas are eligible for a 5-year visa exemption. But they need to apply themselves at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in their country.