Vietnam Visa Guide 2026: Visa-Free Countries & E-Visa Rules

By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.

Do you need a visa for Vietnam? Citizens of 24 countries – including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Nordic countries, Japan and South Korea – can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, and most ASEAN citizens for 14–30 days. Everyone else can apply online for a Vietnam e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry, for a government fee of US$25 or US$50.

Status (checked October 2026): the 45-day exemption for 12 Western European countries, Russia, Japan and South Korea runs until 14 March 2028 (Resolution 44/NQ-CP), and the 45-day tourism exemption for 12 more European countries runs from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028 (Resolution 229/NQ-CP). The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn. Rules can change – always check before you book flights.

Key takeaways:

Visa-free: 45 days for 24 countries; 14–30 days for most ASEAN countries; 30 days on Phu Quoc island for everyone arriving directly.
E-visa: open to all nationalities, up to 90 days, single (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50), usually issued in about 3 working days.
Passport: valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
Entry port: you must enter through the airport, land border or seaport named on your e-visa.
Visa on arrival: only by air and only with a pre-approved letter – the e-visa is simpler for most travellers.

Vietnam Visa Rules at a Glance

Visa-free (45 days)	24 countries – see the full list below
Visa-free (ASEAN)	14–30 days, depending on the country
Phu Quoc island	30 days visa-free for all nationalities arriving directly from abroad
E-visa	All nationalities; up to 90 days; single or multiple entry
E-visa government fee	US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry
E-visa processing	About 3 working days (allow a week); urgent help available
Official website	evisa.gov.vn
Passport validity	At least 6 months from arrival

Do I Need a Visa for Vietnam?

It depends on your passport and how long you stay. If your country is on the visa-free list and your trip is within the allowed days, you only need your passport. If not – or if you plan to stay longer, or enter and leave several times – apply for an e-visa before you travel. Airlines check your visa status at check-in, so sort it out before you fly.

Countries that can visit Vietnam visa-free for 45 days

Countries	Stay	Purpose	Valid until
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Japan, South Korea	45 days	Any purpose	14 March 2028
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland	45 days	Tourism	14 August 2028

The 45 days are counted from your arrival date, regardless of passport type. The exemption normally cannot be extended inside Vietnam, so if your trip is close to the limit, choose an e-visa instead.

ASEAN countries

Countries	Visa-free stay
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia	30 days
Philippines	21 days
Brunei, Myanmar	14 days

A few other countries have bilateral visa-free agreements with Vietnam. If your country is not listed here, assume you need an e-visa – or ask us to check.

Countries that need an e-visa

Travellers from most other countries need an e-visa, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Greece and Israel.

Phu Quoc Visa-Free Entry (30 Days)

Phu Quoc island has its own rule: all nationalities can stay up to 30 days without a visa when they arrive directly on the island by international flight or sea, with a passport valid for 6 months. The exemption covers Phu Quoc only. If you want to continue to the mainland – for example to Saigon or the Mekong Delta – you need a visa or a visa exemption for Vietnam. Many travellers combine the island with a Mekong cruise from Saigon to Phu Quoc, in which case the normal Vietnam rules apply.

Vietnam E-Visa: Validity, Fees and Processing Time

Since 15 August 2023 Vietnam has issued e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry, and is accepted at all international airports and at the main land borders and seaports listed on the official portal.

Item	Details
Who can apply	All nationalities
Length of stay	Up to 90 days
Entries	Single or multiple
Government fee	US$25 single entry; US$50 multiple entry (non-refundable)
Processing time	About 3 working days officially; allow up to a week
Where to apply	evisa.gov.vn (official portal)

Be careful with look-alike websites: many unofficial sites charge several times the official fee. Only addresses ending in .gov.vn are government websites. If you prefer someone to check and file for you – or you need the visa within days or hours – our Vietnam visa service handles standard and urgent e-visas.

Short of time or unsure which visa you need? Tell us your nationality and travel dates – our team replies within 24 hours with the right option and an all-in price.

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How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa (Step by Step)

Prepare a passport scan and a photo (see the requirements below).
Open the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, and choose the e-visa application for foreigners.
Fill in the form exactly as in your passport: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and expiry date, plus intended arrival date, length of stay, entry and exit ports and your first address in Vietnam.
Pay the government fee online by card and keep the registration code.
Check the result on the portal with your code and email after about 3 working days, then download and print the e-visa.
Check the e-visa against your passport before you travel – every letter and number must match.

E-Visa Photo and Document Requirements

Passport data page: a clear colour image of the whole page, including the two machine-readable lines at the bottom.
Portrait photo: recent, 4 × 6 cm format, facing the camera, plain light background, no glasses or hat.
Passport validity: at least 6 months from your arrival date, with blank pages.
Travel details: arrival date, entry and exit ports, and an address in Vietnam (your first hotel is fine).

Visa on Arrival in Vietnam: Is It Still Possible?

Yes, but only by air and only if you already hold a visa approval letter issued in advance through a licensed company or sponsor. You show the letter at the landing-visa counter in the arrival hall and pay a stamping fee in cash (US$25 single entry, US$50 multiple entry). Visa on arrival is not available at land borders or seaports. Since the e-visa became available to everyone, it is the simpler choice for most holidaymakers. See the options and prices on our visa on arrival service.

Common Vietnam Visa Mistakes to Avoid

Wrong spelling or name order: enter your name exactly as in the passport’s machine-readable line.
Wrong entry port: if you apply for Hanoi but land in Ho Chi Minh City, you may be refused boarding or entry – change the e-visa first.
Arrival date too late: you can enter on or after the start date on your e-visa, not before.
Counting 45 days wrongly: the arrival day is day 1.
Using an unofficial website without knowing it, and paying several times the official fee.
Single entry for a side trip: if you visit Cambodia or Laos and come back, you need a multiple-entry e-visa or a new visa.

Spotted a mistake on an issued e-visa? It can usually be corrected – see our e-visa correction service.

Visas for Side Trips to Cambodia and Laos

If your Vietnam trip includes Angkor Wat or Laos, plan both visas together. Choose a multiple-entry Vietnam e-visa if you will come back into Vietnam. For Mekong river cruises between Vietnam and Cambodia, note that the Cambodian e-visa is not accepted at the Vinh Xuong – Kaam Samnor river border, so cruise passengers get the Cambodian visa on arrival at the border – details are on our Mekong River cruises page.

Need Help With Your Vietnam Visa?

Vietnam Tour Expert is a licensed Vietnamese tour operator (since 2012). We check your details, file your application and follow it up – including urgent e-visas in 1 working day, 4 hours or even 1 hour, visa approval letters and airport fast track. A standard single-entry e-visa through us costs US$41 all-in, including the government fee. See all prices on our Vietnam visa service page, or plan the rest of your trip with our Vietnam travel guides.

Ready to apply? Send your details in our 2-minute visa inquiry form – standard e-visas from US$41 all-in, urgent e-visas in 1 day, 4 hours or 1 hour.

Get a visa quote now

Frequently Asked Questions about Vietnam Visas

1. Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam from the UK?

No, not for short trips. British citizens can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for any purpose until at least 14 March 2028. For longer stays, apply for a 90-day e-visa – our visa service can help.

2. Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. US citizens need a visa – usually the e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, single (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50). Apply on evisa.gov.vn or let our Vietnam visa service file it for you.

3. Do Australians and Canadians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. Australian and Canadian citizens need an e-visa for Vietnam, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Urgent processing is available through our e-visa service.

4. How much does a Vietnam e-visa cost?

The official government fee is US$25 for a single-entry and US$50 for a multiple-entry e-visa, paid online. Agencies charge a service fee on top – compare in our e-visa price table.

5. How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?

Officially about 3 working days, but allow up to a week, especially before public holidays. If you are short of time, urgent e-visas in 1 day or a few hours are possible through our visa service.

6. How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?

Citizens of 24 countries can stay up to 45 days without a visa, most ASEAN citizens 14–30 days, and all nationalities 30 days on Phu Quoc island. The full list is in our Vietnam visa guide.

7. Can I extend a 45-day visa exemption in Vietnam?

Normally no – the 45-day exemption cannot be extended inside Vietnam. If you may stay longer, enter with a 90-day e-visa instead. Ask our visa team which option fits your dates.

8. Is visa on arrival available in Vietnam?

Only by air and only with a pre-approved visa approval letter; you then pay a US$25 or US$50 stamping fee at the airport. For most travellers the e-visa is simpler – see our visa on arrival options.

9. What is the official Vietnam e-visa website?

The official portal is evisa.gov.vn, run by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Many look-alike sites charge more, so check the address ends in .gov.vn. Our visa service is clearly labelled as assistance, not a government site.

10. Can I enter Vietnam at a different port from my e-visa?

No – enter through the airport, land border or seaport written on your e-visa. If your plans change, correct the e-visa before travelling; our correction service can help.

11. Do I need a visa for Phu Quoc?

No. All nationalities can stay on Phu Quoc up to 30 days visa-free when arriving directly from abroad. Travelling on to the mainland needs a normal Vietnam visa or exemption – plan it with our Southern Vietnam tours.

12. Do I need a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam and Cambodia?

Yes, if you leave Vietnam and come back – for example Saigon, then Angkor, then Hanoi. A multiple-entry e-visa costs US$50 in government fees. Mekong cruise travellers can read more on our Mekong River cruises page.

13. What photo do I need for a Vietnam e-visa?

A recent 4 × 6 cm portrait photo, facing the camera on a plain light background, without glasses or a hat, plus a clear scan of your passport data page. Our team checks both before filing on our visa service.

14. How early should I apply for a Vietnam e-visa?

Apply at least 1–2 weeks before your flight, and earlier before Tet or other public holidays. The e-visa is valid from the start date you choose, so you can apply well ahead. Last-minute? Try our urgent visa service.