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Vietnam·Visa & entry

Vietnam visa requirements and entry rules

Standard visa-free allowance, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options, mandatory pre-arrival cards, customs notes, and the practical entry mechanics. The country safety guide's Getting In chapter covers the per-nationality detail.

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Headline
e-Visa USD 25-50 (90 days valid), or visa exemption 15-45 days for some

Pre-arrival card

e-Visa or visa exemption

Official portal

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/

Specifics

  • Visa exemption 45 days for UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain; 21 days for Philippines; 30 days for Phu Quoc direct arrivals regardless of nationality.
  • Apply only on official evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn portal.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Vietnam’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

  • US passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
  • UK passport
    Visa-free
    Up to 45 days
    • UK passport-holders visa-free 45 days.
  • EU passport
    Visa-free
    Up to 45 days
    • France, Germany, Italy, Spain visa-free 45 days; other EU need e-Visa.
  • CA passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa for Canadian passport-holders.
  • AU passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa for Australian passport-holders.
  • IN passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa for Indian passport-holders.
  • BR passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa for Brazilian passport-holders.
  • JP passport
    Visa-free
    Up to 45 days
    • Visa-free 45 days for Japanese passport-holders.
  • CN passport
    e-Visa required
    Up to 90 days · USD 25-USD 50
    Pre-arrival: Vietnam e-Visa
    • e-Visa for Chinese passport-holders.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for Vietnam is e-visa usd 25-50 (90 days valid), or visa exemption 15-45 days for some. US passport-holders specifically get e-visa required for up to 90 days at USD 25-USD 50, with Vietnam e-Visa required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

Vietnam requires e-Visa or visa exemption before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Vietnam.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Vietnam’s official portal is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Vietnam embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Vietnam explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for Vietnam

More on Vietnam

Read the Vietnam visa and entry requirements chapter →

Vietnam is broadly safe for travellers and consistently set at the standard tier of caution by every major foreign ministry. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but the country’s unique density of motorbike traffic makes road safety the dominant tourist injury risk by an order of magnitude. The other structural risks are typhoon-driven flooding on the central coast (the September 2024 Yagi response is the new federal baseline), drug penalties that include the death penalty, a small but persistent bag-snatching pattern in central Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and gastric illness for first-time visitors. This guide unpacks the e-Visa system, the Halong Bay overnight cruise standards, the Hue/Hoi An typhoon calendar, the Reunification Express, and the practical contacts that shape a Vietnamese itinerary.

Frequently asked about Vietnam

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?

The headline rule is: e-Visa USD 25-50 (90 days valid), or visa exemption 15-45 days for some. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Vietnam's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa?

e-Visa USD 25-50 (90 days valid), or visa exemption 15-45 days for some. e-Visa or visa exemption is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in Vietnam?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Vietnam's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.