Travellers holding a French passport may enter Vietnam without a visa for as long as 45 days, thanks to a government resolution that stays in force until March 2028. If your stay will be longer, a 90-day e-visa costs 25 USD for a single entry or 50 USD when you need multiple entries, and the application is completed online at evisa.gov.vn.
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Vietnam Visa for French Citizens: Visa-Free Entry
Anyone travelling on a French passport can visit for up to 45 days without a visa. This arrangement comes from Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP, issued by the Government of Viet Nam, and it grants 45 days counted from the day of entry, running from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028, no matter which passport type you hold or what your purpose is.
Make sure the stamp you receive gives you 45 days starting from your arrival date, since immigration officers will not amend it once you have passed through the airport or crossed a land border.
Planning to stay longer? According to the UK FCDO, you have three options: ask a travel agent based in Vietnam for a visa pre-approval letter, apply at the Vietnamese Embassy, or obtain a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa. Since 15 August 2023, under Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP, e-visas have been open to every nationality. If you intend to stay for more than 90 days, you should contact the Vietnam Immigration Department yourself; the UK FCDO points out that the British Embassy does not help with visa extensions.
E-Visa Requirements for French Nationals
A valid passport plus two digital images are what you will need.
- Portrait photo – taken recently, 4 x 6 cm, in JPG or JPEG format and under 2 MB; face looking straight ahead, no hat or glasses, formal clothing, white background.
- Passport data page image – a single sharp picture in which none of the corners are missing.
The e-visa portal requires the e-visa’s validity to end at least 30 days before your passport does. The UK FCDO advises that your passport expire at least 6 months after arrival, with at least 2 blank pages and no damage. The passport you enter on must be the same one you exit on.
Write your name in uppercase letters, exactly as it appears on the ICAO line of your passport. Supplying dishonest information causes your application to be denied.
Vietnamese entry law (Article 20) does not require an onward ticket, proof of funds or travel insurance. E-visas are intended only for foreigners currently abroad, not for people who are already in Vietnam.
Vietnam Visa for French Citizens: Fees and Timeline
The fees are flat and settled online.
| Visa type | Fee | Entries | Max validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | 25 USD | 1 | 90 days |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | 50 USD | Multiple | 90 days |
Processing normally takes 3 working days after you pay, or 3 to 15 working days if the Police Department verifies your application. Weekends and public holidays are not counted as working days, and all times run on UTC+07:00. As the e-visa portal notices state, the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, even if your visa is denied.
Payment goes through the VietCombank payment portal, which is authorized by the Immigration Department. The payment status can need up to 2 hours to update, so avoid submitting a duplicate.
Incomplete or invalid information means you will be asked for more, or refused, and the clock restarts the moment you send valid details. You may apply as much as 1 year before your planned entry.
How to Apply for Your Vietnam E-Visa
Open the e-visa form
Visit evisa.gov.vn (or thithucdientu.gov.vn) and bring up the e-visa form.
Complete every field
Fill in all fields in English, accurately and honestly. If you select “Others”, spell out the specifics.
Attach your images
Upload your portrait photo along with a clear passport data page image.
Select entry and exit gates
Pick from the approved list, for instance the airports Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang, the land gates Moc Bai and Lao Cai, or the seaport Hai Phong.
Pay the fee
Settle the 25 USD or 50 USD fee via the VietCombank payment portal.
Wait for the outcome
Allow 3 to 15 working days for processing.
Show your e-visa at the border
Present the e-visa when you reach the border gate you selected.
There is no obligation to exit through the gate you entered by. Before you fly, the Immigration Department recommends filling in the pre-arrival form at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn. At Tan Son Nhat Airport, a digital arrival card is encouraged from 15 April 2026, though it has not become mandatory. Either way, look at the temporary residence stamp in your passport before you leave immigration control.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Wrong photos. A selfie or a cropped passport scan will have your file sent back, and processing restarts.
- Name mismatch. A name that is not an exact, capitalised match with the ICAO line risks refusal.
- Applying twice. Your first fee is gone and you end up with two valid visas. Submit once and wait.
- Skipping your history. Omitting a past overstay or violation can get you denied.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long can French citizens stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Your entry date starts 45 days of temporary residence. The exemption applies from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028. On arrival, look at the exit date stamped in your passport.
Are French citizens able to apply for a Vietnam e-visa after already being in the country?
No. E-visas are issued only to foreigners who are currently abroad. If an authority, organization or individual in Vietnam invites you, you may apply for a new visa once you have entered.
What occurs if I stay in Vietnam beyond my visa or visa-free period?
Authorities can stop you leaving until a fine is paid, and deportation along with a ban on returning is possible. The UK FCDO warns about these consequences, so keep track of your stamped exit date.
If my application is denied, can the Vietnam e-visa fee be refunded?
No. Since it is a processing charge under Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14, the fee is non-refundable in any circumstances, refusal included. Once you pay, treat the 25 or 50 USD as spent.
Using an e-visa, can I enter and leave Vietnam via different border gates?
Yes. Both gates have to appear on the government-approved list, and you select your entry and exit points while filling in the application.
What passport validity is needed for a Vietnam visa for French citizens?
For an e-visa, your passport must remain valid at least 30 days beyond the visa’s validity. The UK FCDO also recommends passport validity beyond arrival, as stated above.
Are vaccinations needed for French citizens to enter Vietnam?
No. The WHO’s 2022 country list notes that no yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Malaria risk is present from May through November below 2,000 m.
How far in advance of my trip can I apply for a Vietnam visa for French citizens?
As early as 1 year before your planned entry. Processing takes 3 working days after payment, or up to 15 when verification is needed, so apply a few weeks ahead.
Sources and verification
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal (Immigration Department) – fees, validity and processing times for e-visas, plus the non-refundable policy (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam online newspaper – Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP concerning the visa exemption for 12 countries (verified 2026-10-13)
- WHO vaccination requirements country list – yellow fever entry requirements and where malaria risk occurs (verified 2026-10-13)
- Viet Nam Immigration Department e-visa form – specifications for the photo and the passport image (verified 2026-10-13)
- Vietnam National e-Visa Portal FAQs – passport validity rule, name format and border gate lists (verified 2026-10-13)
- Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam – details on visa exemption (verified 2026-10-13)
- UK FCDO Vietnam entry requirements – passport validity, arrival card and warnings about overstaying (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Viet Nam e-newspaper – Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP on e-visas for all nationalities (verified 2026-10-13)
