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Vietnam Visa-Free Entry: Eligible Nationalities, Duration, and Conditions

Vietnam Visa-Free Entry: Eligible Nationalities, Duration, and Conditions

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Travelers from 26 nations may enter Vietnam without a visa, and in most cases the permitted stay is 45 days. Two government resolutions create these exemptions, while Chile (90 days) and Mongolia (30 days) are covered separately. Anyone whose nationality does not appear on the list has to apply for an e-visa at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners.

The guide you are reading is independent and has no connection to any government body. Treat it as a way to learn how the rules work, then double-check your own circumstances on the official portals linked further down before you fly.

Who Qualifies for Vietnam Visa-Free Entry

What decides your case is the group your nationality belongs to, not the kind of passport you carry, because the two resolutions differ in both their dates and their aims.

Who Qualifies for Vietnam Visa-Free Entry
Group Countries Stay Valid until
Any purpose (Resolution 44/NQ-CP) UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland 45 days 14 March 2028
Tourism only (Resolution 229/NQ-CP) Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland 45 days 14 August 2028
Ordinary passports, bilateral agreement Chile 90 days Per agreement
All passport types Mongolia (30 days; 90 on diplomatic or official passports) 30 days Since 7 March 2024

According to the resolution published by the government on baochinhphu.vn, travelers in the first group receive 45 days counted from the day they enter, for any purpose, as long as they satisfy every entry condition set out in Vietnamese law. Those in the second group are also granted 45 days, yet solely for tourism within the Tourism Stimulus Program, as stated in Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP.

E-Visa Options for Non-Exempt Nationalities

Travelers whose passport is not covered by the list must submit an online e-visa application before their trip.

Holders of an e-visa are required to cross into and out of Vietnam only at the international border gates that have been designated for this purpose, among them 13 airports such as Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất, in line with Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP.

Conditions and Common Mistakes

Even when no visa is needed, the usual entry conditions still have to be satisfied.

Conditions and Common Mistakes
  • Passport validity: Chilean travelers are advised by the Embassy of Chile in Vietnam to carry a passport with more than 6 months of remaining validity.
  • Purpose matters for Group 2: the exemption for tourism does not extend to work, study or any other purpose, so a visa is required if your reason for travelling is different.
  • Watch the 45 days: counting begins on the day you enter, so work out your days before booking a return flight.
  • Check resolution expiry dates: the two exemptions remain in force until 2028, and Vietnamese law provides for Resolution 44/NQ-CP to be considered for extension.
  • File the pre-arrival form: the Immigration Department recommends filling it in at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn before arriving in Vietnam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Polish citizens enter Vietnam without a visa?

Yes. Poland appears on the tourism exemption list created by Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, which means Polish passport holders may stay 45 days without a visa between 15 August 2025 and 14 August 2028. Only tourism falls under this exemption.

For what length of time are UK citizens permitted to remain in Vietnam without a visa?

Under Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP, British citizens are allowed a 45-day stay for any purpose. The exemption applies from 15 March 2025 until 14 March 2028.

If I carry a US passport, is a visa required for Vietnam?

Yes. Because US citizens do not appear on the exemption list, an e-visa from evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners is required. The cost is 25 USD for single entry or 50 USD for multiple entry, and processing normally takes 3 working days.

For Chilean citizens, how long is the visa-free entry period for Vietnam?

According to the Embassy of Chile in Vietnam, Chilean travelers arriving as tourists may remain up to 90 days without a visa, based on the agreement covering ordinary passports. A passport with more than 6 months of validity is required.

Is it allowed to make use of Vietnam visa-free entry when travelling for business reasons?

That depends on which nationality you hold. Travelers in the first group, among them the UK, Germany, Japan and Russia, receive 45 days for any purpose. The second group is limited to tourism, which means business travel calls for a visa.

What is the price of a Vietnam e-visa for someone who does not qualify for visa-free entry?

The price is 25 USD for single entry or 50 USD for multiple entry. As the Immigration Department portal explains, the fee will not be refunded even when an application is turned down.

At which place can I submit an application for a Vietnam e-visa?

Applications are submitted through the Immigration Department portal at evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners. E-visas have been available to citizens of every country and territory since 15 August 2023.

Does the 45-day visa-free stay come with any particular conditions?

Yes. Every entry condition established by Vietnamese law has to be met, passport validity included. For nationalities in Group 2, the exemption may be used for tourism alone.

Sources

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Peter Petersen

Author: Peter Petersen

With 9 years of experience in travel documentation, Peter Petersen writes practical guides on the Vietnam eVisa. His focus is on clear checklists: who needs the document, what to prepare and how long approval usually takes. This is an independent website, not connected to the government of Vietnam.