Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam? FAQs

Question

Many international visitors wonder about visa requirements when entering Vietnam, visa issuance time and how to apply for a visa.

Answer 1

Visa requirements for entering Vietnam depend on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Here are some basic information:

Citizens of visa-exempt countries: Some countries have visa-exempt agreements with Vietnam, allowing their citizens to enter Vietnam for a certain period of time without a visa. For example, citizens of South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Russia, and several other countries can enter without a visa for a period of 15 to 30 days.

E-visa: Citizens of many countries can apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) to enter Vietnam. The e-visa is valid for 30 days and allows only a single entry.

Visa on Arrival: Some tourists can apply for a visa on arrival at Vietnam's international airports, but an approval letter is required before arriving.

Traditional visa application: If you are not visa exempt or ineligible for an e-visa, you will need to apply for a visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate before arriving.

Answer 2

Vietnam grants visa exemptions to citizens of several countries for varying durations of stay. Here's a list of the countries whose citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa, along with the allowed duration of their stay:

### Visa-Exempt Countries and Duration
1. 14 Days:
- Brunei
- Myanmar

2. 15 Days:
- Belarus
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Norway
- Russia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom

3. 21 Days:
- Philippines

4. 30 Days:
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Thailand

5. 90 Days:
- Chile (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Panama (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Cambodia (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Laos (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Indonesia (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Malaysia (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Philippines (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Singapore (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)
- Thailand (for holders of diplomatic or official passports)

### Notes:
- Citizens from the ASEAN member states (such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei) generally have visa-free access for short stays.
- For citizens of Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), the 15-day visa exemption can be re-applied if you leave Vietnam and return after 30 days.
- Visa exemptions are generally for tourism purposes; if your purpose is for work or stays beyond the exemption period, you will need to apply for a visa.

This list is subject to change, so it’s advisable to check with official Vietnamese government sources or your local Vietnamese embassy for the most current information before planning your trip.