Vietnam may allow visa-free entry for short stays to citizens of designated countries under a unilateral visa exemption. Eligibility, length of stay (often 15–45 days), and conditions are set by the Vietnamese Government and can change. Always verify the current list, your passport validity, and entry rules before you fly.
Who this helps (and the questions it answers)
-
Tourists & business visitors: “Am I visa-free to Vietnam and for how long?”
-
Trip planners with tight timelines: “Should I rely on visa exemption or apply for an e-Visa?”
-
Frequent travelers: “What are the limits (re-entry gaps, extension, entry ports) for visa-free entry?”
Eligibility — Do you qualify?
You may be visa-exempt unilaterally if:
-
You hold a passport from a country designated by the Vietnamese Government for unilateral waivers.
-
You meet entry conditions (see below) and your trip purpose fits short-term tourism/business meetings/family visits.
-
You comply with stay limits (commonly 15–45 days, depending on nationality & current policy).
Note: Unilateral exemption is one-way (no reciprocity required). The Government may adjust/suspend the list for security, public health, or policy reasons.
Entry conditions & stay limits (what border officers check)
-
Valid passport (commonly ≥ 6 months on arrival) with blank pages.
-
Length of stay within your nationality’s approved limit (e.g., 15–45 days).
-
Purpose: Short visits only — not long-term work/study/residence.
-
Compliance: Follow Vietnam’s entry/exit rules, address/temporary residence reporting, and lawful activities.
-
Extensions: Typically not guaranteed under unilateral exemption; longer stays usually require an e-Visa/visa.
Rights vs. limitations (plain language)
What you get
-
No pre-visa application needed → time & cost savings.
-
Fast border processing when documents match eligibility.
What you don’t get
-
Long-stay rights (work, study, residence) — use LĐ/DH/TT/ĐT or other proper categories.
-
Assured extensions — plan a visa if you need more time or multiple entries beyond policy.
Bilateral vs. Unilateral vs. e-Visa — What’s the difference?
| Path | Who sets it? | Typical stay | Use cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral exemption (Art. 12) | Treaty-based (Vietnam + partner state) | Varies by treaty | Short visits per mutual agreement |
| Unilateral exemption (Art. 13) | Vietnam alone | Often 15–45 days | Tourism/business from selected countries |
| e-Visa | Vietnam (online) | Up to 90 days, single/multiple | Broader eligibility, planned trips, longer stays |
Rule of thumb: If your plans exceed visa-free limits (longer duration, multiple entries, specific purposes), apply for an e-Visa.
Real-world scenarios (answer-style)
-
10-day city hop: If your nationality is on the unilateral list for 45 days, you can enter visa-free; keep proof of onward travel.
-
Back-to-back entries: Some programs enforce re-entry gaps; for predictable multi-stop itineraries, consider a multiple-entry e-Visa.
-
Need 60 days: Your visa-free cap is 45 days — choose an e-Visa (up to 90 days) instead of relying on extension.
-
Business meetings + factory tour: Visa-free is fine for short meetings; if activities resemble employment, use the correct visa.
Quick pre-flight checklist (copy/paste)
-
✅ Passport valid ≥ 6 months beyond arrival
-
✅ Nationality appears on the current unilateral exemption list
-
✅ Stay length within your allowed days
-
✅ Return/onward ticket & first-night address ready
-
✅ Purpose = tourism/business visit, not work/study
-
✅ Backup plan: If plans change, apply for an e-Visa
FAQs
Can I extend a unilateral visa-free stay?
Not reliably. Most travelers exit and re-enter or switch to an e-Visa for longer stays.
Is a round-trip ticket required?
Airlines often check proof of onward travel. Bring confirmed plans to avoid boarding issues.
Can the list or days change?
Yes. Stay updated; policies can be revised or suspended.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010; top Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) will:
-
Check if your nationality is visa-exempt and for how many days
-
Flag re-entry gaps and port-of-entry nuances
-
Provide a fast e-Visa fallback (Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday) if exemption doesn’t fit your plan
-
Pre-check documents to prevent last-minute surprises
Travel with certainty. If your trip may exceed visa-free limits, secure the right e-Visa at VietnamEntryVisa.com.