Vietnam Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| British | Yes | No | No |
| Australian | Yes | No | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | No | Yes |
| USA | Yes | No | Yes |
| EU | Yes | No | See below |
Passports
To enter Vietnam, a passport valid for at six months after the visa expiration date is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Passport Note
For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.
Passport Visa Note
Make sure your passport has not been damaged in any way or you may be refused entry.
Visas
Vietnam grants visa exemptions to citizens of the following countries, allowing them to enter and stay for varying durations without needing a visa. The specific countries and their corresponding maximum visa-free stay periods are as follows:
Visa-free for up to 90 days: Chile and Panama.
Visa-free for up to 45 days: Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In addition, nationals of Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic who participate in tours organised by Vietnamese operators between 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Visa-free for up to 30 days: Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Visa-free for up to 21 days: Philippine.
Visa-free for up to 14 days: Brunei, and Myanmar.
These visa exemptions apply to holders of regular passports and are subject to change, so travellers should verify current requirements before planning their trip.
Types and Cost
Tourist visa: fees vary according to the type of visa and length of stay and are regularly adjusted. Please contact the nearest embassy for up-to-date fee information.
e-visa (valid for 90 days): single entry US$25, multiple entry US$50
Validity
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days or 90 days from the proposed date of entry depending on the type of visa granted.
Transit
Visas are not required for passengers in transit, provided they have an onward/return ticket, are continuing their journey within 24 hours and do not leave the transit area of the airport.
Application to
E-Visa for visits for up to 30 days or consulate (or consular section at embassy). The e-visa portal is at evisa.gov.vn.
Please note: Entry with the e-visa is only possible via certain border posts (airports, seaports and land crossings). These are listed on the e-visa portal.
There are also a number of agencies offering a visa on arrival. You apply and pay for a letter of approval online through a commercial company and collect your visa on arrival at the airport (not at overland border crossings). These agencies usually charge an additional service fee. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK advises against obtaining visas using this method however, as it cannot verify the validity of the visas.
Temporary residence
Foreigners can take up temporary residence if they are invited to work in Vietnam by an organisation there. You must give details of the type of work and duration before a visa and temporary resident permit can be issued.
Working days
Allow three working days for (e-)visa processing. For an additional fee, a next-day service is available.
Extension of stay
You can extend tourist visas for up to a month and the best way to do this is through a travel agent in Vietnam. Rates vary depending on the agent used. Do not overstay your visa.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Vietnam
Telephone: +84 (0)24 3936 0500
Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-hanoi
Address: , Central Building, 4th Floor, , ,
Opening times:
Mon-Thu 0830-1230 and 1330-1645; Fri 0830-1230 and 1300-1500
US Embassy in Vietnam
Telephone: +84 (0)24 3850 5000
Website: https://vn.usembassy.gov/
Address: , 7 Láng Ha Street, , ,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1700
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the USA
Telephone: (202) 861 0737 or 202 716 8666 (consular section).
Website: http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/
Address: Suite 400, 1233 20th Street,NW, Washington, 20036,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1200 and 1400-1700
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7937 1912
Website: http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/
Address: , 12 Victoria Road, London, W8 5RD,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (visa section).
