This guide covers every nationality currently exempt from Vietnam's visa requirements, the exact duration each can stay, and the re-entry rules that catch people out. It also explains what happens when you overstay, how Phu Quoc's separate visa-free zone works, and when an e-visa might actually be a better option than a visa exemption.
The complete list of visa-exempt countries in 2026
Vietnam grants visa exemptions through bilateral agreements with individual countries and unilateral decisions made by the Vietnamese government. The list below reflects the current policy as of 2026.
45-day visa exemption
| Country | Duration | Re-entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Japan | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| France | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| United Kingdom | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Germany | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Spain | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Italy | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Russia | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Denmark | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Sweden | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Norway | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Finland | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Belarus | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
| Switzerland | 45 days | 30 days between visits |
30-day visa exemption
| Country | Duration | Re-entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Malaysia | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Singapore | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Indonesia | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Laos | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Cambodia | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Philippines | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Myanmar | 30 days | No waiting period |
| Brunei | 14 days | No waiting period |
90-day visa exemption
| Country | Duration | Re-entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | 90 days | No waiting period |
| Panama | 90 days | No waiting period |
14-day visa exemption
| Country | Duration | Re-entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia (air travel only) | 14 days | No waiting period |
Pro tip: The 45-day exemption for European countries, the UK, Japan, and South Korea is relatively new. It replaced the old 15-day exemption in August 2023. If you read older travel forums, you will see outdated information about 15-day stays. Trust the list above, not old blog posts.
Re-entry rules and the 30-day gap
The 45-day visa exemption comes with a catch that confuses many travelers. After using the exemption, you must wait 30 days before entering Vietnam visa-free again. This rule applies to citizens of South Korea, Japan, and all the European countries on the 45-day list.
Here is how it works in practice. A British traveler enters Vietnam on August 1 and stays 20 days, leaving August 21. They cannot re-enter visa-free until September 20. If they try to enter earlier, immigration officials will require them to purchase an e-visa or visa on arrival instead.
The 30-day gap does not apply to the 30-day exemptions for ASEAN countries. Thai, Malaysian, and Singaporean citizens can enter and exit freely without waiting periods.
Warning: Some travelers attempt to reset the 30-day gap by doing a quick border run to Cambodia or Laos. This does not work. Immigration officials check the last entry date in your passport, not how long you spent outside the country. The 30 days start from your previous exit date, not your new entry attempt.
Phu Quoc: the separate visa-free zone
Phu Quoc island operates under its own visa policy. All nationalities can enter Phu Quoc visa-free for up to 30 days, provided they arrive by international flight directly to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC).
This matters for travelers planning to visit the island. If you fly from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, the domestic flight does not trigger the visa-free zone. You need a valid visa or visa exemption for the entire stay in Vietnam, including the Phu Quoc portion.
The visa-free Phu Quoc entry only works when arriving from abroad. Direct international flights to Phu Quoc currently operate from Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and a few other Asian cities. If your itinerary starts in Vietnam's mainland, you need standard entry clearance.
Pro tip: The Phu Quoc visa exemption is useful for travelers who want to combine a mainland Vietnam trip with a beach extension but have exhausted their 45-day exemption. Fly out to Phu Quoc from an international destination, stay up to 30 days, then fly back to the mainland. The Phu Quoc stay does not count against your mainland visa exemption.
E-visa: the better option for most travelers
The e-visa program expanded significantly in 2023 and remains the most practical option for most nationalities in 2026. Citizens of 80+ countries can apply online for a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa at a cost of 25 USD.
The e-visa allows multiple entries within 90 days. This makes it superior to the visa exemption for travelers who plan to leave Vietnam and return, for example, on a combined Vietnam-Cambodia or Vietnam-Laos itinerary. The 45-day exemption with its 30-day gap cannot accommodate such trips.
The application process takes 3 to 5 working days. Applications go through the official government portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The form requires a passport photo, a portrait photo, and payment of the 25 USD fee. Approval arrives as a PDF file, which travelers must print and present at immigration.
Pro tip: For citizens of visa-exempt countries, the e-visa offers more flexibility than the exemption. A 90-day multiple-entry e-visa costs 25 USD and removes all re-entry restrictions. If your trip involves border crossings into Cambodia or Laos, apply for the e-visa instead of relying on the exemption.
Overstaying: what happens and what it costs
Overstaying a visa exemption is treated seriously in Vietnam. The penalty starts at 500,000 VND (20 USD) per day for overstays of less than 10 days. Longer overstays attract higher fines and potential detention.
The process works like this. When you check in for your departure flight, the airline reports your passport details to immigration. If you have overstayed, immigration may flag your passport. At the airport, you will be directed to the immigration office to pay the fine before being allowed to board.
For overstays of more than 10 days, the fine increases to 2,000,000 VND (80 USD) per day. Overstays exceeding 30 days can result in deportation, a ban from re-entering Vietnam for 1 to 5 years, or both.
Warning: Do not assume you can pay the fine at the airport and walk away. Immigration officials have discretion to impose entry bans. A 3-day overstay usually results in a fine. A 3-week overstay can end your Vietnam travel plans for years.
Visa exemption vs e-visa: which should you choose?
| Factor | Visa exemption | E-visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | 25 USD |
| Duration | 14 to 90 days depending on country | 90 days |
| Entries | Single entry | Multiple entry |
| Re-entry gap | 30 days for 45-day exemption countries | None |
| Application | None | 3 to 5 working days online |
| Best for | Short single trips | Multi-country itineraries, longer stays |
The decision depends on your itinerary. A German traveler visiting Vietnam for 10 days, flying in and out of Hanoi, should use the visa exemption. It costs nothing and requires no paperwork.
A British traveler planning a 3-week trip that includes a side trip to Cambodia should apply for the e-visa. The 90-day multiple-entry format covers the entire trip without worrying about the 30-day gap.
Border entry points and practical requirements
Visa exemptions apply at all international border crossings: airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and other cities, plus land borders with Cambodia, Laos, and China.
At entry, immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel and accommodation. This is standard practice across Southeast Asia. Have your hotel booking confirmation and exit flight details printed or accessible on your phone.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. This rule applies to all visa-exempt nationalities.
Pro tip: Some land border crossings in remote areas have limited English-speaking staff. Have your hotel address written in Vietnamese to avoid confusion. For example, if you are heading to the Bac Ha Market, write "Chợ Bắc Hà, thị trấn Bắc Hà, Lào Cai" on a piece of paper.
Special cases and common mistakes
British Overseas Territories citizens
The UK visa exemption covers British citizens only. Citizens of British Overseas Territories, including Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders, do not qualify for the visa exemption. They must apply for an e-visa.
Dual nationals
If you hold passports from two countries, one visa-exempt and one not, the choice of which passport you use matters. Enter and exit Vietnam using the same passport. Mixing passports at entry and exit creates problems.
Diplomatic and official passports
The visa exemption list for diplomatic and official passports differs from the tourist list. If you travel on a diplomatic passport, check with the Vietnamese embassy in your country before booking flights.
Children
Children of visa-exempt nationalities qualify for the same visa exemption as their parents. The child's passport must be valid for 6 months. Children traveling on a parent's passport, which is common for infants in some countries, need their own passport for international travel to Vietnam.
How the visa policy affects your trip planning
The visa exemption rules should influence how you structure your Vietnam itinerary. For travelers from the 45-day exemption countries, a single trip of up to 45 days works perfectly. Plan to enter Vietnam once and exit once.
For longer trips or multi-country routes, the e-visa removes all restrictions. The Vietnam and Cambodia combo itinerary becomes much simpler with a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa. You can cross the border at Moc Bai, spend a week in Cambodia, and return to Vietnam without any re-entry complications.
The Indochina grand tour covering Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in one month similarly benefits from the e-visa. Enter Vietnam, cross to Cambodia, then to Laos, and back into Vietnam. The multiple-entry e-visa handles all of this.
Travelers arriving during Tet Nguyen Dan, when immigration lines can stretch for hours, should have their visa documents ready before reaching the counter. The visa exemption requires no paperwork, but the e-visa PDF must be printed. Having it on your phone is not always accepted.
Final practical notes
The visa exemption policy changes with little notice. The expansion from 15 to 45 days for European countries happened in August 2023 without extensive advance warning. Check the official immigration website before your trip, especially if you plan to travel during peak season.
For travelers from countries not on the visa-exempt list, the e-visa remains the standard route. The Vietnam e-visa 2026 guide covers the application process, common rejection reasons, and how to fix mistakes.
If you are unsure whether your nationality qualifies for visa exemption, contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country. They provide definitive answers based on current bilateral agreements.
The visa rules should not dictate your entire trip, but they should shape it. A 45-day exemption gives you enough time for a slow journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including stops in Phong Nha, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta. The e-visa gives you the freedom to cross borders and come back. Choose based on your route, not on which option sounds simpler.
FAQ
Q: Can I extend my visa exemption while in Vietnam? A: No. Visa exemptions cannot be extended. You must leave Vietnam before the exemption expires. If you need a longer stay, exit the country and apply for an e-visa from a neighboring country like Cambodia or Laos.
Q: Do I need a visa if I am just transiting through Vietnam? A: Transit passengers who stay in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration do not need a visa. If you leave the airport or stay overnight in Vietnam, you need a visa or visa exemption. The rules for Indians transiting through Vietnam apply similarly to other nationalities.
Q: What happens if I enter visa-free and want to stay longer than 45 days? A: You cannot extend the exemption. You must leave Vietnam before day 45. Some travelers exit to Cambodia or Laos for a few days and re-enter, but the 30-day gap rule blocks this for citizens of the 45-day exemption countries.
Q: Can I work in Vietnam on a visa exemption? A: No. The visa exemption covers tourism, business meetings, and family visits. Paid work requires a work permit and a business visa. Working on a visa exemption is illegal and can result in fines, deportation, and entry bans.
Q: Does the 30-day gap apply to the 30-day ASEAN exemptions? A: No. Citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, and Myanmar can enter and exit Vietnam freely without waiting periods between visits.
Q: My passport expires in 4 months. Can I still use the visa exemption? A: No. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before traveling to Vietnam.
Q: Is the visa exemption valid for multiple entries within the 45-day period? A: No. The visa exemption is single-entry. If you leave Vietnam during your 45-day stay, you cannot re-enter using the same exemption. You would need an e-visa for the second entry.