Viet Nam:Visa Requirements

VietnamLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

Viet Nam Visa Requirements Map

Viet Nam: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The passenger must travel with a valid passport or international travel document and must not be among persons not permitted to enter the country. For entries benefiting from unilateral visa exemption, the passport must be valid for at least six more months on the date of entry.
  • In visa exemptions based on bilateral agreements, special passports, international organization documents, or regional regulations, the accepted document type, passport validity, and permitted stay duration vary according to the relevant regulation. Therefore, the six-month passport validity requirement should not be applied as a universal rule for all forms of visa-free entry.
  • Under current unilateral visa exemption regulations, the permitted temporary stay duration is a maximum of 45 days from the date of entry. The current special visa exemption under the tourism promotion program also provides a stay of up to 45 days for tourism purposes. Stay durations and passport types usable under bilateral agreements may differ.
  • Under the special visa exemption applicable to Phu Quoc Island, the permitted stay duration is a maximum of 30 days. The passenger may also benefit from this special arrangement if continuing directly to Phu Quoc from the transit area at another Viet Nam international border gate. This exemption should not be regarded as a general visa exemption granting free entry to the Viet Nam mainland.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not specified definitively in the central official source. A requirement for machine-readable or biometric passports for all visa-free passengers has also not been published. The travel document must be valid and in usable condition at border control. No detailed technical criteria for acceptance of damaged passports have been published in the central source.
  • Round-trip ticket, onward ticket, hotel reservation, invitation letter, work document, bank statement, and a fixed minimum financial sufficiency amount have not been designated as common mandatory documents for all visa-free passengers. The number of months the bank statement should cover and the minimum amount required in the account are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • A general travel health insurance or minimum insurance coverage requirement applicable to all visa-free passengers has not been published. The minimum insurance coverage is not specified definitively in the central official source. A common vaccination certificate or health report requirement for all passengers is also not specified in the central visa and entry regulations.
  • For minor passengers, the requirements for passport, parental consent, birth certificate, or custody document may vary depending on the child's passport status, the person accompanied, and the applicable visa exemption regulation. A single central document checklist valid for all visa-exempt children has not been published.
  • Foreign passengers entering through certain major international airports are encouraged to complete the pre-arrival information declaration within three days before arrival or at the time of arrival. This declaration is not a mandatory electronic travel authorization and does not by itself grant entry to the country.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The applicant must be outside Viet Nam, hold a valid passport, and not be among persons not permitted to enter the country. The application may be made directly by the applicant or through an appropriate inviting or sponsoring organization.
  • The application must be completed online through the official electronic visa portal. The applicant must fill in the mandatory fields in the form completely, accurately, and truthfully. Incomplete, incorrect, unidentifiable, or false information may result in non-acceptance or rejection of the application.
  • The form requests first and last name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, nationality, email address, passport type and number, issue and expiry dates, contact addresses, occupation or education information, purpose of travel, requested visa start and end dates, number of entries, planned entry and exit border gates, temporary residence address in Viet Nam, and planned duration of stay.
  • The applicant may also be asked to provide information about previously held passports, other valid passports, previous Viet Nam travels, relatives in the country, and past violations of Viet Nam legislation. The estimated amount of travel expenses, the person or organization covering the expenses, payment means, and whether travel health insurance has been arranged may be asked in the form.
  • A current portrait photograph and an image of the passport page containing personal information must be uploaded to the application. The portrait photograph must be front-facing and without glasses. The exact millimeter or pixel dimensions, background color, date of taking, and file format of the photograph are not specified definitively in the public instructions of the new central portal.
  • Only the image of the personal information page of the passport is requested as a standard upload document. Scanning of other passport pages, entry-exit stamps, or existing visas is not indicated as a common requirement for all personal e-visa applications.
  • The validity period of the e-visa is up to 90 days. The visa may be issued for single or multiple entries. The expiry date of the visa to be issued must be at least 30 days before the expiry date of the passport or international travel document used. A fixed six-month passport validity is not specified as a universal condition in the current central personal e-visa requirements.
  • The single-entry e-visa fee is 25 USD, and the multiple-entry e-visa fee is 50 USD. The fee is paid through the official electronic payment system. If the visa is not granted, the application fee and electronic payment charges are not refunded.
  • The application is processed within three business days from receipt of complete required information and fee. Requesting corrections due to incomplete or incorrect information, additional security checks, or verification by another authority may extend the total processing time.
  • A definitive minimum period applicable to all applicants regarding how many days before travel the application must be made is not specified in the central official source. The application must be made allowing sufficient time for the normal three-business-day processing period and possible corrections.
  • The electronic file code provided after the application is completed must be kept. The result is checked online using the file code, the email address used in the application, and the date of birth. When the visa is approved, the electronic document must be downloaded, printed, and presented together with the passport at entry and exit procedures.
  • The e-visa can only be used at international airports, land border gates, and seaports designated by the Viet Nam Government for electronic visa use. The entry and exit gates selected in the application form must be written correctly; if the travel plan changes, the usability of the visa on the new route should be checked before travel.
  • Accompanying children under 14 years of age who are registered on the applicant's passport may be added to the relevant section of the form with first and last name, gender, date of birth, and a portrait photograph. For a child traveling on his/her own passport, a separate application must be made with that passport information.
  • Although the hotel reservation file is not indicated as a standard mandatory upload document, the planned temporary residence address in Viet Nam must be written in the form. Round-trip ticket, bank statement, salary certificate, student document, company documents, and daily travel itinerary have not been published as common upload documents for all personal e-visa applications.
  • The period of the bank statement and the minimum account balance are not specified definitively in the central official source. Although the form asks about the amount of expenses and who will cover them, a fixed minimum financial sufficiency amount has not been determined.
  • Whether health insurance is present may be asked in the form; however, travel health insurance is not indicated as a mandatory document for all e-visa applications. The minimum insurance coverage is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • A requirement to provide fingerprints, make an in-person application, or attend a consular interview for all personal e-visa applications has not been published. The Immigration Authority may request correction of information, additional explanation, or processing through a sponsoring organization when deemed necessary.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • A visa at the border gate is not a general visa service that can be requested upon arrival without prior processing. The passenger must obtain approval from the Immigration Authority in advance through an inviting person, institution, organization, or licensed travel business in Viet Nam. The border control unit can only issue the visa after matching the passenger's information with the approval or notification previously sent to it.
  • This procedure is limited to: absence of an authorized Viet Nam visa authority in the country where the journey began; transit through more than one country before reaching Viet Nam; participation in a tour organized by a licensed Viet Nam international travel business; foreign ship crew departing from a different border gate; attending the funeral of a relative; visiting a seriously ill relative; or emergency response, rescue, disaster, epidemic, or other special circumstances supported by an authorized Viet Nam authority.
  • The passenger must present a valid passport or international travel document at the border gate, complete the visa application form with photograph, and use the same identity information as in the pre-approval. The exact current dimensions, background, and technical specifications of the photograph are not specified definitively on the central border gate visa page.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not specified definitively in the central official source. The validity of the visa to be issued must be at least 30 days shorter than the validity period of the passport or international travel document.
  • For a child under 14 years of age registered on the parent's or guardian's passport, a separate application form is not required; the child may be processed under the same passport and form. For a child traveling on his/her own passport, separate passenger and approval information is required.
  • For the pre-approval application by the inviting or sponsoring party, the official processing time in ordinary special circumstances is three business days from receipt of the complete file. In special circumstances based on emergency response, rescue, disaster, epidemic, or request of an authorized authority, processing may be concluded within 12 hours. These timeframes do not guarantee that the passenger will receive a visa at the border gate without waiting.
  • The visa's duration, number of entries, purpose of travel, and border gate where it can be used are determined according to the conditions specified in the pre-approval. Requesting a different purpose, duration, or number of entries at the border gate is not required to be accepted.
  • The central fee for a single-entry visa is 25 USD. For a multiple-entry visa with validity not exceeding 90 days, the fee is 50 USD. Fees for longer-term multiple-entry visas increase according to the visa duration. The payment method and the currency or means in which the fee is accepted at the border gate must be confirmed according to the relevant border gate and approval process.
  • Round-trip ticket, hotel reservation, bank statement, health insurance, or financial sufficiency document of the inviting person have not been published as common and universal documents for all border gate visa files. The supporting documents that will be requested vary according to the special circumstance forming the basis for the border gate visa and the sponsor's application.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The application is made to an authorized Viet Nam embassy, consulate general, consulate, or another Viet Nam foreign mission authorized to perform consular functions. Whether the application is accepted in person, by mail, or through the mission's electronic pre-registration system varies according to the relevant mission.
  • The general legal application file consists of a valid passport or international travel document, a completed visa application form, and a photograph. The signing of the application form, affixing or attaching the photograph to the form, and submission of the original passport or a copy of the personal information page are determined according to the practice of the relevant mission.
  • The expiry date of the visa must be at least 30 days before the expiry date of the passport or international travel document. Some foreign missions and transportation practices may require at least six months of passport validity on the planned date of entry. The six-month period must be verified from the relevant mission's current checklist.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not specified definitively in the central official source. A requirement for machine-readable or biometric passports has also not been published as a central condition for all consular visa applications.
  • The number, exact dimensions, background, and date of taking of the photograph may vary according to the mission and whether the visa will be issued as a sticker in the passport or as a separate document. A single photograph dimension applicable to all consulates is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • In cases where the applicant needs to be invited or sponsored by a person, company, educational institution, public agency, or other appropriate organization in Viet Nam, the inviting party must first obtain visa approval from the Immigration Authority or an authorized unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The applicant then submits his/her passport, form, photograph, and the approval number or approval letter to the chosen foreign mission.
  • In files requiring invitation or sponsor approval, the documents of the inviting party vary according to the purpose of travel. For applications for work, investment, education, conference, press activity, family visit, and long-term assignment, company registration, institutional letter, work permit, professional permit, school acceptance document, or documents proving family ties may be requested.
  • Some limited tourism, market research, family visit, or medical travel applications may be evaluated directly by the foreign mission. Direct processing may depend on a verifiable relationship of the applicant or inviting party with the mission, a diplomatic note, or a guarantee from an authorized person or organization. This procedure is not an automatic right for all applicants.
  • The applicant may be asked for information about the purpose of travel, planned duration of stay, address in Viet Nam, entry and exit dates, inviting person or organization, occupation, and financing. The mission may request an invitation letter, travel reservation, accommodation document, proof of legal residence, visa or residence permit for other countries, work or student document, and proof of financial sufficiency.
  • The number of months the bank statement should cover and the minimum amount required in the account are not specified definitively in the central official source. If these documents are requested, the consulate's own checklist should be followed.
  • Travel health insurance has not been published as a common central requirement for all consular visa types. The minimum insurance coverage is not specified definitively in the central official source. For applications for health or medical treatment purposes, a hospital admission letter and treatment documents may additionally be requested.
  • Translation of documents into English or Vietnamese, notarization, consular certification, or legalization may vary depending on the purpose of travel and the country issuing the document. A single translation, notarization, or legalization rule applicable to all short-term visa applications has not been published.
  • For a child under 14 years of age registered on the parent's or guardian's passport, a separate visa application form is not required. A separate application may be made for a child traveling on his/her own passport. Requirements for birth certificate, parental consent, and custody document vary according to the mission applied to and the child's travel arrangement.
  • The legal visa issuance time after the consular authority receives pre-approval is generally three business days. For certain official files subject to instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the time may be one business day. Obtaining sponsor approval, postal time, and the mission's local processing time may not be included in this period.
  • A single central timeframe applicable to all foreign missions regarding how far in advance the application must be made has not been published. Appointment, sponsor approval, postal, and additional processing times should be checked with the relevant mission.
  • The single-entry visa fee is 25 USD. The multiple-entry visa with validity not exceeding 90 days is 50 USD. Fees for longer-term multiple-entry visas vary according to the visa duration. Payment method, local currency equivalent, postal and service fees may be determined by the mission applied to.
  • The validity period of the visa, number of entries permitted, and purpose of travel vary according to the visa code and pre-approval. For tourism, conference, and electronic visa categories, the legal maximum validity is 90 days. Different maximum durations may apply for work, investment, official duty, and some family-related categories.
  • Mandatory fingerprinting or biometric data registration for all applications has not been published. The foreign mission may summon the applicant in person, conduct an interview, or request additional documents and explanations when deemed necessary.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • The transit passenger must have a valid passport or international travel document, an onward ticket appropriate for the journey to a third country, and, where necessary, a valid visa for the country of destination. Passengers benefiting from visa exemption of the destination country are not required to have a third-country visa.
  • A passenger who does not leave the transit area while waiting for a flight connection at an international airport is exempt from a Viet Nam transit visa. The passenger must remain in the international transit area designated by the authorized authority during the waiting period.
  • A sea passenger who remains in the transit area of the port during the ship's waiting period at an international seaport is also exempt from a transit visa. The passenger must not proceed to the interior of Viet Nam.
  • If a passenger in transit by air or sea wishes to enter Viet Nam for a tour or sightseeing, the program must be arranged by a licensed international travel business in Viet Nam. The passenger may be issued a limited visa appropriate for the transit duration.
  • The fee for the air or sea transit tour visa issued to a transit passenger is 5 USD per person. This fee is only for the special visa applicable to passengers entering Viet Nam during transit under the program of an authorized travel business.
  • If a passenger in transit by sea will depart from a different Viet Nam border gate than the port where the ship is located, the passenger may be considered for a VR-coded visa. The visa's duration, route, and exit gate where it can be used are determined according to the pre-approved travel plan.
  • A general online transit visa application form directly usable by an individual passenger for exiting the transit area has not been published. The process is conducted through the licensed Viet Nam travel business and border authorities.
  • The photograph dimensions, number of blank pages in the passport, individual application period, and payment method for the transit tour visa are not specified definitively in the central official source. The travel business or the relevant border gate must communicate the required passenger information and documents in advance.
Population
102,177,431(2026 est.)
Official language
Vietnamese
Government type
One-party socialist republic
Continent
Asia
Capital
Hanoi
Currency
Vietnamese dong
Area
331,690 km²
Phone code
+84

Viet Nam: Key Destinations

Hanoi, the capital, and Ho Chi Minh City are the primary gateways for international visitors. Da Nang serves as a key hub for central Viet Nam.

The ancient town of Hoi An and the imperial citadel of Hue highlight the country's cultural heritage. Halong Bay offers striking limestone karsts and cruising routes.

Many travelers start in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and travel between the two via train or domestic flights. The journey often includes stops in Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An.