Navigating Vietnam’s Visa Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

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Vietnam offers a range of visa options for foreign nationals, including visa exemptions for specific nationalities and circumstances, as well as an e-visa system for many others. Understanding these regulations is key to a smooth entry into the country.

General Visa Requirements and E-Visa Availability

For many nationalities, a visa is required to enter Vietnam. However, the country has implemented an e-visa system, allowing citizens of numerous countries to apply online. A comprehensive list outlines the specific visa requirements, e-visa eligibility, and any special notes (such as visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders) for nearly 200 countries and territories. For instance, countries like Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Australia, Canada, and the United States generally require a visa but can apply for an e-visa.

Visa Exemption Programs

Vietnam has several visa exemption programs in place:

1. Unilateral Visa-Free Entry:

Citizens of Russia, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy benefit from a unilateral 45-day visa exemption.

Additionally, from March 1 through December 31, 2025, nationals from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are granted a 45-day visa exemption.

It’s important to note that British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are not eligible for visa exemption under this specific regulation.

2. Country-Specific Visa-Free Durations:

• 14 days: Brunei
• 21 days: Philippines
• 30 days: Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand.
• 45 days: Belarus, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
• 90 days: Chile, Panama.

3. ASEAN Secretariat Board:

Officials and staff members of the ASEAN Secretariat Board can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, regardless of their passport type.

4. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders:

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) simplifies short-term business travel within the APEC region. Cardholders from participating economies receive a five-year entry card, allowing pre-cleared stays of up to 60 or 90 days in other member economies.

The ABTC also permits faster immigration processing at major airports in participating economies.

While Canada and the USA are temporary members and do not offer reciprocal entry, they provide fast-track immigration services at major international airports for ABTC holders.

5. Certificate of Visa Exemption:

Overseas Vietnamese or foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese can apply for a Certificate of Visa Exemption for visiting relatives or other personal matters.

• This certificate allows visa-free entry and exit.
• Holders can stay in Vietnam for up to 6 months per entry (or until the certificate expires if its validity is less than 6 months).
• A 6-month extension can be applied for with a valid reason.
• The certificate is typically valid for 5 years, which is 6 months shorter than the holder’s passport.

6. Flight Crew Members:

Vietnam has reciprocal visa waiver agreements for flight crew members from 18 countries/territories.

To be eligible, flight crew must possess a valid passport, a flight crew member card, and written confirmation of their duties.

Specific airlines and conditions apply, for example:

• Australia: Jetstar Airways crew are exempt since November 30, 2006.
• China: Chinese airline flight crew on duty have a 30-day visa exemption for normal shifts or force majeure reasons.
• France: Air France crew are exempt since March 1, 2004.
• Hong Kong: Crew from Hong Kong Airlines (since October 28, 2007), Hong Kong Express Airways (from April 30, 2011), and Cathay Pacific (from November 20, 2012) are exempt.
• Japan: Crew from Japan Airlines (since October 1st, 2002), All Nippon Airways (third-country crew from July 1, 2010), and Vanilla Air (from September 1, 2016) have exemptions.
• United States: Crew from Continental Airlines (since Dec. 15, 2011), Delta Airlines (since Jan. 30, 2010), FedEx (since June 1, 2009), and United Airlines (since Dec. 10, 2004) are exempt.
• Other countries with exemptions for their airline crews include Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Taiwan, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Switzerland.

7. Phu Quoc Island:

• The Vietnamese Government has designated the Phu Quoc Economic Zone in Kien Giang Province as a coastal economic zone under Resolution No. 80/NQ-CP.
• Foreigners can enter and stay on Phu Quoc Island for up to 30 days without a visa.
• This exemption also applies to foreigners who arrive at an international border gate of Vietnam (by air or sea) and remain in the transit area before transferring directly to Phu Quoc Island.

This summary provides an overview of Vietnam’s visa policies. Travelers are always encouraged to verify the latest regulations with official Vietnamese government sources or embassies before travel.