Vietnam visa exemption - Vietnam visa-free countries list 2026

Vietnam currently grants visa-free entry to citizens of selected countries under unilateral and bilateral visa exemption policies. Travelers from 13 unilateral visa exemption countries—including Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and several Nordic countries—can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa. In addition, citizens of ASEAN countries and a few others enjoy bilateral visa exemption, allowing stays from 14 to 30 days, while some nationalities such as Chile may stay even longer. These policies help visitors enter Vietnam easily for tourism or short-term purposes without applying for a visa in advance.

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Vietnam visa exemption policy: The two main categories

Unilateral visa exemption

A unilateral visa exemption means Vietnam grants visa-free entry to citizens of specific countries, but Vietnamese citizens may still need a visa to visit those countries.

As of the current policy used by Vietnamese embassies, Vietnam provides unilateral visa exemption (45 days) for citizens of these 13 countries:

Russia

Japan

South Korea

Norway

Finland

Denmark

Sweden

United Kingdom

France

Germany

Spain

Italy

Belarus

How long can you stay?

Up to 45 days (counted from the entry date), for eligible passport holders.

Bilateral visa exemption

A bilateral visa exemption is based on an agreement: Vietnam grants visa-free entry to citizens of certain countries, and those countries grant visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens under the terms of the agreement.

Bilateral agreements often come with different stay lengths depending on nationality (commonly 14–30 days, and in some cases up to 90 days).

>>> Read more: Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA): The Complete 2026 Guide

Vietnam visa exemption countries list by allowed stay length

Visa-free Vietnam: Up to 45 days

This applies to the unilateral exemption group listed above (13 countries).

Best for: short holidays, quick family visits, short business trips that fit within permitted visa-free purposes.

Visa-free Vietnam: 14–30 days (common bilateral exemptions)

For many travelers, the most familiar visa-free group is ASEAN, where Vietnam grants visa-free entry for 14–30 days, depending on nationality.

ASEAN countries commonly listed for visa-free Vietnam entry include:

Brunei

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

Myanmar

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

Typical stay lengths seen in official summaries:

Brunei and Myanmar: 14 days

Philippines: 21 days

Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand: 30 days

Practical note: exact stay length and conditions can vary by passport type and agreement terms, so travelers should verify based on nationality and passport category before flying.

Visa-free Vietnam: up to 90 days (selected countries under agreements)

Some bilateral arrangements allow longer visa-free stays. For example, Chile has an established visa-free arrangement with Vietnam referenced by Vietnam tourism and embassy communications.

Key entry rules for Vietnam visa-free travelers

Passport validity

Airlines and immigration commonly require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry, and you should have enough blank pages for entry/exit stamps. (If you’re unsure, check before departure—airlines can deny boarding if they believe your documents don’t meet entry conditions.)

Purpose of entry

Visa exemption is generally used for short-term travel (tourism, family visits, short business activities). If your purpose is employment, long-term study, or long-term residence, visa-free entry is usually the wrong route—use the correct visa or residence process.

Length of stay and overstays

Visa-free stays are strictly time-limited. Overstaying can lead to fines, delays, and complications for future Vietnam entries. If you may need more time, plan an appropriate visa option before you fly.

>>> Read more: Do Taiwanese citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam 2026

If visa-free is not enough: best alternatives

Option 1: Vietnam e-visa

If your nationality is eligible, a Vietnam e-visa is often the simplest upgrade when you need more days than your visa-free allowance or you want clearer documentation before travel.

Click the link below to learn the full visa requirements and application process.

Option 2: extend or change status

Some travelers look for extensions or status changes after arrival. This depends on your entry type and current rules at the time you apply. If your schedule is tight, handle this early—don’t wait until the last week.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Airport Fast Track Service 2026 – Skip the Lines, Save Time

FAQ

Which countries are visa-free for Vietnam right now?

Vietnam currently applies visa exemption through unilateral and bilateral policies. The best-known unilateral group covers 13 countries with 45-day stays, including Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Russia, and Belarus.

How many days can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?

It depends on your nationality and the specific exemption policy:

Up to 45 days for the unilateral exemption group (13 countries).
Many bilateral exemptions range 14–30 days, and some cases go up to 90 days (e.g., Chile in official tourism/embassy references).

Do ASEAN citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Many ASEAN passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free under bilateral/regional arrangements, with stay limits commonly in the 14–30 day range depending on nationality.

If you’re a foreigner and want to confirm whether you qualify for visa exemption, how many days you can stay, or what the best option is for a longer trip (e-visa, visa extension strategy, family visit, business entry), call 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) for quick support from Tân Văn Lang. We’ll check your case and guide you with the correct route so you avoid airline check-in issues and entry delays.