Good news first: getting into Vietnam has never been easier. In the last few years the country has opened visa-free entry to many more nationalities, and everyone else can apply for an e-visa online in a few minutes, without visiting an embassy.
The not-so-good news is that the rules depend on your passport, and they change fairly often. Every month we meet guests in Hanoi who nearly got stuck at check-in because they assumed they didn’t need a visa, or paid three times the price on a look-alike website.
This guide explains, in plain English, who needs a visa for Vietnam in 2026, how the e-visa works and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Important: visa rules change. The information below is correct as of September 2026, but always confirm with the official Vietnamese e-visa portal (evisa.gov.vn) or your own government’s travel advice before you book.
Do You Need a Visa for Vietnam?
There are three ways in:
- Visa-free entry: if your passport is on Vietnam’s exemption list, you just show up with a valid passport.
- E-visa: open to citizens of every country. You apply online and receive an approval letter by email.
- Visa at an embassy: only needed for special cases, such as some work or long-stay visas.
Most travelers fall into the first two groups.
Visa-Free Countries (2026)
Up to 45 days visa-free
Citizens of these countries can stay up to 45 days without a visa:
- Western Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland
- Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
- Central and Eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Russia
- Asia: Japan, South Korea
Several of these exemptions were added during 2025, and some run on government resolutions that are reviewed every few years, so double-check before you travel.
Shorter visa-free stays for Southeast Asia
Most ASEAN neighbours also enter visa-free, usually for 14 to 30 days depending on the country (for example Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines and Brunei).
Longer stays for a few countries
A small number of countries, such as Chile and Panama, have bilateral agreements allowing up to 90 days.
Special case: Phu Quoc Island
All foreign visitors can visit Phu Quoc island visa-free for up to 30 days, as long as they fly or sail there directly from abroad and don’t continue to mainland Vietnam.
Who Needs an E-Visa?
If your country isn’t listed above, you need an e-visa. That includes many of our guests from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and most of Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
Also apply for an e-visa if you want to stay longer than your visa-free period. Visa-free stays generally can’t be extended inside Vietnam.
How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa
What you get
- Stays of up to 90 days
- Single or multiple entry
- Accepted at all international airports and most land and sea border gates
Fees
The official government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It is paid online by card and is not refundable, even if the application is refused.
Processing time
Official processing takes around 3 to 5 working days, but it can be slower around public holidays, especially Tet (Lunar New Year). Apply two to four weeks before your trip, and never leave it to the last few days.
Step by step
- Go to the official portal: evisa.gov.vn.
- Upload a clear photo of your passport data page and a recent passport-style photo (white background, no glasses).
- Fill in your details: travel dates, entry and exit points (for example Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi), and the address where you’ll stay.
- Pay the fee and save your registration code.
- Check the status online, then download and print the approved e-visa. Keep a copy on your phone too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a copycat website
Search “Vietnam e-visa” and you’ll find dozens of agency sites that look official and charge US$60 to US$150 or more for the same US$25 visa. The only official government site ends in .gov.vn. Agencies can help with urgent cases, but you pay extra for it.
Typos in your application
Your e-visa must match your passport exactly: name, date of birth, passport number and nationality. One wrong letter can mean being refused boarding. Check everything twice before paying.
Wrong entry dates or border gate
Your e-visa is valid only between the dates you applied for. Choose dates that cover your whole trip, with a small buffer, and make sure you list the airport or border crossing you actually plan to use.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive, with blank pages for stamps.
Overstaying
Overstaying, even by a day, leads to fines and delays at the airport. Know your exit date and plan your last day around it.
What to Expect on Arrival
At the airport, head to the immigration counters with your passport and printed e-visa (if you need one). Queues at Hanoi’s Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat can be long at peak times, so allow extra time before any connection.
Once you’re through, pick up a local SIM or activate an eSIM (see our guide to staying connected in Vietnam), grab some cash (see our guide to money and costs in Vietnam), and book a ride with Grab or Xanh SM into town.
Already Sorted Your Visa? Plan Your First Days in Hanoi
Paperwork done, now for the good part. If Hanoi is on your route, these are the experiences our guests tell us they remember most:
- Hanoi Banh Mi Tour: a small-group street food walk through the Old Quarter, including a “ghost cart” that sells out in about three hours a day. The perfect first-day introduction to the city.
- Make 6 Iconic Vietnamese Coffees: learn egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee and more in a 100-year-old family home, and beat jet lag the local way.
- Forge in Fire: Knife Making Workshop: leave the city for Da Sy, a 400-year-old blacksmith village, and forge your own knife with the village’s only female master artisan.
For more planning help, read 18 things to know before visiting Vietnam and the best time to visit Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. US citizens are not on the visa-free list and need an e-visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days. The official fee is US$25 for single entry.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
No, for short trips. UK passport holders can stay up to 45 days visa-free. For longer stays, apply for an e-visa. British National (Overseas) passports are not covered by this exemption.
Do Australians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australian citizens need an e-visa, which can be single or multiple entry for up to 90 days.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?
Usually around 3 to 5 working days, but apply two to four weeks before travel to be safe, especially around Tet.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Vietnam?
For tourism, the e-visa has largely replaced visa on arrival. Visa on arrival still exists but requires a pre-approval letter arranged in advance, so for most travelers the e-visa is simpler and cheaper.
Can I extend my visa-free stay in Vietnam?
Generally no. If you plan to stay longer than your visa-free period, apply for an e-visa before you travel.