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Vietnam Visa Exemption — 2026 Complete Guide
Vietnam Visa Exemption 2026: Do You Need an eVisa? 39 Exempt Countries, Resolution 229 Update, 30-Day Gap Rule Removed & Schengen Warning
39 nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for 14 to 90 days. The 30-day re-entry gap has been removed — you can re-enter immediately after leaving. Three critical facts most travelers miss: (1) Schengen membership does not equal Vietnam visa exemption — Austria, Greece, Ireland, Portugal still need eVisa. (2) US, Canadian, and Australian citizens have no exemption — eVisa required every trip. (3) 12 new EU countries added August 2025 — Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and 8 others.
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Exempt countries
39 nations
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eVisa (all others)
From $90
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Do You Need an eVisa?
Find Your Passport Nationality — 3 Possible Answers
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No eVisa needed
39 nationalities
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Your passport is on the exemption list — just show up with a valid passport
UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland (45 days) • Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg (45 days, tourism) • All 9 ASEAN countries (30 days) • Chile, Panama (30 days). No form, no fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid 6+ months from Vietnam arrival.
Re-entry gap rule removed — you can exit and re-enter immediately for a new exemption period.
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eVisa required
All other nationalities
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Your passport is not on the exemption list — apply for eVisa before travel
US, Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and all other nationalities not listed. eVisa covers up to 90 days, valid at 83 entry points. Apply at evisa.gov.vn ($25 govt fee, 3–5 days standard) or via VietnamVisaEasy from $90 for expedited service. No on-arrival option for most nationalities without pre-arranged approval.
Apply eVisa — From $90
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Special cases
Phu Quoc / ABTC / CVE
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Special exemptions that apply regardless of nationality
Phu Quoc Island: Any foreign national arriving directly from abroad (not from mainland Vietnam) gets 30 days visa-free, for stays limited to the island. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Valid card holders enter visa-free for up to 60 days. Certificate of Visa Exemption (CVE): Vietnamese-origin foreign nationals and their spouse/children — 180 days per visit, 5-year certificate, unlimited entries.
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Schengen Area membership does NOT equal Vietnam visa exemption
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Schengen countries that ARE exempt
Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia — all 45 days.
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Schengen countries that still need eVisa
Austria, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, San Marino — eVisa required despite Schengen membership.
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Vietnam grants exemptions by specific government resolution per nationality — not by regional bloc. Always verify your specific passport, not your Schengen or EU membership status.
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Full Country List
All 39 Visa-Exempt Nationalities — Grouped by Resolution
Group 1 — Resolution 44/NQ-CP (effective March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028) — 45 days, any purpose
| Country |
Stay allowed |
Purpose |
Valid until |
| Germany, France, Italy, Spain | 45 days | Any | March 14, 2028 |
| United Kingdom | 45 days | Any | March 14, 2028 |
| Russia | 45 days | Any | March 14, 2028 |
| Japan, South Korea | 45 days | Any | March 14, 2028 |
| Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | 45 days | Any | March 14, 2028 |
Group 2 — Resolution 229/NQ-CP (effective August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028) — 45 days, tourism only
| Country |
Stay allowed |
Purpose |
Valid until |
| Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg | 45 days | Tourism only | August 14, 2028 |
| Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia | 45 days | Tourism only | August 14, 2028 |
| Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria | 45 days | Tourism only | August 14, 2028 |
| Slovenia, Croatia | 45 days | Tourism only | August 14, 2028 |
| Switzerland | 45 days | Tourism only | August 14, 2028 |
Tourism only note: Resolution 229 exemption applies to tourism purposes. If traveling for business meetings, attending events, or signing contracts (without receiving a Vietnamese salary), apply for the standard eVisa to avoid any ambiguity at immigration. Group 1 (Resolution 44) countries have no such purpose restriction. |
Group 3 — ASEAN bilateral agreements — 30 days
| Country |
Stay allowed |
Notes |
| Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia | 30 days | Multiple entry |
| Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei | 30 days | Multiple entry |
| Philippines | 21 days | Different bilateral agreement |
| Chile, Panama | 30 days | Bilateral agreements. Chile/Panama also have 90-day option under separate treaty. |
Key Rule Updates 2025–2026
Three Rules Most Travelers Still Think Are Different
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Update 1 — Gap rule removed
30-day re-entry interval: gone
Old rule: 30-day wait between two visa-exemption stays. Removed under Law 51/2019/QH14. You can now exit Vietnam and re-enter the same day or the next day on a fresh exemption. No mandatory gap. Frequent same-day crossings may draw scrutiny but are not prohibited.
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Update 2 — 12 new EU countries
Resolution 229: Belgium, Netherlands, Poland + 9 more
Effective August 15, 2025. 12 European countries joined the exemption list for tourism, 45 days. Previously required eVisa. Valid until August 14, 2028. Applies to tourism purpose. Business travelers from these countries should use eVisa for clarity.
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Update 3 — Stay cannot be extended
Visa-exemption stay is non-extendable
Visa-exemption stays cannot be extended inside Vietnam. Options: (1) Do a border run and re-enter on a fresh exemption period. (2) Apply for a 90-day eVisa before or during your stay for a longer, extendable permission. The eVisa is available even to exempt nationalities.
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Exemption vs eVisa
When to Use Exemption vs When to Apply for eVisa (Even If Exempt)
| Situation |
Use exemption |
Apply for eVisa instead |
Reason |
| Tourism, 45 days or less | Use exemption | — | Simpler. No form, no fee, no wait. |
| Stay longer than 45 days | — | Apply eVisa (90 days) | Exemption is 45 days max, non-extendable. |
| Business trip (Res. 229 countries) | Risky — tourism only | Apply eVisa | Res. 229 says tourism. Avoid ambiguity. |
| Need proof of legal status | — | Apply eVisa | For bank accounts, landlords, employers. eVisa stamp = verifiable status. |
| Frequent re-entries / long-term residency | Caution | Apply eVisa | Officers may question using exemption for de facto long-term residency. |
| US / Canadian / Australian passport | Not eligible | Apply eVisa — required | No exemption for these nationalities. Every entry. |
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Vietnam in 2026? ▼
No. UK passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 45 days per entry for any purpose including tourism and business meetings (not paid employment). Valid until March 14, 2028. No form, no fee. Show valid passport with 6+ months validity. Pre-Arrival Form still required at SGN, HAN, DAD, and CXR.
Do US, Canadian, or Australian citizens need a Vietnam visa? ▼
Yes — eVisa required every trip. No exemption for US, Canadian, or Australian passport holders. Apply at evisa.gov.vn or via VietnamVisaEasy from $90. This applies even for cruise stopovers and short visits.
Is the 30-day re-entry gap between two visa-exemption stays still required? ▼
No — removed. The 30-day interval was abolished under Law 51/2019/QH14. You can exit Vietnam and re-enter the same day or next day for a fresh exemption period. Very frequent same-day crossings may draw scrutiny but are not banned.
I am Belgian/Dutch/Polish — am I now visa-free for Vietnam? ▼
Yes for tourism. Resolution 229/NQ-CP (effective August 15, 2025) grants 45-day visa-free entry for Belgian, Dutch, Polish, Swiss, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Slovenian, Croatian, and Luxembourgish citizens for tourism purposes. For business trips apply for an eVisa to avoid ambiguity. Valid until August 14, 2028.
I am an Austrian / Greek / Irish / Portuguese citizen — am I visa-free for Vietnam? ▼
No. Despite Schengen or EU membership, Austria, Greece, Ireland, and Portugal are not on Vietnam’s exemption list. An eVisa is required. Apply at evisa.gov.vn or via VietnamVisaEasy from $90. Vietnam grants exemptions per nationality, not per regional bloc.
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Exempt? Check 30-day gap is gone and Pre-Arrival Form is still required. Not exempt? eVisa from $90.
39 exempt countries • 30-day gap removed • Schengen ≠ exempt • Pre-arrival form required at SGN/HAN/DAD/CXR • US/CA/AU = eVisa every trip
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Apply eVisa — From $90
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