Vietnam’s tourism policy in 2026 is more welcoming than ever. To stimulate international travel, the government has expanded the list of countries eligible for Visa-Free entry, with some nationalities allowed to stay for up to 45 days without any paperwork.
Before you apply for an E-visa, consult this official 2026 exemption guide to see if your passport grants you free entry into the “S-shaped land.”
Table of Contents
1. 45-Day Visa Exemption (New for 2026)
This is the most significant update. Citizens from the following countries can enter Vietnam for up to 45 days (single entry) without a visa, regardless of their purpose of entry:
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Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belarus.
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Asia: South Korea, Japan.
⚠️ Note for Travelers: If you wish to stay longer than 45 days or need to enter/exit multiple times, you must still apply for a 90-day E-visa.
2. ASEAN & Regional Exemptions
Citizens of Southeast Asian and regional partner countries enjoy different exemption periods:
3. The 5-Year Visa Exemption (For Overseas Vietnamese)
This specialized category is for Viet Kieu (Overseas Vietnamese) and their family members (spouses and children), including those living in Mexico, USA, or Canada.
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Validity: 5 years (Multiple entry).
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Stay Duration: Up to 180 days per entry.
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Requirements: You must apply for a “Visa Exemption Certificate” (physical sticker or paper) at the Consulate or Embassy.
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How to get it: If you are in Mexico City, visit our for instructions on legalizing your birth or marriage certificates to qualify.
4. Phu Quoc Island Special Exemption
Regardless of your nationality, all international travelers can visit Phu Quoc Island for up to 30 days visa-free, provided that:
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You arrive via an international flight (or cruise ship) directly to Phu Quoc.
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You do not leave the island to visit other parts of Vietnam (like Hanoi or HCMC).
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Your passport is valid for 6 months.
5. Mandatory Conditions for Visa-Free Entry
Even if your country is exempt, you must meet these criteria at the border:
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Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the entry date.
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Exit Proof: You may be asked to show a return flight ticket or a ticket to a third country.
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Gap Rule: As of 2026, the previous “30-day gap” between two visa-free entries has been abolished. You can re-enter Vietnam under exemption immediately after leaving.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I am a Mexican citizen, am I exempt? A: No. Mexico is not currently on the visa-free list for 2026. However, you can easily apply for a online.
Q: Can I extend my 45-day exemption stay while in Vietnam? A: Extensions for visa-exempt stays are strictly limited. If you plan to stay longer, it is much cheaper and easier to apply for a 90-day E-visa before you arrive.
Q: What happens if I overstay my exemption? A: Overstaying in Vietnam is a serious administrative offense. Fines in 2026 have increased, and you may face a temporary travel ban. Always check your exit date carefully.
| COUNTRY | TYPE OF PASSPORT | Duration of stay | Date of entry into force | ||||
| Diplomatic | Official/ Service/ Special | Ordinary (for official purpose) | Ordinary | Seaman | |||
| Armenia | x | x | 90 days | 06-Aug-12 | |||
| Afghanistan (Islamic State) | x | x | not stipulated | 26-Feb-88 | |||
| Albania (Republic) | x | x | not stipulated | 1-Oct-56 | |||
| Algeria (People’s Democratic Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 2-Jan-95 | |||
| Angola | x | x | 30 days | 3-Apr-08 | |||
| Argentina (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 13-Nov-99 | |||
| Azerbaijan | x | x | 1 month | 21-Aug-10 | |||
| Bangladesh (People’s Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 10-Jul-99 | |||
| 10-Jul-99Belarus (Republic) | x | x | not stipulated | 24-Nov-93 | |||
| Brazil (Federative Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 8-Jul-09 | |||
| Brunei Darussalam | x | x | x | 14 days | 1-Aug-07 | ||
| Bulgaria (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 12-Dec-10 | |||
| Cambodia (Kingdom) | x | x | x | not stipulated for Diplomatic & Official passports/30 days for Ordinary passport | 30-Nov-79 5-Dec-08 |
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| Chile (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 25-Jun-05 | |||
| China (People’s Republic) | x | x | x | 30 days | 15-Mar-92 | ||
| Colombia (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 28-Mar-12 | |||
| Croatia (Republic) | x | x | 30 days | 27-Mar-10 | |||
| Cuba (Republic) | x | x | x | x | not stipulated | 31-Aug-81 | |
| Czech (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 13-Feb-00 | |||
| Denmark (Kingdom) | x | x | x | 15 days | 1-May-05 | ||
| Dominican (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 29-Sep-07 | |||
| Ecuador (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 19-Sep-07 | |||
| Egypt | x | x | 90 days | 8-Aug-11 | |||
| El Salvador (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 30-May-11 | |||
| Estonia | x | x | 90 days | 20-May-14 | |||
| Finland (Republic) | x | x | x | 15 days | 1-May-05 | ||
| France (Republic) | x | x | 03 month | 1-Jul-05 | |||
| Germany | x | x | 90 days | 1-Nov-13 | |||
| Hungary (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 1-Aug-93 | |||
| India (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 23-Mar-95 | |||
| Indonesia (Republic) | x | x | x | 30 days | 19-Sep-98 | ||
| Iran (Islamic Republic) | x | x | 01 month | 1-Jun-94 | |||
| Iraq (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 1-Dec-01 | |||
| Israel | x | x | 90 days | 06-Dec-12 | |||
| Italy | x | x | 90 days | 20-Jan-12 | |||
| Japan | x | x | x | 90 days for Diplomatic and Official passport/15 days for ordinary passport | 1-May-05 1-Jul-04 |
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| Kazakhstan (Republic) | x | x | 30 days | 11-Apr-10 | |||
| Korea (Democratic People’s Republic) | x | x | not stipulated | 1-Oct-56 | |||
| Korea (Republic) | x | x | x | 90 days for Diplomatic and Official passport/15 days for ordinary passport | 13-Jan-99 1-Jul-04 |
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| Kyrgyzstan (Republic) | x | x | x | not stipulated | 15-Jul-81 | ||
| Laos (People’s Democratic Republic) | x | x | x | x | 30 days | 17-Jul-77 5-Mar-04 |
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| Malaysia | x | x | x | 30 days | 25-Nov-01 | ||
| Mexico (United States) | x | x | 90 days | 4-Feb-02 | |||
| Myanma | x | x | x | 90 days | 26-Oct-13 | ||
| Moldova (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 23-May-03 | |||
| Mongolia | x | x | 90 days | 6-Feb-00 | |||
| Montenegro | x | x | 90 days | 1-Sep-00 | |||
| Morocco (Kingdom) | x | x | 90 days | 19-Dec-04 | |||
| Mozambique (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 9-Feb-09 | |||
| Myanmar (Union) | x | x | 30 days | 11-Aug-98 | |||
| Nicaragua (Republic) | x | x | not stipulated | 14-Mar-83 | |||
| Norway (Kingdom) | x | x | x | 15 days | 1-May-05 | ||
| Pakistan (Islamic Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 2-Mar-07 | |||
| Panama (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 4-Nov-02 | |||
| Paraguay (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 26-Oct-08 | |||
| Peru (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 2-Jun-06 | |||
| Philippines (Republic) | x | x | x | 21 days for ordinary passport | 1-Apr-00 | ||
| Poland | x | x | 90 days | 14-Mar-12 | |||
| Romania | x | x | not stipulated | 1-Dec-56 | |||
| Russia (Federation) | x | x | x | 90 days for Diplomatic and Official passport/15 days for ordinary passport | 20-Feb-1994 (amended 02-Jan-2005) 1-Jan-09 |
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| Serbia | x | x | 90 days | 1-Sep-00 | |||
| Seychelles | x | x | 90 days | 02-Dec-12 | |||
| Singapore (Republic) | x | x | x | x | 90 days for Diplomatic and Official passport/15 days for ordinary passport | 10-May-97 1-Dec-03 |
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| Slovak (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 24-Feb-07 | |||
| Slovenia | x | x | 90 days | 23-Jan-11 | |||
| South Africa (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 23-Jun-07 | |||
| Spain (Kingdom) | x | x | 90 days | 31-Aug-10 | |||
| Sri Lanka (Democratic Socialist Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 19-Sep-03 | |||
| Sweden (Kingdom) | x | x | x | 15 days | 1-May-05 | ||
| Switzerland (Confederation) | x | x | 90 days | 16-Aug-09 | |||
| Tanzania (United Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 23-Feb-11 | |||
| Thailand (Kingdom) | x | x | x | 30 days | 20-Feb-04 | ||
| Tunisia (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 21-Jan-09 | |||
| Turkey (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 7-Jun-07 | |||
| Ukraine | x | x | x | x | 90 days for Diplomatic and Official passport/15 days for ordinary passport | 6-Dec-93 | |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | x | x | 90 days | 22-Jul-11 | |||
| Uruguay (Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 15-Jun-08 | |||
| Uzbekistan | x | x | 60 days | 4-Jun-10 | |||
| Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic) | x | x | 90 days | 17-Nov-06 | |||
