Vietnam Visa Exemption Guide: 45-Day Stays, eVisa Options, and Phu Quoc Rules

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, checking whether your passport allows visa-free entry is the first step. Vietnam grants visa-free entry to selected nationalities for different stay limits, commonly ranging from 14 to 45 days depending on passport and route.

TL;DR: Vietnam visa-free stays depend on passport and route: many eligible travelers get 45 days, ASEAN stays commonly range from 14 to 30 days, and qualifying Phu Quoc-only visitors can stay for up to 30 days. Non-exempt travelers can consider the official eVisa route at evisa.gov.vn (USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry, up to 90 days) or another visa category that fits their trip.

This guide summarizes Vietnam's current government visa-exemption notices, eVisa rules, and official fees.

Direct Answer: Essential Vietnam Entry Requirements & Visa Fees

Who Can Enter Vietnam Visa-Free?

The 45-Day Visa Exemption List

Vietnam offers a 45-day visa-free stay under Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP to citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. This policy runs from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028, and replaces Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP from March 15, 2025. Belarus appeared in the previous list but is not part of this Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP unilateral 45-day exemption list.

Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP establishes a separate 45-day exemption for tourism-purpose entry, effective from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028, for Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

Always verify your passport on the official Vietnam visa requirements page before booking. Do not rely on copied lists from agencies or old forum screenshots.

The ASEAN Visa Exemption List (14 to 30 Days)

If you hold a passport from an ASEAN member state, you can enter Vietnam visa-free under bilateral agreements:

• 30 Days: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar.
• 21 Days: Philippines.
• 14 Days: Brunei.

Options for US, China, and Australia Passport Holders

If you hold a passport from the United States, China, or Australia, you do not qualify for Vietnam's general nationality-based visa exemption. An eVisa is one official option, but it is not the only possible visa category; choose the route that matches your purpose and eligibility.

• Official Fees: The official government fees are USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa. Apply through evisa.gov.vn if you want to use the government portal directly; third-party services may charge additional service fees.
• Validity: It is valid for up to 90 days for either single or multiple entries.
• The Phu Quoc Exception: Qualifying international visitors can stay on Phu Quoc Island (PQC) visa-free for up to 30 days if they arrive directly from abroad or transit through a Vietnamese international air or sea entry point and continue directly to Phu Quoc. The exemption does not cover travel to other parts of Vietnam.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa Safely

If your passport is not covered by a suitable visa exemption, use the official Vietnamese government immigration portal when applying directly. A commercial intermediary may charge a separate service fee. Review every field in the official form before payment.

If you are not covered by visa-free entry, or your trip exceeds the allowed visa-free stay, consider the official eVisa route or another visa category that fits your purpose and eligibility. If you choose eVisa, start with the Vietnam eVisa official website guide and the before-apply checklist before paying any fee.

Before Travel:

1. Check the passport-validity rule for your visa or exemption route.
2. Confirm that the permitted stay and entry points match your itinerary.
3. Keep the visa, onward-travel, and accommodation evidence requested for your route available for airline and border checks.

References

To verify the latest visa exemptions or apply for your official documents, consult these official Vietnamese government portals:

• Official Government E-Visa Portal: https://evisa.gov.vn
• Government Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP, 12-country 45-day exemption: Government notice
• Government Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, tourism-stimulus 45-day exemption: Government notice
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-exemption table: Current official table
• Government Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP, eVisa eligibility for all countries and territories: Government notice
• Vietnam Tourism eVisa fees and validity: Official application guide
• Vietnam tourism authority FAQ, including Phu Quoc entry routes: Official FAQ