Vietnam Visa-Free Countries and the 45-Day Exemption

Updated 2026-07-04

"Do I need a visa for Vietnam?" is the first question every traveler asks, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on your passport. Some nationalities can now enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days; most of the world still needs an eVisa before flying. This guide lays out exactly who is exempt, for how long, and when "exempt" travelers still need an eVisa — so you know before you book. InTimeVisa can confirm your case and, if you need one, prepare the eVisa for you.

The 45-day exemption: what it is and who gets it

Vietnam's headline visa-free scheme is the 45-day exemption. The core list comes from Resolution 44/NQ-CP, which runs from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028. Citizens of these countries may enter and stay up to 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type and regardless of purpose — tourism and business both count.

The twelve nationalities under Resolution 44/NQ-CP are:

• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Russia
• Japan
• South Korea
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland

The 2025 expansion: twelve more European countries

In August 2025 Vietnam widened the 45-day scheme under Resolution 229/NQ-CP, effective 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028. Twelve additional European nationalities were added: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Together with Resolution 44/NQ-CP, that brings the 45-day list to 24 countries.

One nuance worth knowing: the expansion for this second group is framed around tourism. For most holidaymakers this makes no practical difference, but if you are traveling for work or a mixed-purpose trip and your passport is in the second group, confirm your case before you fly. Because policies are periodically renewed and adjusted, always re-check close to your travel date rather than relying on an old list.

Older exemptions: bilateral deals, Belarus and ASEAN

Alongside the 45-day scheme, Vietnam has a patchwork of older and narrower exemptions. Belarus is a long-standing case: Belarusian citizens have enjoyed unilateral visa-free entry for years, and a bilateral agreement in force from 30 January 2025 lets ordinary-passport holders of both countries travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. Several ASEAN neighbors — including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and others — have their own bilateral exemptions, typically for short stays of around 14 to 30 days.

These arrangements change more often than the flagship 45-day list and the exact day-count varies by country and passport type. If your nationality falls into this group, treat the number of visa-free days as something to verify for your specific passport rather than assume — and remember that a short exemption may not cover a longer trip.

Phu Quoc's separate 30-day rule

Phu Quoc Island has its own exemption that stands apart from everything above. Foreign nationals of any country may enter Phu Quoc visa-free for up to 30 days, provided they arrive directly at the island (by air or sea) and hold an onward ticket out within 30 days. Your passport must still be valid at least six months with blank pages.

The catch is strict: the Phu Quoc exemption is valid only on Phu Quoc. You cannot use it to fly on to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Da Nang, or otherwise travel to the mainland — that requires a proper visa or eVisa. If your plan is a Phu Quoc beach break and nothing else, the exemption is genuinely useful. If you want to see the rest of Vietnam, get an eVisa.

When "exempt" travelers still need an eVisa

Being on an exemption list does not always mean you can skip the eVisa. Two situations catch people out. First, length of stay: the exemption caps you at 45 days (or 30, or fewer, depending on the scheme). If you plan to stay longer, you need a visa — and the 90-day eVisa is the usual answer, because it can run up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.

Second, and just as important: the exemption cannot be "converted" or extended into a visa at the airport. There is no counter where you turn an expiring visa-free stay into a long visa on arrival. If you know in advance that your trip exceeds your exemption, apply for the eVisa before you depart. Sorting it at the border is not an option travelers can rely on.

Everyone else: how the 90-day eVisa works

If your passport is not on any exemption list, you need a visa — and for the vast majority of travelers that means the eVisa. This is the route for citizens of the many countries that are not exempt, including China, India and Taiwan, whose passport holders always need an eVisa (or a pre-approved visa) arranged before departure. Vietnam opened the eVisa to all nationalities on 15 August 2023.

The eVisa is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department through the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, paid to the government and non-refundable. Official processing is 3 working days for a complete application, and around 3 to 5 working days in practice.

One more thing to get right: your eVisa is valid only at the entry and exit ports you select on the form. Since December 2025, under Resolution 389/NQ-CP, the eVisa is accepted at 83 ports of entry by air, land and sea — but only the gates named on your visa. Your passport must be valid at least six months beyond your stay, undamaged, with blank pages for stamps.

In a hurry? How InTimeVisa helps

If it turns out you do need an eVisa — whether because your nationality is not exempt or because your trip runs past the visa-free window — InTimeVisa prepares and lodges the application for you, checks it for the errors that cause rejections, confirms your entry and exit gates, and tracks it to approval. When your departure is close, an express option is available for an added fee.

InTimeVisa is a private consulting firm. We are not the Vietnamese government and are not affiliated with it. You always pay the official US$25 or US$50 government fee separately, and our service fee is quoted clearly up front.