Vietnam visa: 45-day exemption and e-visa
Updated 1 November 2026 · 5 min read
In short
Citizens of the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and several other European countries can enter Vietnam visa-free for tourism for up to 45 days. US, Canadian and Australian citizens, and anyone staying longer, need an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days and applied for only on the official portal evisa.gov.vn. In every case your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival.
Who can enter without a visa?
Vietnam exempts citizens of a list of countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland, for up to 45 days, for tourism. The exemption cannot be extended in the country: if your trip is longer than 45 days, get an e-visa before you leave. Holders of British National (Overseas) passports are not covered by the UK exemption and need an e-visa.
Some exemptions are granted by Vietnamese government decision for a limited period and then renewed. Check the current rule for your nationality with the Vietnamese embassy before you book.
The e-visa: who needs it and what it costs
The e-visa is open to all nationalities. It allows a stay of up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry. At the time of writing the official fees are USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry, non-refundable if refused.
Apply for a Vietnam e-visa in 5 steps
- Go to the official portalOpen evisa.gov.vn, the Vietnamese government portal. Look-alike sites that charge service fees are not required.
- Fill in the formEnter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, with your planned entry date and entry point (airport or border).
- Upload the photosUpload a photo of your passport data page and a recent passport-style photo on a light background.
- Pay the feePay online by card. Note the application code to track your request.
- Download and printOnce approved, download the e-visa and print it to show at immigration.
On arrival
Show your passport (valid for at least 6 months), your printed e-visa if you have one, and keep your onward ticket handy: you may be asked for it. The main entry points are the airports of Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) and Da Nang.