Who Can Enter Vietnam Without A Visa?

• Do I need a visa to enter Phu Quoc Island?
• Validity of the Vietnam Visa Exemption Certificate

Although most foreign visitors to Vietnam require a visa to enter the country, citizens of a few countries can visit without the need for a visa. These visitors can stay in Vietnam for a limited period of time. The duration of the stay will vary depending on their nationality.

If you came from those countries that can enter Vietnam without a visa, all you need to bring is your passport. Upon arriving at the airport, proceed directly to the Immigration counter and show your passport. You will then be stamped for entry into the country and will indicate the number of days that you’re only allowed to stay visa-free. If you plan on staying in Vietnam for more than the allowed days, then that’s when you will apply for a visa.

Visa Exemption Requirements for Eligible Travelers

If you’re a citizen of those countries that are eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam, you need to ensure that you have the following requirements to be allowed entry into the country:

• Original copy of your passport.
• The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Vietnam.
• There should be two extra blank pages on the passport for the stamp.

Although not required, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your return ticket. There are instances when the immigration officer will ask for a copy of your return flight, which will serve as proof that you will be going out of the country after your holiday. Sometimes, they will ask for proof of accommodation so it is best to book your hotel in advance.

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash – Who Can Enter Vietnam Without A Visa –

Who Does Not Need a Visa for Vietnam?

Below is the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free entry into Vietnam:

• Belarus – 15 days
• Brunei- 14 days
• Cambodia – 30 days
• Chile – 90 days
• Denmark- 15 days
• Finland- 15 days
• France- 15 days
• Germany- 15 days
• Indonesia – 30 days
• Italy- 15 days
• Japan- 15 days
• Kyrgyzstan – 30 days
• Laos – 30 days
• Malaysia – 30 days
• Myanmar- 14 days
• Norway- 15 days
• Philippines – 21 days
• Russia- 15 days
• Singapore – 30 days
• South Korea- 15 days
• Spain- 15 days
• Sweden- 15 days
• Thailand – 30 days
• United Kingdom- 15 days

If you came from a country that’s not included on the list above, you can only enter Vietnam with a visa. You can apply for a Vietnam e-visa, Visa on Arrival, or other types of visas, depending on the nature of your visit.

Visa-Free Entry to Phu Quoc Island

The island of Phu Quoc is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Vietnam. It’s known for its beautiful beaches and has several luxury resorts where visitors can relax. To encourage more foreigners to visit Phu Quoc, Vietnam has decided to offer a visa-free entry into the island for all nationalities.

In order to be eligible for the visa-free exemption to Phu Quoc, the visitor should meet the following requirements:

• Your passport should be valid for six months from your date of arrival into the island. So if your passport will be expiring anytime soon, you need to get it renewed before traveling to Phu Quoc.
• Show a copy of your return ticket. The onward destination should be outside of Vietnam. If you intend to visit other places in Vietnam, you should have a valid visa, unless you came from any of the countries that are eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam.
• You are not in the record of INTERPOL’s crime watch list.

Things to Keep In Mind

Here are some things to keep in mind when entering Vietnam without a visa:

• Citizens from the UK are eligible for visa-free entry into the country and they can stay for up to 15 days. However, this does not apply to holders of BNO passports or British National Overseas territories. Therefore, if you are a citizen of a BNO country, you must apply for a visa before coming to Vietnam.
• Vietnamese citizens who are based overseas, along with their spouses and children are qualified to avail of the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has temporarily stopped the visa exemption for some countries. The only way to visit Vietnam at the moment is to go to the nearest embassy in your area and apply for a visa. However, Vietnam is only accepting visitors for essential visits at the moment so tourists are not yet allowed to enter.

If you plan on staying longer than the allowed period for your country’s visa exemption, you are required to apply for a visa. Currently, Vietnam is offering a visa extension for travelers who have been stuck in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.