Vietnam Visa Exemptions: Am I Visa-Free?

Am I Visa-Free for Vietnam?

You may not need a Vietnam visa at all.

Vietnam currently provides visa-free entry to citizens of certain countries under bilateral agreements and unilateral visa-exemption policies. In particular, 24 countries currently benefit from 45-day visa-free entry under two major government policies introduced through Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP and Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP.

Your eligibility depends on your passport, the purpose of your visit, the permitted length of stay and Vietnam's entry requirements.

Vietnam Visa-Free Countries: 45-Day Exemption

Vietnam currently provides up to 45 days of visa-free stay to citizens of 24 countries under two separate exemption policies.

Countries Covered by Resolution 44

Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP, issued on March 7, 2025, provides visa exemption for citizens of 12 countries for stays of up to 45 days from the date of entry.

These countries are:

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

The important advantage of this policy is that the exemption applies regardless of passport type and purpose of entry, provided the traveler meets Vietnam's legal entry conditions.

The policy applies from March 15, 2025 through March 14, 2028.

What Changed Under Resolution 44?

Resolution 44 replaced earlier unilateral visa-exemption arrangements and established a renewed 45-day visa-free policy for these 12 countries.

For eligible travelers, this means a separate Vietnam visa is generally not required for a stay of up to 45 days, whether the visit is for tourism or another permitted purpose.

Travelers should still make sure their passport and other entry conditions meet Vietnamese requirements before departure.

Countries Added Under Resolution 229

Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP introduced another group of 12 European countries under Vietnam's Tourism Development Stimulus Program.

Citizens of the following countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism:

• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Switzerland

This policy applies from August 15, 2025 through August 14, 2028.

Unlike Resolution 44, this particular exemption is specifically for tourism purposes.

What Changed Under Resolution 229?

Resolution 229 significantly expanded Vietnam's 45-day tourism visa exemption by adding 12 European countries.

This replaced the temporary 2025 tourism exemption that had previously covered Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

The new 12-country policy brought the total number of countries covered by Vietnam's two major 45-day unilateral exemption policies to 24.

For travelers from the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic and the other countries in this group, the purpose of travel is especially important because the Resolution 229 exemption is tied to tourism.

Vietnam Visa Exemption: The 24 Countries at a Glance

Vietnam Visa-Free Entry for ASEAN Countries

Vietnam also has visa-exemption arrangements with ASEAN countries.

For ordinary passport holders, the general visa-free periods are:

• Brunei: up to 14 days
• Philippines: up to 21 days
• Cambodia: up to 30 days
• Indonesia: up to 14 days (reduced from 30 days with effect from July 15, 2026)
• Laos: up to 30 days
• Malaysia: up to 30 days
• Myanmar: durations have varied; check the current rules before you travel
• Singapore: up to 30 days
• Thailand: up to 30 days
• Timor-Leste: check the current rules before you travel

ASEAN visa exemption rules are separate from the 24-country 45-day policies described above.

The exact conditions can differ according to passport type and bilateral arrangements, so travelers should check the applicable rule for their nationality before traveling.

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Do I Need a Vietnam Visa If I Am From the UK?

UK citizens are currently eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam for up to 45 days under Resolution 44, provided they satisfy Vietnam's entry conditions.

This exemption is not limited to tourism and is scheduled to remain in effect through March 14, 2028.

British National Overseas passport holders should not assume they receive the same exemption as British citizens holding eligible passports.

Do Germans and French Citizens Need a Vietnam Visa?

German and French citizens are eligible for up to 45 days of visa-free entry under Resolution 44.

The exemption applies regardless of the purpose of entry, subject to Vietnam's entry requirements.

If you plan to stay beyond the permitted visa-free period, you should arrange an appropriate visa or immigration solution before your permitted stay expires.

Do Dutch Citizens Need a Vietnam Visa?

Dutch citizens can currently enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days when traveling for tourism under Resolution 229.

The exemption applies from August 15, 2025 through August 14, 2028, subject to the applicable entry requirements.

For business, work or other purposes, travelers should check whether a different visa or immigration authorization is required.

Do Polish Citizens Need a Vietnam Visa?

Polish citizens can currently receive visa-free entry for tourism for up to 45 days under Resolution 229.

The current policy replaced the earlier temporary tourism exemption that applied to Poland under Resolution 11.

If your purpose of travel is business, employment or another activity rather than tourism, do not automatically assume that the 45-day tourism exemption applies.

Passport Requirements for Vietnam Visa Exemption

Visa-free travelers must still satisfy Vietnam's entry requirements.

For the 45-day unilateral exemptions, travelers generally need:

• A valid passport issued by an eligible country
• A passport that remains valid well beyond the intended stay (at least 6 months of validity is commonly recommended; check the current requirement before you travel)
• No circumstances that would make the traveler ineligible for entry under Vietnamese law
• Compliance with the conditions applicable to the specific visa-exemption policy

Visa-free does not mean that passport and immigration requirements disappear.

What If My Country Is Not Visa-Free?

If your passport is not covered by a visa-exemption arrangement, you may still be eligible for a Vietnam E-Visa.

Vietnam's E-Visa system is available to citizens of all countries and territories and can provide up to 90 days of single or multiple entry.

For travelers who need a visa, the Vietnam E-Visa can therefore be an alternative to visa-free entry.

Vietnam Visa Exemption vs Vietnam E-Visa

Visa exemption and an E-Visa are not the same.

Visa-free entry allows an eligible traveler to enter Vietnam without first obtaining a visa, subject to the applicable exemption conditions.

An E-Visa is an electronic visa that must be obtained before travel.

If your passport qualifies for visa-free entry and your planned stay fits within the permitted period, you generally do not need to apply for an E-Visa simply to enter Vietnam.

If your passport is not visa-exempt, an E-Visa may be the appropriate option.

What If I Want to Stay Longer Than 45 Days?

If your visa-free period is not long enough for your trip, do not simply remain in Vietnam after your permitted stay expires.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to obtain an appropriate visa, make a new visa arrangement or leave Vietnam and return with the correct immigration authorization.

Planning before the visa-free period expires can help avoid overstay problems and unnecessary travel disruption.

Important: Visa-Free Does Not Mean Unlimited Stay

A visa exemption only permits a stay for the period and purpose allowed under the applicable exemption.

For example, a traveler eligible for a 45-day exemption cannot automatically remain in Vietnam for 60 or 90 days without another appropriate immigration arrangement.

Always calculate your permitted stay from your actual date of entry.

Need a Vietnam E-Visa Instead?

If your passport is not eligible for visa-free entry, you may still be able to apply for a Vietnam E-Visa.

You can learn more about eligibility, documents, validity and application requirements on our Vietnam E-Visa page.

Vietnam Visa Exemption FAQ

Which countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for 45 days?

Twenty-four countries currently benefit from the two major 45-day unilateral exemption policies: 12 countries under Resolution 44 and 12 additional European countries under Resolution 229.

Does the UK have visa-free entry to Vietnam?

Yes. UK citizens are eligible for up to 45 days of visa-free entry under Resolution 44, subject to Vietnam's entry requirements.

Does Germany have visa-free entry to Vietnam?

Yes. German citizens are eligible for up to 45 days under Resolution 44.

Does France have visa-free entry to Vietnam?

Yes. French citizens are eligible for up to 45 days under Resolution 44.

Is the Netherlands visa-free for Vietnam?

Yes, for tourism. Dutch citizens are eligible for up to 45 days under Resolution 229, subject to the conditions of that tourism exemption.

Is Poland visa-free for Vietnam?

Yes, for tourism. Polish citizens are eligible for up to 45 days under Resolution 229.

How long can ASEAN citizens stay in Vietnam without a visa?

The period depends on nationality. Brunei ordinary passport holders generally receive 14 days, Philippine ordinary passport holders 21 days, while several other ASEAN countries receive 30 days.

Do I need a Vietnam E-Visa if my country is visa-free?

Not normally for a trip that qualifies under the applicable visa-exemption rules and remains within the permitted stay. However, travelers must still meet Vietnam's entry requirements.

What happens if I want to stay longer than my visa-free period?

You should arrange the appropriate immigration solution before your permitted stay expires. Do not assume that a visa-free stay automatically converts into a longer visa period.

Check Your Vietnam Visa Status Before You Travel

Not sure whether your passport is visa-free for Vietnam?

Check your nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and planned length of stay before booking your trip.

If you qualify for visa exemption, you may be able to travel without applying for a Vietnam visa.

If you do not qualify, a Vietnam E-Visa may provide a straightforward alternative for an eligible stay.

Start by checking your passport eligibility and choose the correct Vietnam entry option before you travel.

Start My Vietnam E-Visa Application