Published on August 16, 2025
Vietnam has expanded its visa exemption argumentation to invited travelers from 12 European countries—Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland—by granting them visa-free introduction for stays of up to 45 days. This move, effective from August 15, 2025, is designed to make it easier for visitors from these nations to research nan rich | history, culture, and earthy beauty of Vietnam. With this argumentation description , Vietnam intends to boost its tourism sector, further establishing itself arsenic a apical destination for European visitors.
Expanded List of Eligible Countries
Under Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP, nan Vietnamese authorities has extended its visa exemption argumentation to see citizens from nan pursuing 12 European countries:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
This description brings nan full number of countries eligible for Vietnam’s visa exemption to 24, enhancing nan country’s entreaty arsenic a recreation destination for European tourists.
Policy Details and Entry Conditions
The visa exemption allows citizens of nan aforementioned countries to participate Vietnam without a visa for tourism purposes, sloppy of their passport type. To qualify, travelers must meet nan pursuing conditions:
- Possess a valid mean passport pinch astatine slightest six months’ validity from nan day of entry.
- Have a return summons aliases a summons for onward recreation to different country.
- Enter Vietnam done authorized separator gates.
This argumentation will stay successful effect until August 14, 2028, providing a unchangeable and predictable model for travelers readying their visits.
Step-by-Step Guide for Applying for a Visa to Vietnam
If you’re readying a travel to Vietnam and you’re not eligible for nan visa exemption, present is simply a step-by-step guideline to thief you navigate nan visa exertion process.
Step 1: Determine nan Type of Visa You Need
Vietnam offers various types of visas depending connected nan intent of your visit. The astir communal types include:
- Tourist Visa (DL): For leisure aliases sightseeing visits.
- Business Visa (DN): For business-related activities.
- Transit Visa: For those passing done Vietnam en way to different destination.
Check nan charismatic Vietnamese authorities website aliases your nearest Vietnamese embassy/consulate to find which visa is correct for your purpose.
Step 2: Check nan Visa Exemption List
Before applying for a visa, cheque if you’re eligible for Vietnam’s visa exemption. Citizens from definite countries are allowed to participate Vietnam visa-free for short stays (usually 14 to 45 days). This includes 24 countries (including nan 12 caller ones announced for 45-day waivers) nether circumstantial conditions, specified arsenic for tourism purposes.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
To use for a Vietnam visa, you’ll request nan pursuing documents:
- Passport: A valid passport pinch astatine slightest 6 months of validity remaining from your intended day of entry.
- Visa Application Form: Complete nan visa exertion form, which tin beryllium downloaded from nan Vietnamese embassy website aliases obtained from nan embassy.
- Passport-sized Photo: A caller photograph that meets nan circumstantial requirements for nan visa.
- Visa Fee: The interest depends connected nan type and magnitude of visa. Check nan embassy’s website for nan nonstop cost.
- Additional Documents (if applicable):
- For Tourist Visas: Proof of recreation arrangements, specified arsenic a formation summons and edifice reservation.
- For Business Visas: An invitation missive from a Vietnamese institution (if applicable).
Step 4: Apply Online (E-Visa Option)
Vietnam has streamlined nan visa process pinch an e-visa strategy for citizens of eligible countries. Here’s really to use for an e-visa:
- Visit nan charismatic Vietnamese e-visa website: Go to nan Vietnam Immigration Department’s website.
- Complete nan online application: Enter your individual information, passport details, and recreation plans.
- Upload your photograph and passport scan: Upload a scanned transcript of your passport bio page and a caller passport photo.
- Pay nan e-visa fee: The interest is paid online utilizing a in installments aliases debit card.
- Receive your e-visa: After processing (usually wrong 3-5 moving days), you’ll person your e-visa by email. Print it retired and coming it astatine nan Vietnam border.
Step 5: Apply astatine a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate (Traditional Visa Application)
If you’re not eligible for an e-visa aliases for illustration to use successful person, travel these steps:
- Visit nan nearest Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate: Check nan embassy’s website for nan location and moving hours.
- Submit your documents: Hand successful nan completed exertion form, your passport, passport-sized photo, and different required documents.
- Pay nan visa fee: Fees alteration depending connected nan visa type and duration. Payments are typically made by slope draught aliases successful cash.
- Wait for visa approval: The processing clip for a accepted visa typically takes 5-7 moving days, but expedited services whitethorn beryllium disposable astatine an further cost.
- Collect your visa: Once your visa is approved, cod it from nan embassy/consulate, aliases petition message transportation if available.
Step 6: Check for Additional Requirements (If Applicable)
Some travelers whitethorn request to supply further accusation specified arsenic wellness certificates aliases impervious of financial stability. Always cheque nan circumstantial visa requirements connected nan embassy’s website to guarantee you person each nan basal documentation.
Step 7: Enter Vietnam
Once you person your visa, you tin participate Vietnam via 1 of nan authorized introduction points:
- International airports: Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), Da Nang, Hai Phong, Phu Quoc.
- Land crossings: Check if your visa is valid for onshore introduction astatine 1 of Vietnam’s onshore borders pinch neighboring countries (Cambodia, Laos, China).
- Sea ports: Some travelers entering by cruise aliases oversea whitethorn require a abstracted visa arrangement.
Step 8: Extend aliases Renew Your Visa (If Necessary)
If you wish to enactment successful Vietnam longer than nan long allowed by your visa, you tin use for an extension. Extensions are disposable astatine nan Vietnam Immigration Office successful awesome cities aliases done a section recreation agency.
- Tourist Visa Extension: Extensions are typically granted for 1 to 3 months, depending connected your situation.
- Business Visa Extension: Depending connected your business needs, nan hold long whitethorn vary.
Important Tips for Vietnam Visa Application
- Apply early: It’s advisable to use for your visa good successful beforehand of your travel to debar last-minute delays.
- Check for updates: Vietnam’s visa policies whitethorn change, truthful ever cheque nan charismatic authorities website aliases embassy for nan latest requirements.
- Be cautious of visa agents: Only usage trusted, charismatic visa agents aliases services to debar scams.
Impact connected Tourism and Economic Development
Vietnam’s determination to assistance extended visa exemptions is portion of a broader strategy to stimulate tourism and economical growth. By simplifying introduction requirements, nan authorities intends to pull much world visitors, which tin lead to accrued spending successful sectors specified arsenic hospitality, transportation, and section businesses.
Experts expect that this argumentation could importantly boost Vietnam’s tourism industry, perchance bringing nan state person to its extremity of attracting 25–30 cardinal world visitors annually by 2026 .
Travel Tips for Visa-Free Visitors
For travelers readying to return advantage of nan 45-day visa exemption, present are immoderate applicable tips:
- Plan Ahead: While nan visa exemption simplifies entry, it’s basal to guarantee each introduction conditions are met to debar immoderate issues upon arrival.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of immoderate updates aliases changes to Vietnam’s visa policies by visiting charismatic authorities websites aliases consulting pinch nan nearest Vietnamese embassy aliases consulate.
- Respect Local Customs: Familiarize yourself pinch Vietnamese civilization and regulations to guarantee a respectful and enjoyable visit.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s hold of its visa exemption argumentation reflects nan country’s committedness to enhancing its world tourism appeal. By making recreation much accessible to citizens from 12 further countries, Vietnam is poised to invited much world visitors, fostering taste speech and contributing to economical development.
For much accusation connected Vietnam’s visa policies and recreation guidelines, sojourn nan charismatic Vietnamese authorities portal aliases interaction nan nearest Vietnamese negotiated mission.