When planning a trip to Vietnam, one of the first questions most travelers ask is “Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?” The answer depends on your nationality — and if you’re lucky, you might not need one at all. Vietnam currently offers visa exemption (or visa-free entry) to citizens of 39 countries and territories. That means you can enter Vietnam without a visa for a limited number of days, simply by showing your passport at the border. This article breaks down everything you need to know about Vietnam’s visa exemption policy— who qualifies, how long you can stay, what conditions apply, and what to do if you want to stay longer. We’ll also show you how to check your eligibility and get expert help through VietnamDiscovery if you’re unsure about your specific case. What Is Vietnam Visa Exemption? Visa exemption means that travelers from specific countries can enter Vietnam without applying for a visa in advance. You’ll simply present your valid passport and sometimes an onward ticket, and immigration officers will grant you entry for the permitted duration. The stay duration varies depending on nationality — ranging from 14 days to 90 days. It’s an excellent policy that helps boost tourism and make travel to Vietnam more accessible, especially for neighboring and partner countries. However, not everyone qualifies, and the rules may change from year to year. Vietnam Visa Exemption Policy 2025: Key Highlights Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags: As of August 2025, citizens of up to 38 countries and territories eligible for visa-free entry. Stay duration ranges from 14 to 90 days, depending on your nationality. Valid passports only – your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. Visa exemption applies to entry by air, land, or sea, as long as you enter through an international checkpoint. Full List of Vietnam Visa-Exempt Countries (as of 2025) Below is the official list of 38 countries and territories whose citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa in 2025: No.CountryMaximum visa-free durationApplicable purpose of visit (if any)1Chile90 daysEntries that do not include remunerated activities2Panama90 daysEntries that do not include remunerated activities3Cambodia30 daysNot mentioned4Indonesia30 daysNot mentioned5Kyrgyzstan30 daysNot mentioned6Laos30 daysNot mentioned7Malaysia30 daysTourism, attending press, conference/coverage, official duty, visiting relatives, business negotiation, investment, sports, or attending seminars or conferences8Singapore30 daysEntries that do not include remunerated activities9Thailand30 daysNot mentioned10Philippines21 daysNot mentioned11Brunei14 daysNot mentioned12Myanmar14 daysVisiting only13Belarus30 daysTotal stay duration in Vietnam is no more than 90 days in a 12-month period.14Denmark45 daysNot mentioned15Finland45 daysNot mentioned13France45 daysNot mentioned17Germany45 daysNot mentioned18Italy45 daysNot mentioned19Japan45 daysNot mentioned20Norway45 daysNot mentioned21Russia45 daysNot mentioned22South Korea45 daysNot mentioned23Spain45 daysNot mentioned24Sweden45 daysNot mentioned25United Kingdom (Not applicable to BNO)45 daysNot mentioned26Kazakhstan45 daysNot exceeding 90 days within 180 continuous days27Switzerland45 daysNot mentioned28Czech Republic45 daysNot mentioned29Poland45 daysNot mentioned30Belgium45 daysNot mentioned31Bulgaria45 daysNot mentioned32Croatia45 daysNot mentioned33Hungary45 daysNot mentioned34Luxembourg45 daysNot mentioned35Netherlands45 daysNot mentioned36Romania45 daysNot mentioned37Slovakia45 daysNot mentioned38Slovenia45 daysNot mentioned Example Scenarios Let’s look at a few common examples to help you understand how the policy applies in real life: If you’re from Germany – You can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay for up to 45 days. You can leave and re-enter after that period if you wish to stay longer. If you’re from Singapore – You get 30 days visa-free entry. Perfect for short holidays or business visits. If you’re from the Philippines – You can stay up to 21 days without a visa. If you’re from the US, India, or Australia – You must apply for a visa (e-visa or visa on arrival). You’re not in the exemption list. Conditions You Must Meet for Visa-Free Entry Even if your country is listed above, you still need to meet a few simple requirements: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date. Your entry purpose must be tourism, business, or short-term visit (not work or study). You must enter through an international checkpoint (airport, land border, or seaport). Failing to meet any of these could lead to entry denial — so it’s best to double-check before traveling. What If You Want to Stay Longer? If you’ve fallen in love with Vietnam (and many travelers do!), you might find yourself wanting to extend your stay. Unfortunately, visa-free entries cannot be extended directly. Here’s what you can do instead: Apply for an E-Visa after your visa-free stay ends — you can do this from another country or even while still in Vietnam (with support from an agency). Do a visa run — exit to a nearby country like Cambodia or Thailand, then re-enter with a new e-visa. Contact VietnamDiscovery for personalized help — we can check your specific case and handle all paperwork to avoid overstays or penalties. E-Visa or Exemption – Which One Should You Choose? If your country is eligible for visa exemption and you plan to stay within the allowed time, then great – you don’t need a visa at all. However, if you: Plan to stay longer than your exemption period, or Want peace of mind with pre-approved entry, then it’s smarter to apply for a Vietnam E-Visa in advance. You can easily apply through VietnamDiscovery — a trusted local travel company since 2007. We help thousands of travelers each month with: E-visa applications & approvals Fast-track airport clearance Visa extensions & urgent entry assistance You just send us your passport copy and travel plan – our team will handle everything securely and keep you updated at every step. Expert Tip from VietnamDiscovery “Even if your country is on the visa exemption list, it’s always good to check your specific situation before traveling — especially if you’ve visited Vietnam recently or plan to enter multiple times in a short period. Our visa experts can verify your eligibility and recommend whether you should travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa to avoid surprises at the airport.” 👉 Contact VietnamDiscovery Now to get personalized advice within minutes. Final Thoughts The Vietnam visa exemption policy continues to make travel easier and more open than ever – especially for friends from Europe and Southeast Asia. It’s part of Vietnam’s effort to welcome more global visitors while ensuring smooth and safe entry procedures. If you’re lucky enough to be on the exemption list, enjoy your trip without worrying about paperwork. And if you’re not — don’t worry! The Vietnam E-Visa is quick, affordable, and available to all. Whichever way you choose, VietnamDiscovery is here to make your journey smooth from start to finish – whether it’s applying for a visa, booking airport fast-track, or arranging your dream itinerary across Vietnam. Start your trip right, start with VietnamDiscovery. Share: Most Popular Vietnamese Silk Painting Vietnamese Wedding Ceremony Tradition Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi – What to See & Do Hoi An Old Town – an Ancient City in Quang Nam, Vietnam Empty Your Pockets with 12 Best Vietnamese Foods That Rock!