Vietnam Visa Exemption: Which Countries Are Exempt?

Vietnam's visa exemption policy allows citizens from certain countries to enter and stay without the need for a visa. This simplifies the immigration process, making travel more convenient for international visitors. In this article, Auasia Travel provide a list of eligible countries along with important details on the conditions and regulations that travelers need to follow.

1. What is visa exemption?

Visa exemption is a policy that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in a country for a specified period without the need to apply for a visa or complete complex administrative procedures. Citizens of countries benefiting from this policy do not need to pay visa fees, submit visa applications, or undergo the usual immigration procedures like other citizens.

The visa exemption policy is applied based on bilateral or multilateral agreements between the issuing country and the entry country, with the aim of promoting tourism, cultural exchange, trade cooperation, and other international activities.

2. Countries exempted from visa requirements when entering Vietnam

According to Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025, by the Government of Vietnam, citizens from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland will be exempted from visa requirements when entering Vietnam.

Previously, the Government had also issued Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025, granting visa exemption to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland under the 2025 Tourism Development Promotion Program.

The visa exemption policy for citizens of the above-mentioned countries will be effective from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028, and will be reviewed for extension according to Vietnam's legal regulations. Therefore, as of now, the following is the list of countries that are exempted from visa requirements when entering Vietnam.

2.1. Asian countries eligible for Vietnam's visa exemption

2.2. Countries in the Europe region exempted from visa requirements when entering Vietnam

2.3. Countries in the Americas benefiting from Vietnam's visa exemption policy

3. Conditions for Visa exemption when entering Vietnam

While citizens from countries eligible for Vietnam's visa exemption can enter without applying for a visa, they must still comply with specific conditions under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 51/2019/QH14, amended in 2023).

• Valid passport with sufficient validity: The passport of the foreign national must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Vietnam. In addition, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps.

• Not on the prohibited entry list: Foreign nationals must not be on the list of individuals banned from entering Vietnam according to Vietnamese law. Cases of denied entry may be related to security reasons, legal violations, or having a history of overstaying a previous Vietnam visa.

• No violation of previous visa exemption period: If a foreign national has previously overstayed or violated entry regulations under the visa exemption policy, they may be denied entry, even if they are from a country exempt from Vietnam's visa requirements.

4. Some important notes

• Citizens from countries exempted from visa requirements for Vietnam must still comply with the maximum stay period under the visa exemption policy.

• The visa exemption policy does not allow for direct extensions. If a longer stay is required, citizens can apply for a Vietnam visa extension or register for an E-Visa Vietnam.

• Although exempt from a visa, border authorities still have the right to deny entry if there are any suspicious signs regarding the purpose of entry, security concerns, or other legal issues.

• The visa exemption policy may change based on political circumstances, diplomatic relations, and international events. Citizens should monitor official announcements from the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

Thus, the above is the list of countries exempt from visa requirements when entering Vietnam. Vietnam's visa exemption policy allows visitors from these countries to enter and stay more easily, saving time and effort during the immigration process. However, travelers should be aware of the related conditions and regulations to ensure a smooth trip.