Vietnam tourist visa

Vietnam grants unilateral visa exemption for tourism to citizens of 24 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, plus Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. These visitors receive a 45-day stay. Tourists from other countries need a visa unless a bilateral agreement exempts them.

For most independent travellers the e-visa is the simplest route: no sponsor is needed, you apply online, and it covers up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. The DL visa, issued to people entering for tourism, follows the general rule that a visa needs an inviting or sponsoring party in Vietnam. Typically an international travel company files the request with the Immigration Department, which answers within five working days and notifies the embassy or border gate.

A Vietnamese embassy may also issue a visa of up to 30 days for tourism, visiting relatives, market research or medical treatment without prior approval, but only to people who have working relations with the embassy or who present a note from the host country's foreign ministry or a foreign embassy.

Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, in force since 1 April 2026, sets USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid up to 90 days. A visa for a child under 14 costs USD 25 regardless of validity. Transferring a valid visa to a new passport costs USD 5. Embassies collect the fee when they issue the visa; the e-visa fee is paid online.

The border officer stamps a temporary residence period equal to the visa validity; if fewer than 15 days remain on the visa you receive 15 days. Your hotel or host declares your stay to the local police within 12 hours (24 hours in remote areas), so carry your passport and show it at check-in. Legal residents may travel freely, but restricted and border areas need separate permission.

An extension of temporary residence is requested by your sponsor (for tourists usually the travel company, or a relative) at the immigration authority, which decides within five working days. The fee is USD 10 per extension. E-visa holders who want to stay longer can also be considered for a new visa if an organisation or person in Vietnam invites or sponsors them.