How Long Can You Stay in Vietnam Without a Visa? (2026 Updated)
Vietnam has one of Southeast Asia’s most generous visa exemption policies — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Some travelers think they can stay indefinitely. Others don’t realize they qualify for a free 45-day entry. And some unknowingly overstay and face serious consequences at the border.
This guide covers everything you need to know about visa-free stays in Vietnam in 2026, including the full country list, exactly how days are counted, and your options when you need to stay longer.
What Is Vietnam’s Visa Exemption Policy?
Vietnam’s visa exemption allows citizens of certain countries to enter and stay for a set number of days without applying for any visa beforehand. You simply arrive at the border with a valid passport and are admitted for the exemption period.
As of 2026, Vietnam grants visa-free access to citizens of 23 countries under unilateral exemptions, plus additional nationalities covered by bilateral agreements. Stay durations are typically 14, 21, 30, 45, or 90 days depending on your nationality and agreement type.
Countries With 45-Day Visa-Free Access (Unilateral)
Vietnam’s unilateral 45-day exemption currently covers 12 traditional partner countries, renewed under a Government Resolution valid from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028. These nationalities may enter without any visa application:
| Country | Stay Duration | Valid Until |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | 45 days | 14 March 2028 |
Countries With Bilateral Visa-Free Access
In addition to unilateral exemptions, Vietnam has signed bilateral ordinary-passport agreements with a number of countries. Stay durations vary by agreement.
Chile — 90 Days (Special Bilateral)
30 Days
| Country | Stay Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 30 days | Bilateral |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 30 days | Bilateral |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 30 days | Bilateral |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 30 days | No extension |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 30 days | Bilateral |
| 🇱🇦 Laos | 30 days | Extendable up to 2×30 days |
| 🇧🇾 Belarus | 30 days/entry | Max 90 days/year — bilateral, eff. 30 Jan 2025 |
| 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 30 days | Max 90/180 days — bilateral, eff. 25 May 2024 |
| 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | 30 days | Bilateral |
21 Days
| Country | Stay Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | 21 days | Bilateral |
14 Days
| Country | Stay Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar | 14 days | Bilateral |
| 🇧🇳 Brunei | 14 days | Bilateral |
How Are the Days Counted?
This is where many travelers make costly mistakes. Here’s exactly how Vietnam counts visa-free days:
- Day 1 = the day you enter Vietnam, regardless of what time you arrive
- If you arrive at 11:55 PM, that night still counts as Day 1
- The exit date must be on or before your last allowed day — not the day after
- Days are calendar days, not 24-hour periods
Last allowed day in Vietnam: July 15 (Day 45)
Must depart on or before: July 15
Departing July 16 = overstay of 1 day
The immigration stamp in your passport will show your permitted stay date — this is the date you must leave by, not the number of days. Always check this stamp carefully upon arrival.
Do You Need to Do Anything to Get Visa-Free Entry?
No application is required. Simply arrive at the border (airport, land crossing, or sea port) with:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining
- A return or onward ticket (immigration may ask to see this)
- Proof of accommodation for your first night (hotel booking)
- Sufficient funds for your stay (no specific amount defined, but ~$100/day is a reasonable guide)
There is no pre-approval, no portal to register on, and no fee for visa-free entry.
What Happens If You Overstay?
| Overstay Duration | Fine (individual) | Additional Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 days | 500,000–2,000,000 VND (~$20–80) | Warning |
| 16–29 days | 3,000,000–5,000,000 VND (~$120–200) | Possible deportation |
| 30–59 days | 5,000,000–10,000,000 VND (~$200–400) | Deportation risk + possible entry ban |
| 60–89 days | 10,000,000–15,000,000 VND (~$400–600) | Deportation + entry ban 1–5 years |
| 90+ days | 15,000,000–20,000,000 VND (~$600–800) | Deportation + entry ban 1–5 years |
Per Nghị định 144/2021/NĐ-CP, current as of 2026. Organizations face double fines.
Can You Extend a Visa-Free Stay?
A visa-free entry cannot be extended directly. Once you’ve entered on a visa exemption, you have two options if you want to stay longer:
- Option 1 — Visa run: Exit Vietnam briefly (e.g., to Cambodia or Laos), then re-enter. Your exemption period resets each time you enter. However, immigration officers have discretion to deny re-entry if they believe you are living in Vietnam long-term on repeated exemptions.
- Option 2 — Apply for an e-visa: Exit Vietnam before your exemption expires, apply for a 90-day e-visa, and re-enter. This is the most reliable long-term solution.
📋 Need to Stay Longer Than Your Exemption Allows?
EntryVN can help you apply for a 90-day e-visa or advise on the best extension strategy for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — US passport holders are not on Vietnam’s visa-free exemption list and must apply for a visa before traveling. The easiest option is an e-visa via evisa.gov.vn: $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days. Always check the latest requirements at the official portal, as policies can change.
Technically yes — the law does not require a waiting period between exemption entries. However, immigration officers have discretion, and frequent same-day or next-day re-entries may be questioned. If you plan to stay long-term, applying for a 90-day e-visa is more sustainable than repeated visa runs.
Children follow the same rules as adults based on their passport nationality. If a parent’s nationality is visa-free, children with the same passport also enter visa-free. Children on a separate passport must have their own valid travel document.
Vietnam’s visa exemption is based on the nationality shown in the passport you travel with, not your country of birth or residence. If you hold dual nationality and carry two passports, you may enter on whichever passport gives you a longer or more convenient exemption.
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