Travellers on Vietnam’s 45-day unilateral visa exemption can leave (for example to Cambodia via Moc Bai) and re-enter for a new 45-day stay; current law no longer requires a 30-day gap between entries. Entry is still at the border officer’s discretion. To stay longer, enter on a 90-day e-visa, or extend inside Vietnam if someone can sponsor you.
Who gets 45 days visa-free?
Citizens of countries on Vietnam’s unilateral exemption list (many European countries, Japan, South Korea…) get 45 days per entry. ASEAN citizens under bilateral agreements get different periods (usually 30 days, 21 days for the Philippines). See the 2026 visa exemption list.
Options when your 45 days end
| Option | Condition | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa run | Still visa-exempt, valid passport | New 45 days; frequent runs attract questions |
| 90-day e-visa | Apply online before returning | Stay up to 90 days; choose multiple entry to travel in and out |
| Visa or extension inside Vietnam | A sponsoring agency, organisation or individual | No need to leave |
| 5-year exemption certificate | People of Vietnamese origin, spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens | Up to 180 days per entry |
Tips
- Count carefully: the day of entry is day one.
- Do not overstay even one day: under 16 days is fined 0.5–2 million VND.
- For a visa run use Moc Bai (Ho Chi Minh City), Lao Bao (central Vietnam) or Huu Nghi (north, if visa-free for China).
- See also is a visa run legal?.
FAQ
If I exit and come straight back, do I get a new 45 days?
Usually yes, if you are still visa-exempt and the officer admits you.
Do I have to wait 30 days before using the exemption again?
No. The 30-day gap rule was removed by the 2019 amendment.
Can visa-exempt nationals apply for an e-visa?
Yes. Many choose a 90-day e-visa to stay longer on one entry.
Need help?
Info Travel handles fast e-visas, visa extensions, residence cards and free visa run advice at Zalo/WhatsApp: +84327828822 / Hotline: +84903782118.
