Vietnam Entry Requirements for Foreigners 2026

To enter Vietnam, a foreigner needs three things: a valid passport, a visa or a visa exemption, and not to fall into any of the cases where entry is refused or suspended. This guide sums up the entry requirements, the common ways to enter Vietnam in 2026 and what happens at the border, based on the Law on Entry and Exit of Foreigners (Law 47/2014/QH13, amended in 2019 and 2023).

Contents

Vietnam entry requirements for foreigners

Valid passport or international travel document: it must be valid at least 30 days longer than your visa. If you enter under a unilateral visa exemption, the passport must have at least 6 months’ validity.
A visa or a visa exemption: e-visa, visa on arrival with an approval letter, visa issued by a Vietnamese embassy, temporary residence card, 5-year visa exemption certificate, or a nationality that is visa-exempt.
Not in a refused-entry case (see below).

Ways to enter Vietnam in 2026

Entry option	For whom	Length of stay
Visa exemption by nationality	Citizens of unilaterally or bilaterally exempt countries	14–90 days depending on country
E-visa	Citizens of all countries	Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
Approval letter + visa on arrival	Travellers with a sponsor (company, relative) or via a travel agency	By visa type: DL, DN, LĐ, ĐT, TT…
Visa from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate	Applied for before flying	By visa type
Temporary residence card	Long-term workers, investors, family members	Card validity
5-year visa exemption certificate	People of Vietnamese origin and spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens or people of Vietnamese origin	Up to 180 days per entry

When a foreigner is refused entry

Not meeting the entry requirements above.
Children under 14 travelling without a parent, guardian or authorised person.
Forged documents or false statements to obtain entry papers.
Mental illness or an infectious disease that endangers public health.
Deported from Vietnam less than 3 years ago, or forced to leave less than 6 months ago.
Epidemic prevention, natural disasters, or national defence and security reasons.

An overstay on a previous trip may be recorded and can cause problems when you come back. Always leave or renew your status before your permitted stay ends.

Entry procedure at the border

Step 1: have your passport, printed e-visa or approval letter (for visa on arrival), and a return or onward ticket ready in case you are asked.
Step 2: for a visa on arrival, go to the Landing Visa counter and hand in the NA1 form, a 4×6 cm photo, the approval letter and the stamping fee of USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple).
Step 3: at immigration control, show your passport and visa. The officer stamps your entry and the permitted stay.
Step 4: after arrival, your hotel or landlord registers your temporary residence with the local police.

At the five main airports, an online pre-arrival declaration is also recommended. See Vietnam pre-arrival declaration and NA1 form.

Vietnam immigration requirements in short

Vietnam’s immigration requirements for foreigners come down to a valid passport, the right visa or exemption, a clean immigration record and, at the main airports, the recommended online pre-arrival declaration.

FAQ

Can foreigners enter Vietnam now?

Yes. Vietnam is open to foreigners for all purposes: tourism, business, work, family visits and investment. You only need to meet the passport and visa requirements above.

Do I need a return ticket to enter Vietnam?

The law does not require it in every case, but airlines or border officers may ask for a return or onward ticket, especially if you enter visa-free. Carry one to avoid delays.