Quick answer
Dependents of travelers to Vietnam may need a visa unless they qualify under visa exemption programs. Vietnam offers unilateral visa exemptions for citizens of 12 countries allowing 45-day stay , and tourism stimulus exemptions for 12 additional countries . Bilateral agreements provide longer or shorter stays . Conditions include passport validity of at least 6 months and no entry refusal . Some exceptions apply (e.g., Phu Quoc Island , BNO passport holders require visa ). Always confirm with the nearest Vietnamese embassy .
Key facts
| Visa validity | Up to 45 days under unilateral/tourism exemption; varies under bilateral agreements (14–90 days)[1][2][5] |
| Passport requirement | Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry[3] |
| Special rules | British National (Overseas) passport holders are not exempt and must apply for a visa[7] |
Requirements
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Requirements in detail
You must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
You must not be considered ineligible for entry under Vietnamese law (e.g., previous deportation, criminal record).
Documents you'll need
General requirements
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from date of entry
- Proof of nationality (to confirm visa exemption eligibility) [9,12,18]
- Visa (if not exempt) — apply at Vietnamese embassy or consulate
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
- 1
1. Check if your nationality is visa-exempt under unilateral program , tourism stimulus , or bilateral agreements .
- 2
2. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from planned entry date .
- 3
3. Verify you are not subject to entry refusal under Vietnamese law .
- 4
4. If not exempt, apply for a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate well in advance .
- 5
5. For travel to Phu Quoc Island, note the separate 30-day exemption for all foreign passport holders .
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Unilateral visa exemption for 12 countries (45-day stay)
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Tourism stimulus visa exemption for 12 additional countries (45 days)
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [3]
Passport validity requirement (6 months from entry)
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
Conditions for entry: not falling under entry refusal
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
Bilateral visa exemption agreements (various stay durations)
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [6]
Phu Quoc Island visa exemption (up to 30 days)
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
British National (Overseas) passport holders require visa
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
Recommendation to contact embassy for confirmation
Primary source · Last verified: Jul 24, 2026Verified — deep-linked
This page reflects Vietnam's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of Vietnam's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.