Overview of Vietnam Visa Exemption

As of February 6, 2009, Vietnam has entered into 56 visa exemption agreements with 55 countries, of which 54 agreements are currently active. These visa exemptions grant citizens of these countries the ability to enter Vietnam without a visa for a specified period, which generally ranges from 15 to 45 days, depending on the country of origin.

This exemption applies to tourist and business visits and covers a variety of passport categories, including diplomatic, official, and sometimes ordinary passports. Visitors from countries that have signed these agreements can avoid the hassle of applying for a visa, provided they meet the conditions outlined in the treaties.

 

 


Countries with Vietnam Visa Exemption

Vietnam has granted visa exemptions to citizens of the following 54 countries through bilateral and unilateral agreements. Below is a complete list:

Country Effective Date Covered Passport Categories
Argentina 13/11/1999 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Albania 01/10/1956 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Algeria 02/01/1995 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Afghanistan 26/02/1988 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Bangladesh 10/07/1999 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports (for Vietnamese citizens), Official Passports (for Bangladeshi citizens)
Belarus 24/11/1993 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Brazil 12/02/2005 Diplomatic Passports
Brunei 01/11/1997 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Bulgaria 01/06/1966 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Cambodia 30/11/1979 Diplomatic and Official Passports, Diplomatic Laissez-passer
Chile 25/06/2005 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
China 15/03/1992 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
Cuba Ongoing Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Seaman’s Passports (for Vietnamese citizens)
Czech Republic 13/02/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Dominica 29/09/2007 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Ecuador 29/09/2007 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
France 01/07/2005 Diplomatic Passports
Hungary 01/08/1993 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
India 23/03/1995 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Indonesia 19/09/1998, 04/12/2003 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Iran 01/06/1994 Diplomatic Passports
Iraq 01/12/2001 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Japan 01/05/2005 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Kyrgyzstan Ongoing Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
Laos 17/07/1977, 05/03/2004 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Malaysia 25/11/2001 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Mexico 04/02/2002 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Moldova 23/05/2003 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Mongolia 06/02/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Montenegro 01/09/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Special Passports
Morocco 19/12/2004 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Special Passports
Mozambique  09/02/2009 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Myanmar 11/08/1998 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Nicaragua Ongoing Diplomatic Passports, Official or Service Passports
Pakistan 02/03/2007 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Panama 04/11/2002 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports (for Vietnamese citizens), Diplomatic Passports, Special Passports
North Korea 01/10/1956, 01/04/1966 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
Peru 02/06/2006 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports for Vietnamese Citizens, Special Passports for Peruvian Citizens
Philippines 19/02/1997, 16/02/1999, 01/04/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Paraguay 26/10/2008 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Romania 01/12/1956 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Russia 20/02/1994 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Serbia 01/09/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Singapore 10/05/1997, 01/12/2003 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Slovakia 10/08/1992 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
South Africa  23/06/2007 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
South Korea 13/01/1999 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Sri Lanka 19/09/2003 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Thailand 10/05/1997, 09/07/2000 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Tunisia 20/01/2009 Diplomatic Passports, Special Passports
Turkey 01/10/1998 Diplomatic Passports
Ukraine 06/12/1993 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Uruguay 15/06/2008 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Venezuela 17/11/2006 Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports

Customs Regulations in Vietnam

When entering or exiting Vietnam, visitors must comply with the country’s customs procedures. To ensure a smooth journey, it’s important to understand the following regulations:

Duty-Free Allowance

Travelers are allowed to bring the following items into Vietnam duty-free:

  • 1.5 liters of liquor over 22% alcohol concentration
  • 2 liters of liquor under 22% alcohol
  • 400 cigarettes
  • 100 cigars
  • 500 grams of raw tobacco
  • Other items valued up to VND 5,000,000

Customs Declaration Form

For items exceeding the duty-free allowance, passengers must complete a customs declaration form and pay the appropriate duties.


Currency in Vietnam

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese đồng (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks or foreign exchange agencies. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist destinations.

Vietnamese Banknotes

Vietnamese banknotes come in denominations of VND 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, and 20,000.