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:

CountryEffective DateCovered Passport Categories
Argentina13/11/1999Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Albania01/10/1956Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Algeria02/01/1995Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Afghanistan26/02/1988Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Bangladesh10/07/1999Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports (for Vietnamese citizens), Official Passports (for Bangladeshi citizens)
Belarus24/11/1993Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Brazil12/02/2005Diplomatic Passports
Brunei01/11/1997Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Bulgaria01/06/1966Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Cambodia30/11/1979Diplomatic and Official Passports, Diplomatic Laissez-passer
Chile25/06/2005Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
China15/03/1992Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
CubaOngoingDiplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Seaman’s Passports (for Vietnamese citizens)
Czech Republic13/02/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Dominica29/09/2007Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Ecuador29/09/2007Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
France01/07/2005Diplomatic Passports
Hungary01/08/1993Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
India23/03/1995Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Indonesia19/09/1998, 04/12/2003Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Iran01/06/1994Diplomatic Passports
Iraq01/12/2001Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Japan01/05/2005Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
KyrgyzstanOngoingDiplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
Laos17/07/1977, 05/03/2004Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Malaysia25/11/2001Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Mexico04/02/2002Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Moldova23/05/2003Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Mongolia06/02/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Montenegro01/09/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Special Passports
Morocco19/12/2004Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Special Passports
Mozambique 09/02/2009Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Myanmar11/08/1998Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
NicaraguaOngoingDiplomatic Passports, Official or Service Passports
Pakistan02/03/2007Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Panama04/11/2002Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports (for Vietnamese citizens), Diplomatic Passports, Special Passports
North Korea01/10/1956, 01/04/1966Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports, Ordinary Passports for Official Mission
Peru02/06/2006Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports for Vietnamese Citizens, Special Passports for Peruvian Citizens
Philippines19/02/1997, 16/02/1999, 01/04/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Paraguay26/10/2008Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Romania01/12/1956Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Group Passports
Russia20/02/1994Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Serbia01/09/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Singapore10/05/1997, 01/12/2003Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports (with at least 6 months validity)
Slovakia10/08/1992Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
South Africa 23/06/2007Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
South Korea13/01/1999Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Sri Lanka19/09/2003Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Thailand10/05/1997, 09/07/2000Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Ordinary Passports
Tunisia20/01/2009Diplomatic Passports, Special Passports
Turkey01/10/1998Diplomatic Passports
Ukraine06/12/1993Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Uruguay15/06/2008Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports
Venezuela17/11/2006Diplomatic 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.