Vietnam Entry Requirements Checklist (Updated August 2026)

Planning a trip to Vietnam and not sure what you need at the border?

I get asked this a lot. And the rules have shifted a few times in the past couple of months — so a lot of information online is already out of date.

Here’s what you actually need as of August 2026 — no fluff, no outdated information.

The quick checklist

• ✅ Passport valid for at least 6 months, with 2 blank pages
• ✅ Visa or proof of visa exemption for your nationality
• ✅ Vietnam Digital Arrival Card (completed online before you fly)
• ✅ Proof of onward or return travel
• ✅ First night accommodation address

That’s it. No vaccinations required, no paper landing cards. Let’s go through each one properly.

1. Passport validity — 6 months minimum

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Vietnam — not from when you book, not from when you depart. From the day you land.

You also need at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Airlines check this before you board. Immigration checks it again when you land. If your passport is cutting it close, renew it before you travel.

2. Visa — what you need depends on your nationality

For a full step-by-step breakdown of the e-visa application process, see our Vietnam e-visa guide. Here’s the short version.

Visa-free entry

Vietnam offers visa-free entry to 39 nationalities, with stays ranging from 14 to 90 days depending on your passport.

45 days visa-free (most of Western Europe + select others):

UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Belarus — and several more.

30 days visa-free (most ASEAN countries):

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and others. Philippines gets 21 days, Brunei gets 14 days.

Visa-free entry applies whether you arrive by air, land, or sea — as long as you come through an official international checkpoint.

⚠️ Note: visa exemption does not mean you can re-enter immediately after leaving. There’s typically a required gap before you can use another visa-free entry.

E-visa (everyone else — and anyone who wants longer)

If your country isn’t on the visa-free list, or you want more than 45 days, you need a Vietnam e-visa.

• Duration: 90 days
• Single entry: USD $25
• Multiple entry: USD $50 — worth it if you’re doing Vietnam + Cambodia + Laos and re-entering Vietnam mid-trip
• Processing time: 3–5 working days
• Apply at: evisa.gov.vn — the official government portal only

Apply at least a week before you travel. And only use the official government website — there are dozens of third-party sites that charge $50–100+ to process the same application. Go direct and save the money.

One practical tip if you do need a visa: print two physical copies before you fly. I’ve found that immigration will often ask to see a physical copy on arrival — not required, but they’ve always asked in my experience. Some hotels and apartments will also ask to photograph your visa before check-in. Having a spare copy means you’re not scrambling if one gets lost or damaged.

3. Vietnam Digital Arrival Card — new and required

From 15 April 2026, Vietnam requires all international arrivals to complete a Digital Arrival Card online before they arrive. It replaces the old paper landing card you used to fill in on the plane.

• Complete it: within 72 hours before your arrival
• Where: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn
• Cost: free
• What you get: a QR code by email that immigration scans when you land

Screenshot the QR code and save it to your camera roll. Don’t rely on having mobile data the moment you land.

⚠️ Watch out for scam sites charging fees for this form. It is completely free on the official government website.

4. Proof of onward travel

Airlines will almost always ask to see a return or onward flight before they let you board to Vietnam. Immigration may also ask on arrival.

If you’re travelling open-ended and don’t have a fixed return date, your options:

• Book a refundable return ticket and cancel it after you land
• Book the cheapest available flight out (budget airlines to nearby countries are often under $30)
• Use a service that generates a temporary confirmed booking

5. First night accommodation

You’ll be asked for an address on the Digital Arrival Card — just your first night. Hotel name and address is fine. Book something refundable if you’re still figuring it out.

What you don’t need

• ❌ No vaccinations required (including COVID)
• ❌ No health declaration forms — there is no official instruction about health declaration requirements at this time
• ❌ No travel insurance required at the border (though you should have it)
• ❌ No paper arrival card — replaced by the Digital Arrival Card

Customs allowances

• Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco duty-free
• Alcohol: 1.5 litres of spirits (above 22% ABV) or 2 litres of wine/beer
• Cash: amounts over USD $5,000 (or equivalent) must be declared on arrival
• Drones: technically require a permit — check the current rules before bringing one

Entry by land or sea

Everything above applies whether you’re flying in or crossing overland from Cambodia, Laos, or China. The Digital Arrival Card, visa requirements, and passport rules all apply the same way. Make sure you’re crossing at an official international checkpoint.

Frequently asked questions

And if you need a full step-by-step walkthrough of the e-visa application, head to our Vietnam e-visa guide.