Do You Need a Visa to Vietnam in 2026?

Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers, attracting visitors with beautiful beaches, rich culture, and affordable prices. The visa regime between Russia and Vietnam changes periodically, so it is important to know the current entry requirements for the country.

Current visa situation for Vietnam

In 2026, visa rules for foreign travelers have undergone several changes. Key points to know when planning a trip to Vietnam:

Simplified entry procedures are available for short-term tourist trips
The period of visa-free stay is limited
There are different types of visas for different purposes of visit
The e-visa has become an accessible way to obtain entry permission

Important: Before planning your trip, check the current information from official sources, as visa rules may change depending on the epidemiological situation and other factors.

Key aspects of the visa regime

When planning a trip to Vietnam, take into account several important factors:

Purpose of the trip (tourism, work, study)
Planned length of stay
Number of planned entries to the country
Current document requirements

In the following sections, we will examine in detail all aspects of obtaining a Vietnam visa, including visa types, the application process, and required documents.

Do foreign travelers need a visa for Vietnam

Foreign travelers have special entry conditions for Vietnam that depend on the purpose and length of the trip. Let's look at the main situations and corresponding visa requirements.

Visa-free entry to Vietnam

Travelers can visit Vietnam without a visa in the following cases:

Tourist or short business trips up to 45 days
Multiple entries to the country (including consecutive trips)
Possession of return tickets or tickets to a third country
Passport valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry

When a visa is required

A visa to Vietnam is required in the following cases:

Stays of more than 45 days
Work trip of any length
Study trip
Business trip

Special categories of travelers

Separate rules apply to:

Holders of diplomatic passports
Transit passengers
Children listed in parents' passports
Persons with dual citizenship

Requirements for visa-free entry

Valid passport (valid for more than 6 months)
Proof of return ticket
Hotel reservation confirmation
Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay
Completed migration card

Important information

The visa-free period cannot be extended while in Vietnam
Repeated visa-free entry is possible immediately after departure — the mandatory interval between trips has been abolished
Fines are imposed for violating stay periods
Rules may change depending on the epidemiological situation

Before your trip, it is recommended to check the current requirements at the Vietnam Consulate or on official resources, as visa rules may change. If you are planning a trip of more than 45 days or if there is a possibility of extending your stay, it is best to arrange a visa in advance.

Duration of stay in Vietnam

The length of legal stay in Vietnam depends on the type of entry and the documents you have. Let's consider all possible options and stay duration limits.

Visa-free stay

With visa-free entry, travelers can remain in Vietnam:

Up to 45 days from the date of crossing the border
With the possibility of multiple entries
With no right to extend the stay (you must exit and re-enter)

Important: The 45-day countdown begins on the date of entry (this day counts as the first) and ends on the last permitted day before midnight.

Stay duration by visa type

Visa type	Duration of stay
E-visa	Up to 90 days
Tourist visa	1–3 months
Business visa	3–12 months
Work visa	Up to 2 years

Extension of stay

Extension possibilities depend on the visa type:

Visa-free stay: extension is not possible
E-visa: cannot be extended within the country — you must exit and apply for a new e-visa (up to 90 days)
Tourist visa: can be extended for up to 3 months
Business visa: extension is possible if there is a valid reason

Intervals between trips

When planning repeat trips, consider:

Repeated visa-free entry is possible immediately after departure — the mandatory interval has been abolished
With a visa, there is no interval required between trips
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit without restrictions

Monitoring compliance with stay duration

Responsibility for violating stay duration:

Fines for exceeding the permitted period
Possible problems with future entry
Need to explain the reasons for the violation

Recommendations for stay duration

Plan your departure at least a day before the end of the permitted period
Keep copies of all documents confirming entry dates
If extension is needed, begin the process in advance
Monitor current changes in visa rules

Visa types for a trip to Vietnam

Vietnam offers different types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit. Each type has its own features, validity periods, and application requirements.

E-visa

Features of the e-visa:

Validity period: up to 90 days
Single or multiple entry (your choice when applying)
Online application
Processing time: 3–5 business days
Suitable for tourist and business trips

Tourist visa

Characteristics of the tourist visa:

Validity period: 1–3 months
Possibility of single or multiple entry
Requires an invitation from a travel company
Possibility to extend the stay period

Work visa

Features of the work visa:

Validity period: up to 2 years
Multiple entry
Work permit required
Invitation from employer required
Possibility of extension

Important: To obtain a work visa, you must first obtain a work permit in Vietnam.

Long-term visa

Options for long-term visas:

Business visa (3–12 months)
Investor visa (1–5 years)
Student visa (up to 1 year)
Family reunification visa (1–3 years)

Comparative visa table

Visa type	Validity period	Entry multiplicity	Possibility of extension
E-visa	Up to 90 days	Single/multiple entry	Not extendable (exit + new visa)
Tourist visa	1–3 months	Single/multiple entry	Yes
Work visa	Up to 2 years	Multiple entry	Yes
Business visa	3–12 months	Multiple entry	Yes

Special visa categories

Diplomatic visas
Visas for official delegations
Transit visas
Visas for crew members

Recommendations for choosing a visa type:

Clearly determine the purpose of your trip
Take into account the planned duration of stay
Assess the need for multiple entries
Check the possibility of extension for the chosen visa type

Vietnam visa application process

The process of obtaining a Vietnam visa depends on the chosen visa type and application method. Let's look at the main steps and requirements for each option.

Applying for an e-visa

Step-by-step instructions:

Visit the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Service
Fill out an online form
Upload a photo and passport scan
Pay the visa fee
Wait for confirmation (3–5 business days)
Print the permission you receive

Required documents

Basic document package:

Passport (valid for more than 6 months)
Color photographs (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Completed visa application form
Proof of visa fee payment
Copy of tickets or booking
Proof of accommodation

Additional documents for different visa types:

Visa type	Additional documents
Work visa	Work permit, invitation from employer
Business visa	Invitation from company, business license
Student visa	Invitation from educational institution

Cost of visa application

Visa fees depend on the type and validity period of the visa:

E-visa: $25–30 USD
Tourist visa (1 month): $25–50 USD
Multiple-entry visa: from $50 USD
Expedited processing: additional fee

Important: Fees may change. Current rates should be checked on the official website.

Application timelines

E-visa: 3–5 business days
Standard processing: 5–7 business days
Expedited processing: 1–2 business days
Long-term visas: up to 2 weeks

Ways to submit documents

Online (for e-visa)
At the Vietnam Embassy
Through a visa center
Upon arrival (in some cases)

Common mistakes when applying for a visa

Incorrect completion of the application form
Photos not meeting requirements
Insufficient passport validity
Incomplete document package
Late submission of documents

Recommendations for visa application

Start the application process in advance
Carefully check all information
Keep copies of all documents
Use official sources
Monitor the validity of documents

Important features of Vietnam's visa regime

When planning a trip to Vietnam, it is important to take into account several important features of the visa regime that may affect your travel.

Entry rules for Vietnam

Main requirements upon entry:

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
Presence of clean pages for stamps
Completed migration card
Proof of return tickets
Documents confirming place of residence

Features of border crossing

When passing border control:

Present a printed visa or confirmation
Keep the migration card until departure
Check the accuracy of entry stamps
Have copies of all documents with you

Restrictions and prohibitions

Prohibition on work with a tourist visa
Restrictions on travel to some regions
Prohibition on changing visa purpose without obtaining a new visa
Terms of entry with an e-visa depend on the chosen type (single or multiple entry)

Registration of place of residence

Registration rules:

Hotels register guests automatically
With private accommodation, self-registration is required
Registration deadline — within 24 hours of arrival
Keep documents confirming your registration

Extension and modification of visa

Features of changing visa status:

Apply for extension in advance
Need to justify any changes
Additional fees for visa modification
Limitations on the number of extensions

Penalties and sanctions

Visa regime violations:

Exceeding stay duration
Working without appropriate visa
Violation of registration rules
Providing false information

Special cases

Loss of documents
Emergency medical care
Force majeure circumstances
Change of travel itinerary

Practical tips

Make copies of all documents
Save embassy contact information
Have travel insurance
Monitor visa expiration dates
Follow local laws and customs

Important contacts

Russian Embassy in Vietnam
Local immigration service
Tourist police
Emergency services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General questions about visa requirements

Do I need a visa for Da Nang?

Da Nang is part of Vietnam, so the general entry rules for the country apply. For trips up to 45 days, a visa is not required; for longer stays, you must obtain a visa.

Can I extend visa-free stay?

No, the visa-free period cannot be extended. For longer stays, you must apply for a visa in advance.

Is visa-free entry available through all airports?

Yes, visa-free entry is possible through all international airports in Vietnam.

Questions about stay duration

How are visa-free stay days counted?

The entry date counts as the first day, the departure date as the last. The total period must not exceed 45 days.

When can I re-enter without a visa?

Repeated visa-free entry is possible immediately after the previous departure — the mandatory 30-day interval has been abolished.

Questions about documents

What is the required passport validity period?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned entry date to Vietnam.

Do I need return tickets for visa-free entry?

Yes, return tickets or tickets to a third country are required.

Questions about visa types

What is the difference between an e-visa and a regular visa?

An e-visa is obtained online, is valid for up to 90 days, and is available in single or multiple-entry versions. A regular (consular) visa is obtained through an embassy and may have a longer validity period.

Can I work with a tourist visa?

No, to work in Vietnam you must obtain a work visa and get a work permit.

Practical questions

What should I do if I lose my passport in Vietnam?

You must contact the nearest police station to obtain a loss certificate and contact the embassy to arrange temporary documents.

Can I leave earlier than the expiration date on my visa?

Yes, you can leave the country at any time before the visa expires.

Questions about costs

How much does it cost to extend a visa in Vietnam?

The cost of extension depends on the visa type and duration of extension. On average, from $30 to $100 USD.

Are there discounts for children?

Children under 14 listed in parents' passports receive a discounted visa rate.

Emergency situations

What should I do if I exceed my stay duration?

You must contact the nearest immigration office, pay a fine, and arrange exit documents.

Can I extend a visa due to illness?

Yes, if you have medical documents, visa extension for medical reasons is possible.

Conclusion

Key facts about visas for Vietnam

Vietnam's visa regime offers various opportunities for entry to the country. Foreign travelers can:

Visit the country without a visa for up to 45 days
Apply for an e-visa for trips up to 90 days
Obtain long-term visas for extended stays
Use different visa types depending on the purpose of travel

Key recommendations

When planning a trip to Vietnam, you should:

Determine the purpose and duration of your trip in advance
Check passport validity
Prepare required documents
Consider seasonality and visa center workload
Keep copies of all documents

Important reminders

Regularly check the current visa rules
Comply with stay duration limits in the country
Store documents in a safe place
Have emergency service contacts with you

Information accuracy

Since visa rules may change, it is recommended to:

Monitor updates on the official embassy website
Consult with visa centers
Verify information before each trip
Consider possible seasonal changes

Final thoughts

Vietnam offers sufficiently flexible entry conditions for foreign travelers. With proper planning and document preparation, obtaining a visa is not problematic. The main thing is to pay careful attention to requirements and deadlines, and to plan the details of your trip in advance.

Helpful resources

Official website of the Vietnam Embassy
Vietnam Immigration Service Portal
Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official visa centers

Information is current as of the publication date. It is recommended to verify current requirements before planning your trip.