Vietnam Visa Exemption 45 Days: Which Countries Can Enter Visa-Free?
Find out which countries qualify for Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption in 2026, eligibility rules, entry conditions, and visa options.
Wondering vietnam visa exemption 45 days which countries can benefit from? In 2026, Vietnam allows citizens of 24 countries to enter visa-free for up to 45 days under current exemption policies. This guide from Tubudd covers the eligible countries, stay period, entry requirements, and what to do if you need a visa.
Vietnam Visa Exemption 45 Days: Which Countries?
Vietnam Visa Exemption 45 Days: Which Countries?
In 2026, citizens of 24 countries can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay for up to 45 days, subject to the applicable entry conditions.
The countries are covered by two unilateral visa-exemption policies.
Country
Maximum visa-free stay
Russia
45 days
Japan
45 days
South Korea
45 days
Denmark
45 days
Norway
45 days
Finland
45 days
Sweden
45 days
United Kingdom
45 days
France
45 days
Germany
45 days
Spain
45 days
Italy
45 days
Belgium
45 days
Bulgaria
45 days
Croatia
45 days
Czech Republic
45 days
Hungary
45 days
Luxembourg
45 days
Netherlands
45 days
Poland
45 days
Romania
45 days
Slovakia
45 days
Slovenia
45 days
Switzerland
45 days
Vietnam 45-Day Visa Exemption for the First 12 Countries
The first group includes Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
The policy is currently effective until March 14, 2028. Eligible travelers can stay for up to 45 days from the date of entry, provided they meet Vietnam's entry requirements.
Note: British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are not included in this particular exemption.
Vietnam 45-Day Visa Exemption for 12 More European Countries
Since August 15, 2025, Vietnam has also granted a 45-day visa exemption to Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
For this group, the exemption applies to travelers entering Vietnam for tourism purposes and is currently scheduled to remain effective until August 14, 2028.
How Is the 45-Day Visa-Free Period Calculated?
The 45-day period starts from the date you enter Vietnam.
For example, if you enter Vietnam on September 1, your 45-day visa-free period is counted from September 1. It is not calculated from your flight booking or departure date.
What Are the Entry Requirements?
Being from an eligible country does not automatically guarantee entry. Travelers should still:
Hold a valid passport from an eligible country.
Have at least 6 months of passport validity from the date of entry.
Meet Vietnam's immigration requirements.
For the additional 12 European countries, enter Vietnam for tourism purposes.
Always check the conditions applicable to your passport before traveling.
Do You Need a Vietnam E-Visa If You Can Stay 45 Days Visa-Free?
No. If you qualify for the 45-day visa exemption and meet the entry requirements, you do not need a Vietnam e-visa for that visa-free stay.
If you are not eligible for the exemption or plan to stay longer, a Vietnam e-visa may be an option. An e-visa can allow a stay of up to 90 days, depending on the visa issued.
Option
Maximum stay
Visa application
45-day visa exemption
45 days
Not required if eligible
Vietnam e-visa
Up to 90 days
Required
Phu Quoc exemption
Up to 30 days
Not required if eligible
The Phu Quoc exemption is a separate policy and should not be confused with the 45-day nationality-based exemption.
What If Your Country Is Not on the 45-Day Visa-Free List?
What If Your Country Is Not on the 45-Day Visa-Free List?
Not being on the 45-day list does not necessarily mean you cannot visit Vietnam. Other bilateral visa-exemption arrangements may apply, depending on your nationality and passport.
If you do not qualify for an exemption, you can check whether a Vietnam e-visa is suitable for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries get 45 days visa-free in Vietnam?
In 2026, the current 45-day unilateral exemption policies cover 24 countries, including Russia, Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and other listed European countries.
Is Vietnam visa-free for 45 days in 2026?
Yes, citizens of the 24 countries covered by the current policies may enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, subject to the applicable conditions.
Are UK citizens eligible for 45 days in Vietnam?
Yes. UK citizens are included in the 45-day exemption, although BNO passport holders are excluded from this particular policy.
Do US citizens get the 45-day visa exemption?
The United States is not included in the current 24-country unilateral 45-day exemption list. US travelers should check the visa requirements applicable to their trip.
Can I stay more than 45 days without a visa?
The 45-day exemption itself allows a maximum visa-free stay of 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, investigate an appropriate visa option before traveling.
Final Thoughts
If you are searching for vietnam visa exemption 45 days which countries, Vietnam currently offers 45-day visa-free entry to citizens of 24 countries under two exemption policies. Before traveling, check your passport, nationality, purpose of travel, and passport validity against the applicable rules, as visa policies can change.
