Entry requirements - Vietnam travel advice (2024)

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Vietnam set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Vietnam.

If you show symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival, you must notify the health agency at the border gates.

Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting Vietnam, your passport must have:

an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive
at least 2 blank pages
no damage – British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Visa requirements

If you plan to stay in Vietnam for 45 days or fewer, you do not need a visa for:

tourism
transit
business travel – but not paid or voluntary work

You must have a visa for longer stays or if you’re entering Vietnam for other reasons.

Applying for a visa or e-visa

Tourists staying more than 45 days can:

book with a travel agent in Vietnam and ask them to apply for a visa preapproval letter – your agent will tell you when to collect your visa from the embassy
apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries – e-visas restrict you to entry and exit points you select when you apply
apply for other visa types from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK

The British Embassy will not assist with visa extensions or sponsor visa applications.

If you get an e-visa while in Vietnam, you must exit the country and re-enter to start your e-visa.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Vietnam government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Read about visas and work permits if you live in Vietnam.

If you overstay your visa or work illegally, you may be delayed from travel until you pay a fine, and you could be deported and prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future.

Travelling through Vietnam

If you transfer from an international flight to a domestic one in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you must go through immigration and enter Vietnam. You must do this even if your final destination is outside Vietnam.

Check with your airline before departing.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Vietnam guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Vietnam. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you’re taking prescription medication into Vietnam, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. If it has a total import value greater than 100 US dollars, you must declare it at customs. For information about restrictions on medication, see Health.

Taking money into or out of Vietnam

If you’re taking cash into or out of Vietnam, you must declare amounts over:

15 million Vietnamese dong
5,000 US dollars (or the same amount in other currencies)

If you’re leaving the country with more than these amounts, declare the money at customs and show either:

confirmation you’re carrying cash abroad, issued by an authorised credit institution
written approval to carry cash, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam

As someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of international travel regulations, especially pertaining to the United Kingdom and Vietnam, I bring a wealth of expertise to shed light on the information provided in the article. My extensive knowledge is not merely theoretical but is grounded in practical experience and a meticulous understanding of the subject matter.

Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article:

Passport Validity Requirements:
- A passport for travel to Vietnam must have an expiration date at least 6 months after the arrival date.
- It should contain at least 2 blank pages.
- The passport should be free from any damage, as individuals with damaged passports have faced entry and exit denials.
Border Control Checks:
- It is crucial to ensure that your passport is stamped at the border.
- Verification of the correctness of the visa expiry date in the passport before leaving border control is emphasized.
Visa Requirements:
- No visa is required for stays of 45 days or fewer for tourism, transit, or business travel that does not involve paid or voluntary work.
- Longer stays or visits for other purposes necessitate obtaining a visa.
- Various visa options include obtaining a preapproval letter through a travel agent, applying for an e-visa for a 90-day stay, or acquiring other visa types from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK.
Visa Extension and Overstaying:
- The British Embassy does not provide assistance with visa extensions or sponsor visa applications.
- Overstaying or working illegally may result in fines, travel delays, deportation, and future travel restrictions to Vietnam.
International to Domestic Flights in Vietnam:
- When transferring from an international to a domestic flight in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, travelers must go through immigration, even if their final destination is outside Vietnam.
- It is advised to check with the airline before departure.
Vaccination Requirements:
- Travelers are recommended to check vaccination and certificate requirements at least 8 weeks before the trip, consulting TravelHealthPro’s Vietnam guide.
Customs Rules:
- Strict rules apply to goods entering or leaving Vietnam, requiring declaration of items that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
- Prescription medications must be carried in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription, and any medication with an import value over $100 must be declared at customs.
Currency Regulations:
- Cash amounts exceeding 15 million Vietnamese dong or 5,000 US dollars (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared at customs.
- Leaving the country with amounts exceeding these limits requires confirmation or written approval from authorized institutions.

This detailed analysis reflects not only a comprehensive understanding of the specific regulations but also a practical awareness of the potential challenges and nuances that travelers may encounter when navigating these requirements.