Home > Vietnam Travel Requirements: Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of Your Visit
At LUMA, we strive to give our members access to the right information. We try to be as accurate as possible, but we might encounter some delays. Please note that this page is for informational purposes only. We strongly encourage you to double-check travel requirements with the Vietnamese embassy in your country of residence.
Approximately 12.6 million people visit Vietnam every year to explore the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City, cruise through Ha Long Bay, or trek through the highlands of Da Lat.
However, before you begin your trip, it’s important to understand the country’s entry requirements and travel regulations to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know before traveling to Vietnam, including travel insurance, passport, visa, vaccinations, and customs requirements, so you can arrive prepared and enjoy your stay.
All major embassies recommend that travelers purchase adequate travel insurance before departure to Vietnam, as foreign governments won’t cover claims made abroad. You will be personally liable for things like medical costs if you don’t have travel insurance.
With LUMA travel insurance, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered for medical emergencies, hospital stays, and even medical evacuation if needed during your stay in Vietnam.
Our worldwide network of healthcare experts and 24/7 support ensures fast, reliable access to quality care, no matter where your journey takes you.
Whether you’re traveling from the US, the UK, Australia, or any other country, following Vietnam’s passport requirements is essential for entering the country.
While Vietnam’s visa policies, which we will discuss shortly, vary depending on your nationality and the length of your stay, its passport requirements are consistent across all travelers.
Here are some important points to keep in mind when it comes to your passport when traveling to Vietnam:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Vietnam.
For example, if you’re arriving on July 1, your passport should not expire before January 1 of the following year.
This rule is strictly enforced, and travelers with passports nearing expiry may be denied boarding or entry into Vietnam.
This six-month validity rule helps avoid complications during your stay or departure and ensures you meet onward travel requirements to other countries in the region, many of which have similar rules.
Additionally, you must enter and exit Vietnam on the same passport, as this impacts how immigration tracks and verifies your identity, visa status, and legal stay in the country.
Your password must contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps. While Vietnam doesn’t place a visa sticker at the port of entry, except for visa-on-arrival scenarios, an empty page is still needed for the entry and exit stamps placed by border control.
It’s a good idea always to have two blank pages available, especially if you plan to travel to neighboring countries and return to Vietnam during your trip.
Your password must contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps. While Vietnam doesn’t place a visa sticker at the port of entry, except for visa-on-arrival scenarios, an empty page is still needed for the entry and exit stamps placed by border control.
It’s a good idea always to have two blank pages available, especially if you plan to travel to neighboring countries and return to Vietnam during your trip.
All travelers, regardless of their age, must carry their own passports when entering Vietnam. Children can’t be listed on a parent’s passport to enter the country.
While not a passport requirement, parents or guardians traveling with minors are advised to carry documentation proving their relationship to the child.
This could be a certified birth certificate, adoption papers, or court-issued custody documents. This helps reduce delays during any questioning.
Vietnam’s visa policies are generally straightforward, but they depend on your nationality, length of stay, and the purpose of your visit. Vietnam offers a variety of visa-free entry, E-visas, and traditional visa options for travelers.
Here’s what you need to know about getting your Vietnamese visa before entering the country:
Vietnam offers limited visa exemptions for short stays, but these policies only apply to certain nationalities:
Asian citizens: In Asia, the following countries are eligible for visa exemption of between 14 and 45 days: Brunei, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Vietnam’s E-visa is available to citizens of over 80 countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia. It’s one of the most convenient ways to secure entry for short to medium-length trips.
The E-visa is suitable for travelers staying in Vietnam for up to 90 days and can be issued for either single or multiple entries.
Let’s unpack E-visas for Vietnam in more detail:
Required documents: You’ll need a passport with at least six months of validity, a digital passport-sized photo, a scanned copy of your passport’s information page, and a credit or debit card for online payment.
Here is an overview of the application process for an E-visa for traveling to Vietnam:
Vietnam offers a visa-on-arrival option, but this only applies to travelers with a pre-approved visa letter.
You’d need to apply for a visa approval letter online through a licensed travel agency. You’ll then receive the approval letter via email, which typically takes around three business days.
You must present your pre-approval letter when you arrive at a Vietnamese airport to receive your visa.
Additionally, you’ll need to have certain documents with you to get your visa on arrival. These include:
Travelers must apply for a visa through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in their home country for longer stays or specialized travel purposes, like work, study, or journalism.
Overstaying your visa in Vietnam can result in fines of around $20 per day, delays in departure, and potential blacklisting or entry bans for future visits.
If you want to extend your stay in Vietnam past your visa expiration date, you must contact the local immigration office or apply through a reputable agency before your visa expires.
While Vietnam doesn’t currently require proof of any vaccinations for entry, certain immunizations are highly recommended depending on the nature of your trip, your length of stay, and the areas you plan to visit.
As of 2025, there are no mandatory vaccinations required for travelers entering Vietnam. You don’t need to show proof of vaccinations for diseases like yellow fever, COVID-19, or other illnesses.
However, if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, like those located in South America and Africa, Vietnam may require proof of yellow fever vaccination.
It’s recommended that you stay up to date on certain vaccinations to ensure your trip to Vietnam is as safe as possible.
These vaccinations include measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), and polio.
These vaccines are part of standard immunization schedules in the US, the UK, and Australia, but adults should double-check that boosters are current, especially for tetanus.
As an extra precaution, you may also want to check with your doctor if it would be best to get extra vaccinations such as:
Understanding Vietnam’s customs regulations is important, as this will help you avoid delays, fines, and the confiscation of your items at the border.
Vietnam uses a dual-channel customs system at airports and international points of entry. Here’s how it works:
If you’re unsure whether an item needs to be declared, go through the red channel and ask Vietnamese authorities to avoid potential penalties.
When visiting Vietnam, you’re required to submit a customs declaration if you’re:
When leaving Vietnam, certain items are restricted or prohibited from being taken out of the country. This includes:
By understanding entry requirements, health precautions, and local customs before you visit Vietnam, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, safer journey.
To truly travel with confidence, make sure you’re protected every step of the way. With a global network of healthcare experts, 24/7 support, and comprehensive medical coverage, LUMA travel insurance for Vietnam gives you peace of mind to fully enjoy your travels.
Medical and travel support experts are on hand to assist you during emergencies.
Global presence with offices in South East Asia and Europe.
We’re available around the clock to assist with urgent medical situations.
$200,000 minimum coverage for medical expenses. Unlimited coverage is also available.
Unlimited coverage for emergency medical evacuation.
Unlimited coverage for returning you home if you cannot continue your trip after a medical evacuation.
Covered Up to $5,000.
Covered Up to $5,000.
Covered Up to $1,500.
We work with global partners to deliver insurance services, emergency medical assistance, and travel support.
“LUMA Travel Insurance” is the commercial name of the travel insurance policy insured by Bao Long Insurance Corporation, distributed globally by Luma International and serviced by Luma Care Co. Ltd.
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