Vietnam visa 2026: exemption, e-visa, requirements

Vietnam visa 2026: exemption, e-visa, requirements

French citizens, and most EU nationals, get a visa exemption for tourist stays of less than 45 days in Vietnam. Beyond that, the official e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days with multiple entries. Here are the exact requirements and the process for 2026.

Tourist stay without visa (≤ 45 days)

On arrival, the immigration officer stamps a temporary 45-day permit. It’s free and automatic for French passport holders.

Conditions to meet

• 📘 Passport: valid at least 6 months after the arrival date in Vietnam.
• ✈️ Return or onward ticket: printed or on a phone, checked by some airlines at check-in.
• 📝 Entry form: handed out on the flight or available at a kiosk on arrival.

These rules are set by Vietnam’s Immigration Department. Check the latest updates on evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or with the Embassy of Vietnam in Paris.

The e-visa for stays of 46 to 90 days

If your stay exceeds 45 days, or if you’re planning multiple entries, the e-visa becomes necessary.

How to apply for the e-visa

1. Go only to the official site evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
2. Fill out the form with an ID photo and a scan of your passport page.
3. Pay 25 USD by card.
4. Receive the e-visa by email within an average of 3 working days.
5. Print the document, to present with your passport on arrival.

⚠️ Caution: many private sites charge 40 to 80 USD while presenting themselves as the official service. The government rate stays fixed at 25 USD, only through the site listed above.

E-visa features

• Duration: 90 days
• Entries: multiple, useful for a circuit including a trip to Cambodia or Laos
• Compatible entry points: 28 border checkpoints, air, land and sea
• Not renewable on site: to stay longer, you must leave the country and reapply

Online registration in Ho Chi Minh City

Since April 15, 2026, a prior online registration applies specifically to arrivals through Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), for all foreign nationals, with or without a visa. This formality is added on top of the exemption or e-visa, it doesn’t replace them. Check whether it applies before departure if your flight lands in Ho Chi Minh City rather than Hanoi.

Visa for a longer stay or another purpose

Student visa (DH)

For studying at a recognized Vietnamese institution.

• Duration: length of studies
• Requirement: letter of acceptance from the school or university

Work visa (LD)

For an employment contract in Vietnam.

• Duration: 1 to 2 years, renewable
• Requirement: work permit obtained by the Vietnamese employer before the application

Special cases

Traveling with a minor

A minor traveling with a single parent needs an exit authorization on the French side (CERFA form n°15646). No additional formality is required on the Vietnamese side for the 45-day exemption.

Dual nationality

Present the passport that gives you the most favorable exemption. Use the same passport for outbound and return travel to avoid any confusion at immigration.

Transit without leaving the airport

No visa required if you stay in the international transit zone with your checked baggage until your next flight.

Entry refusal on arrival

Rare but possible: damaged passport, missing return ticket, or a prior deportation from Vietnamese territory. In case of refusal, you’ll be sent back to the boarding country at the traveler’s or carrier’s expense depending on the case.

Other practical info Vietnam

• Vaccines: none mandatory, WHO recommendations
• Currency (₫ Dong): cash, cards and withdrawals
• Time difference: +5h / +6h from Paris
• Airports: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang
• Safety: snatch theft, tourist scams
• Budget: how much to plan per day

Page written by Marie L., Southeast Asia specialist, editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. 12 years of experience, regular stays in Vietnam since 2016. Updated: July 29, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.