Vietnam has announced a new visa exemption. As of 15 August, travellers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and eight other European countries will be allowed to stay visa-free in Vietnam for 45 days. If you want to stay more than 45 days in Vietnam, you can apply for your Vietnam e-visa here.
Visa exemption for twelve new countries
Early August, the Vietnamese immigration service announced that travellers from twelve European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Switzerland) will be eligible for a visa exemption. This exemption came into effect on 15 August 2025 for Dutch and Belgian travellers, and it will remain in force until 14 August 2028.
The above-mentioned countries are joining other European countries that could already benefit from the visa exemption: Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, among others. Travellers from Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic can travel to Vietnam without a visa since March 2025, but only if their trip was booked through a tour operator. Since 15 August, they can also stay visa-free in Vietnam if they have organised their trip themselves.
Visa exemption requirements
As of mid-August, citizens of the above countries can travel visa-free to Vietnam. To qualify for the visa exemption, the trip must meet a number of requirements. Travellers can stay visa-free in Vietnam for a maximum of 45 days. If the stay in Vietnam is longer than 45 days, a visa is needed. If you will be staying for more than 45 consecutive days in Vietnam, you should apply for an e-visa for Vietnam. The e-visa allows you to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days.
The Vietnamese authorities have established certain requirements regarding not only the maximum length of stay in the country, but also the travel purpose. Only tourist travellers to Vietnam are eligible for the visa exemption. Business travellers and those who intend to work or study in the country still need a visa. For business trips (attending meetings or conferences), it is possible to use the e-visa. Those who wish to work for a Vietnamese company or study in the country will need a physical visa. The physical visa can be applied for at the embassy.
Exceptions for special professions
Besides the visa exemption for citizens of the above-mentioned countries, the Vietnamese authorities have announced new measures for people with specific professions that contribute to Vietnam's socio-economic development. Travellers invited by senior Vietnamese officials, or people working in the academic sector, such as researchers, teachers and scientists will be able to obtain a visa exemption for a period of 5 years. Other individutals who can benefit from this special exemption are honorary consuls, investors and influential people in the cultural or sports sector.
Viet Nam – Travel to Love
The extension of visa is part of the Tourism Development Stimulus Plan, also known as Viet Nam – Travel to Love. This initiative by the Vietnamese government aims to stimulate tourism in Vietnam. In addition to visa exemptions, the programme includes campaigns to promote regions and places of interest, the organisation of events and the improvement of the country's infrastructure.