Vietnam Expands Visa-Free Entry to 12 More European Countries
Vietnam expands its visa exemption program to include 12 new European countries, allowing 45-day tourist stays until 2028 and boosting international travel.
The Vietnam expands its visa exemption policy to include 12 additional European countries as part of efforts to boost tourist arrivals and support the tourism sector. Since 2023, Vietnamese authorities and tourism stakeholders have sought to increase visitor numbers. Visa exemption agreements with multiple countries have been negotiated, and all prior resolutions have now been superseded. Affected travelers will benefit from extended visa-free stays through 2028. The latest update was published on March 5, 2025.
On August 8, 2025, the Vietnamese government issued Resolution 229/NQ-CP, announcing the addition of new nationalities.
Newly Added Countries
Citizens of the following countries will now be eligible for visa-free entry for tourism stays of up to 45 days: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This policy is valid from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028. Travelers from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland were already exempt from visa requirements since March 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025. These three nationalities are now included under the new resolution, which also concludes on August 14, 2028.
Previously Exempted Nationalities
As of March 15, 2025, other nationalities have also benefited from the 45-day visa-exempt stay program. This includes passport holders from: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Following the revision of Resolution 44/NQ-CP on March 7, 2025, these nationalities may also enter Vietnam without a visa under the policy, which also remains valid until August 2028.
24 Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Travel
To qualify for visa-free entry, travelers must meet the following conditions:
Maximum stay of 45 days within Vietnam, starting from the date of entry
Tourism purpose for the stay
The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure from Vietnam
For stays exceeding the 45-day visa-free allowance, travelers may apply for an e-visa.
Vietnam’s visa exemption policy is designed to facilitate easier access for tourists and bolster the tourism sector. Valid through August 14, 2028, this measure aligns with a broader strategy to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges and position Vietnam as a leading tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The government has also introduced specific exemptions for strategic visitor categories, such as researchers and investors, to support the country’s socio-economic development. This policy has contributed to a significant rise in international tourism, with more than 12 million visitors recorded in the first seven months of 2025.
