Vietnam Passport Visa-Free Countries
12 visa-free destinations among the 88 we track
12
Visa-free
6
Visa on arrival
15
e-Visa available
54
Visa required
Counts reflect the popular destinations we currently track, not every country worldwide — your passport may grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to additional destinations. Always confirm with the destination's official immigration authority before travel.
The Vietnamese passport is a lower-tier travel document, ranked 84th on the 2026 Henley Passport Index with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 48 destinations. Like Indonesia’s, its strength is almost entirely regional: as an ASEAN member Vietnam gets 30 days visa-free in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Outside Southeast Asia the pickings are thin — all 29 Schengen states, the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan all require visas arranged in advance — but there are a few standout long-stays, notably 90 days visa-free in Chile and Panama and a growing set of e-visa options. For nomads it works best as a Southeast Asia base passport, with most other regions needing paperwork booked weeks ahead.
Key Strengths
- ASEAN freedom of movement: 30 days visa-free each in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar — the whole region on the passport alone (and Myanmar gives Vietnam a longer 30-day tier than most ASEAN peers)
- Two genuine long-haul wins in Latin America: 90 days visa-free in both Chile and Panama
- Thailand’s 30-day exemption for Vietnamese sits on a stable bilateral agreement, so it was untouched by the May 2026 cut that reduced other nationalities from 60 to 30 days
- A broad e-visa toolkit for pre-planned trips: India, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Morocco, Colombia, Fiji and Australia (subclass 600) can all be lodged online, plus a 90-day Kenya eTA
Recent Policy Changes
Most 2025–2026 movement for Vietnamese travelers has been incremental: the UAE added Vietnam to its visa-on-arrival scheme from 25 June 2026, but only for holders of a residence permit from an approved country, and Ghana launched an all-nationalities e-visa portal on 25 May 2026 (Nigeria’s e-visa opened in May 2025). Thailand’s widely reported cut of its 60-day visa exemption to 30 days (Cabinet decision 19 May 2026) did not affect Vietnam, whose 30-day access rests on a separate bilateral agreement. South Africa’s new 2026 eTA does not extend to Vietnam (only China, India, Indonesia and Mexico qualify), and Europe’s EES biometric checks (rolling out since 12 October 2025) plus the coming ETIAS do not change the standing requirement for Vietnamese to hold a Schengen visa.
Where you can go
Vietnam Visa Access Map
No visa needed
Visa-Free Countries
12 popular destinations you can visit without a visa
Asia (9 countries)
Americas (2 countries)
Africa (1 country)
Every visa-free stay has a hard limit
Record your dates and review travel days in NomadSync as you plan. Confirm each destination's entry rules before travel.
Schengen Area Access
Vietnam passport holders require a Schengen visa to visit the 29 Schengen member states. A single Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all member countries.
The 90/180 rule is confusing. Let NomadSync count for you.Visa on Arrival
Countries where Vietnamese passport holders can get a visa at the border
e-Visa Available
Countries with online visa applications for Vietnamese passport holders
Tips for Vietnamese Passport Holders
Travel tips for Vietnamese travelers
- •Vietnam’s passport is visa-heavy outside ASEAN: all of Schengen, the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan need embassy visas — build in several weeks of lead time and expect document and funds requirements
- •Watch for "conditional" access that looks easier than it is: Turkey’s e-visa only works if you already hold a Schengen/US/UK/Ireland visa, and the UAE’s new visa-on-arrival needs a foreign residence permit — without those, both mean a full embassy visa
- •Lean on the true e-visas where they exist (India, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Morocco, Colombia, Fiji, and Australia’s subclass 600) and on the paid eTAs for Kenya and Sri Lanka — apply online before you travel rather than at the airport
- •Vietnam taxes residents on worldwide income and treats you as a tax resident at 183+ days of presence in a calendar year (or with a permanent home in Vietnam) — if you go nomadic, track your days and keep records to manage your residency status
Longest visa-free stays in our data
Digital nomad visa options
These countries offer digital nomad visas and are accessible to Vietnamese passport holders:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries can Vietnamese passport holders visit visa-free?
Among the popular destinations we track, Vietnamese passport holders can visit at least 12 completely visa-free. Including visa on arrival (6) and e-Visa destinations (15), a total of 33+ destinations are accessible without a traditional embassy visa. Your passport may also grant access to additional countries beyond those listed here.
Do Vietnamese passport holders need a visa for Europe?
Yes. Vietnam passport holders require a Schengen visa to visit the 29 Schengen Area countries in Europe. A single Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all member states.
Which countries offer visa on arrival for Vietnamese passport holders?
Among the destinations we track, 6 offer visa on arrival for Vietnam passport holders, including Nepal, Maldives, Jordan, Tanzania, Rwanda. Check the destination's official rules before travel, including approved arrival points and any pre-registration requirements.
Which tracked visa-free destinations have the longest stays for Vietnamese passport holders?
The longest stays recorded in our data include Chile (90 days), Panama (90 days), Kenya (90 days). Check each destination's current entry conditions before booking.
What recent visa policy changes affect Vietnamese passport holders?
Most 2025–2026 movement for Vietnamese travelers has been incremental: the UAE added Vietnam to its visa-on-arrival scheme from 25 June 2026, but only for holders of a residence permit from an approved country, and Ghana launched an all-nationalities e-visa portal on 25 May 2026 (Nigeria’s e-visa opened in May 2025). Thailand’s widely reported cut of its 60-day visa exemption to 30 days (Cabinet decision 19 May 2026) did not affect Vietnam, whose 30-day access rests on a separate bilateral agreement. South Africa’s new 2026 eTA does not extend to Vietnam (only China, India, Indonesia and Mexico qualify), and Europe’s EES biometric checks (rolling out since 12 October 2025) plus the coming ETIAS do not change the standing requirement for Vietnamese to hold a Schengen visa.
How often is this visa-free list updated?
The entry data for this passport was last reviewed in July 2026, with individual corrections made when we find changes. Visa policies can change at any time, so confirm the current rules with the destination country's official immigration authority before traveling.
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Going beyond visa-free?
Log your itinerary and review recorded travel days in NomadSync.