To enter Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos, it is worth checking visa requirements before departure – especially if your trip crosses land borders or returns to the same country more than once.
Visa arrangements in Indochina are now much easier for many travellers. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos all operate electronic visa systems, but each country has its own rules on visa exemptions, permitted stay, passport type, single or multiple entry and eligible border crossings.
This guide is written primarily for international leisure travellers, but the Vietnam section also keeps the full country-by-country passport reference because diplomatic, official, service, special, ordinary and seaman passport rules can differ considerably.
Start with your route: decide which countries you will enter, whether you will enter Vietnam more than once, and the exact land, rail, river or airport border points you plan to use. Then choose the visa or visa exemption that fits that itinerary.
VIETNAM
1. Who needs to apply for a visa to Vietnam?
Whether you need a visa depends mainly on your nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and planned length of stay. Vietnam currently has two major 45-day exemption schemes, several bilateral ordinary-passport exemptions, special rules for Phu Quoc and a nationwide e-visa system for travellers who need a visa.
45 days visa-free: 12 countries under the general exemption
Citizens of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom can currently stay visa-free for up to 45 days from the date of entry. This policy runs from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 and applies regardless of passport type or purpose of entry, provided Vietnam’s legal entry conditions are met.
UK passport note: British National (Overseas), or BNO, passport holders are not covered by this exemption and need an appropriate visa.
45 days visa-free for tourism: 12 additional European countries
Citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland can currently stay visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism purposes. This policy runs from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028.
For a normal holiday, this means an eligible traveller in this second group does not need an e-visa for a stay within 45 days, provided the conditions of the tourism exemption are met.
For a shorter, ordinary-passport-only explanation, see Who Is Exempt from a Vietnam Visa?
2. Full Vietnam visa-exemption reference by country and passport type
The table below keeps the broad country coverage of the original Tonkin Travel article while updating the practical tourist answer for 2026. The passport-type columns are based on Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-exemption matrix, while the Tourist / ordinary traveller in 2026 column also reflects the later 45-day tourism policy that took effect in August 2025.
How to read the table: “Yes” means that passport category is covered by an exemption shown in the official passport matrix. A dash means no exemption is shown for that category in that matrix. For ordinary leisure travellers, always use the “Tourist / ordinary traveller in 2026” column as the quickest practical answer.
| No. | Country | Diplomatic | Official / Service / Special | Ordinary for official purpose | Ordinary | Seaman | Tourist / ordinary traveller in 2026 | Duration / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan (Islamic State) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 2 | Albania (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 3 | Algeria (People’s Democratic Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 4 | Angola (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 5 | Argentina (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 6 | Armenia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 7 | Azerbaijan | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 1 month |
| 8 | Bangladesh (People’s Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 9 | Belarus (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free 30 days per visit; total visa-free stay no more than 90 days in a calendar year | 30 days for all passport types; ordinary-passport stays may not exceed 90 days in a calendar year |
| 10 | Belgium | – | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | No bilateral passport exemption shown in the 30 June 2025 MOFA matrix; current 45-day tourism exemption applies under Resolution 229 |
| 11 | Bolivia | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 12 | Botswana | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 13 | Brazil (Federative Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 14 | Brunei Darussalam | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 14 days | 30 days for diplomatic/official passports; 14 days for ordinary passports |
| 15 | Bulgaria (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days within a 180-day period for the bilateral passport categories shown |
| 16 | Cambodia (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 17 | Cameroon | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 18 | Chile (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 90 days | 90 days |
| 19 | China (People’s Republic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for the passport categories shown |
| 20 | Colombia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 21 | Costa Rica (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 22 | Croatia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 30 days for the bilateral passport categories shown |
| 23 | Cuba (Republic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 24 | Cyprus (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 25 | Czech Republic | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days for diplomatic passports under the bilateral agreement |
| 26 | Denmark (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 27 | Dominica (Commonwealth) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 28 | Dominican Republic | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 29 | Ecuador (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 30 | Egypt | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 31 | El Salvador (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 32 | Estonia (Republic) | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days within a 180-day period |
| 33 | Finland (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 34 | France (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | Diplomatic passport: up to 3 months within 6 months under bilateral agreement; other passport types: 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 35 | Germany (Federal Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 36 | Greece | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days within a 180-day period |
| 37 | Hungary (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days for the bilateral passport categories shown |
| 38 | India (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for diplomatic/official passport holders |
| 39 | Indonesia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 14 days for diplomatic/official passports; 30 days for ordinary passports |
| 40 | Iran (Islamic Republic) | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for diplomatic passports |
| 41 | Iraq (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 42 | Israel | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for diplomatic passports |
| 43 | Italy (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | Diplomatic passport: up to 90 days within 6 months under bilateral agreement; other passport types: 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 44 | Ivory Coast (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 45 | Japan | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports under bilateral agreement; 45 days for other passport types under Resolution 44 |
| 46 | Kazakhstan (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free 30 days per visit; total stay no more than 90 days within 180 days | 30 days for all passport types; ordinary-passport stays may not exceed 90 days within 180 days |
| 47 | Korea (Democratic People’s Republic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 48 | Korea (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports under bilateral agreement; 45 days for other passport types under Resolution 44 |
| 49 | Kuwait | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days within a 6-month period |
| 50 | Kyrgyzstan (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 51 | Laos (People’s Democratic Republic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 52 | Liberia | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 53 | Luxembourg | – | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | No bilateral passport exemption shown in the 30 June 2025 MOFA matrix; current 45-day tourism exemption applies under Resolution 229 |
| 54 | Macedonia | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 3 months within a 6-month period |
| 55 | Malaysia | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 56 | Malta | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 57 | Mexico (United Mexican States) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 58 | Moldova (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 59 | Mongolia | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports; 30 days for ordinary passports |
| 60 | Montenegro | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 61 | Morocco (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 62 | Mozambique (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 63 | Myanmar | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 64 | Nepal | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 65 | Netherlands | – | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | No bilateral passport exemption shown in the 30 June 2025 MOFA matrix; current 45-day tourism exemption applies under Resolution 229 |
| 66 | Nicaragua (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 30 days |
| 67 | Nigeria | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 68 | Norway (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 69 | Oman | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 70 | Pakistan (Islamic Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 71 | Panama (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 90 days | 90 days |
| 72 | Paraguay (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 73 | Peru (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 74 | Philippines (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 21 days | 30 days for diplomatic/official passports; 21 days for ordinary passports |
| 75 | Poland (Republic) | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days within 180 days for diplomatic passports under the bilateral agreement |
| 76 | Qatar | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 77 | Romania | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 30 days for diplomatic/official passport holders |
| 78 | Russia (Federation) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports; 30 days for seaman passports; 45 days for ordinary passports under Resolution 44 |
| 79 | Serbia | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 80 | Seychelles | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 81 | Singapore (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports; 30 days for ordinary passports |
| 82 | Slovakia (Republic) | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days for diplomatic passports |
| 83 | Slovenia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 3 months within a 6-month period for the bilateral passport categories shown |
| 84 | South Africa (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for diplomatic/official passport holders |
| 85 | Spain (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | Diplomatic passport: up to 90 days within 180 days under bilateral agreement; other passport types: 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 86 | Sri Lanka (Democratic Socialist Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 87 | Sudan (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days within a 180-day period |
| 88 | Sweden (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44 |
| 89 | Switzerland (Confederation) | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa-free up to 45 days for tourism | 90 days for diplomatic passports under the bilateral agreement |
| 90 | Tanzania (United Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 91 | Thailand (Kingdom) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | Visa-free 30 days | 30 days |
| 92 | Timor-Leste (Democratic Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Ordinary-passport visa-exemption agreement signed in June 2026; check current entry-into-force status before relying on visa-free entry | 30 days for diplomatic/official passports under the agreement currently reflected in MOFA’s matrix |
| 93 | Tunisia (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 94 | Turkey (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 95 | Uganda | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 96 | Ukraine | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days for diplomatic/official passports; 30 days for seaman passports |
| 97 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 98 | United Kingdom (UK) | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Visa-free up to 45 days | 45 days under Resolution 44; BNO passports are not covered |
| 99 | Uruguay (Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
| 100 | Uzbekistan | Yes | – | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 60 days for diplomatic passports |
| 101 | Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic) | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport; check the official e-visa system or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate | 90 days |
Timor-Leste: Vietnam and Timor-Leste signed a new visa-exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders in June 2026. Because the official treaty database result available at the time of this review did not yet provide a verified entry-into-force date for that new ordinary-passport agreement, travellers should check its current legal status before relying on visa-free entry.
Popular tourist passports not covered by Vietnam’s general visa-free list
Some of Tonkin Travel’s largest English-speaking markets are not in the ordinary-tourist exemption list. These travellers should normally check the official Vietnam e-visa system before departure.
| Country | Ordinary tourist passport | Practical option |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
| Canada | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
| Ireland | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
| New Zealand | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
| Portugal | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
| United States | Visa required for an ordinary tourist passport | Vietnam e-visa is the usual online option to check |
Do Israeli citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, if travelling on an ordinary Israeli passport. Israel appears in Vietnam’s exemption matrix for diplomatic passports, but ordinary Israeli tourist passports are not covered by a general visa exemption. For a normal holiday, the official Vietnam e-visa is the main online option to check.
3. Where can you apply for a Vietnamese visa?
For most ordinary leisure travellers who need a visa, the most straightforward option is Vietnam’s official electronic visa system. Travellers with another visa category or an unusual case can also contact the relevant Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
Official Vietnam e-visa portal: evisa.gov.vn
4. How does the Vietnam e-visa work?
Vietnam issues e-visas to foreigners from all countries and territories, subject to the normal immigration conditions. The e-visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days and can be issued for either single or multiple entry.
| Single-entry e-visa | US$25 |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | US$50 |
| Maximum validity | Up to 90 days |
- Complete the online application with details matching your passport exactly.
- Upload the required passport-page image and portrait photograph.
- Choose the correct entry dates and single or multiple entry.
- Pay the official e-visa fee.
- Keep your application details so you can check the result.
- Once approved, download and print a copy of your e-visa and keep it with your travel documents.
Multi-country trip? If you enter Vietnam, continue to Cambodia or Laos and then return to Vietnam during the same visa period, check whether you need a multiple-entry e-visa.
5. Which border crossings accept a Vietnam e-visa?
Vietnam currently designates 83 international border gates for e-visa entry and exit. These include airports, land and railway crossings, river crossings and seaports.
Air border gates
- Cat Bi
- Cam Ranh
- Can Tho
- Da Nang
- Noi Bai
- Phu Quoc
- Phu Bai
- Tan Son Nhat
- Van Don
- Tho Xuan
- Dong Hoi
- Phu Cat
- Lien Khuong
- Vinh International Airport
- Chu Lai International Airport
- Long Thanh International Airport (once operational)
- Gia Binh International Airport (once operational)
Land, railway and river border gates
- Bo Y
- Cha Lo
- Cau Treo
- Huu Nghi
- Ha Tien
- Lao Bao
- Lao Cai international land border gate
- La Lay
- Moc Bai
- Mong Cai
- Nam Can
- Na Meo
- Vinh Xuong international land and river border gate
- Tinh Bien
- Tay Trang
- Xa Mat
- Dong Dang railway border gate
- Lao Cai railway border gate
- Tra Linh
- Long Sap
- Nam Giang
- Le Thanh
- Binh Hiep
- Thuong Phuoc land and waterway border gate
- Dinh Ba international border gate
- Tan Nam international border gate
- Thanh Thuy international border gate
Sea border gates
- Chan May
- Cam Pha
- Da Nang
- Duong Dong
- Dung Quat
- Hon Gai
- Hai Phong
- Nghi Son
- Nha Trang
- Quy Nhon
- Ho Chi Minh City Port
- Vung Ang
- Vung Tau
- Van Gia
- Diem Dien
- Hai Thinh
- Ninh Binh
- Cua Lo-Ben Thuy
- Son Duong
- Giang
- Hon La
- Cua Viet
- Thuan An
- Ky Ha
- Sa Ky
- Vung Ro
- Ca Na
- Ninh Chu
- Phu Quy
- Lien Huong
- Ben Luc
- Dong Thap
- Soai Rap-Hiep Phuoc
- My Thoi
- Hon Chong
- An Thoi
- Truong Long Hoa
- Giao Long
- Nam Can
Overland travellers: recheck the official border-gate list immediately before applying, especially if your route crosses from Cambodia, Laos or China by road or rail.
6. Is Vietnam visa on arrival still available?
Vietnam can still issue visas at international border gates in specific circumstances, but visa on arrival should not be treated as the standard option for an independent tourist.
Current law provides border-gate visa issuance for defined cases, including travellers coming from countries without a competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority, travellers who passed through another country before arriving, visitors on qualifying tours organised by international tourism companies in Vietnam, certain crew members, family emergencies and other cases specified by law.
For a normal holiday, if you need a visa, the official e-visa before departure is generally the simpler route.
7. Can you visit Phu Quoc without a Vietnam visa?
Foreign passport holders can qualify for a special visa exemption for stays of up to 30 days on Phu Quoc. Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that eligible travellers may transit through another Vietnamese international border gate before continuing to Phu Quoc under the island exemption conditions.
Important: the Phu Quoc exemption does not by itself authorise onward travel around mainland Vietnam. If your itinerary includes Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City or the Mekong Delta, use the normal visa or visa-exemption rules for your passport.
8. Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information Declaration in 2026
Vietnam introduced a Pre-Arrival Information Declaration during 2026. An official notice published by the Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore on 2 July 2026 encourages foreign travellers arriving through Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc international airports to complete the declaration within three days before arrival or upon arrival.
Official portal: prearrival.immigration.gov.vn.
Check your arrival airport shortly before flying: implementation guidance has varied during the 2026 rollout. The declaration is separate from your visa or visa exemption.
CAMBODIA
1. Who needs to apply for a visa to Cambodia?
Most international tourists need a visa for Cambodia unless their passport is covered by a visa-exemption agreement. Cambodia has ordinary-passport exemptions with several neighbouring ASEAN countries, while many other visitors use either the tourist e-visa or visa on arrival at an eligible checkpoint.
Chinese passport holders in 2026: Cambodia is operating a temporary visa-free trial from 15 June to 15 October 2026. Eligible PRC passport holders, including passports from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao but excluding Taiwan travel documents, can stay for up to 14 days per visit and make multiple entries during the pilot period, provided the required e-Arrival formalities are completed.
2. Cambodia tourist e-visa
| Tourist e-visa fee | US$30 |
| Entry | Single entry |
| Validity | 3 months |
| Length of stay | 1 month |
| Typical processing | Around 3 business days |
Official Cambodia e-visa portal: evisa.gov.kh.
3. Which Cambodian entry points accept the e-visa?
Cambodia’s official e-visa service currently lists major e-visa entry points including:
- Techo International Airport
- Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
- Sihanoukville International Airport
- Bavet – Svay Rieng, on the Vietnam-Cambodia route
- Tropaeng Kreal – Stung Treng, on the Laos-Cambodia route
Border operating status can change, especially on overland routes, so verify the current checkpoint list on the official e-visa portal before buying transport tickets.
Overland from Thailand? Poipet and Cham Yeam are currently listed as temporarily closed for Cambodia e-Visa entry until further notice. Check the official e-Visa portal before planning your border crossing.
4. Is Cambodia visa on arrival available?
Visa on arrival remains available at eligible Cambodian checkpoints. This can be useful when your nationality qualifies but your planned border does not support the e-visa. Always verify the exact checkpoint and current eligibility before travelling.
5. Cambodia e-Arrival
Cambodia also requires travellers to complete the Cambodia e-Arrival, including visitors who already hold a visa. It is separate from the visa itself and can be submitted online within seven days before arrival.
Official Cambodia e-Arrival portal: arrival.gov.kh.
LAOS
1. Who needs to apply for a visa to Laos?
Laos visa requirements depend on nationality. Some travellers qualify for visa-free entry, while many others can use the official Lao e-visa or visa on arrival at an eligible checkpoint.
2. How does the Laos e-visa work?
| Purpose | Tourism |
| Passport | Ordinary passport |
| Entry | Single entry |
| Stay | Up to 30 days |
| Approval Letter validity | Maximum 60 days |
| Processing | Normally around 3 working days after a complete application and payment |
Official Lao e-visa portal: laoevisa.gov.la.
The e-visa fee varies by nationality. Applicants need an ordinary passport valid for more than 180 days from the date of arrival, a passport bio-page scan and a recent 4 × 6 cm colour photograph. Once approved, print one copy of the eVisa Approval Letter and present it with the same passport used for the application.
3. Which Laos border crossings accept the e-visa?
The Lao e-visa is currently available at 9 designated entry points:
- Wattay International Airport – Vientiane
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I – Vientiane
- Luang Prabang International Airport
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II – Savannakhet
- Pakse International Airport
- Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV – Bokeo
- Boten International Checkpoint
- Boten Railway Station
- Khamsavath Railway Station – Vientiane
The Lao authorities state that you may use any designated e-visa port, not necessarily the one originally indicated in your application. If you arrive at a non-e-visa port, you need the applicable visa-on-arrival procedure instead where available, and the e-visa fee is not refundable.
4. Is Laos visa on arrival available?
Visa on arrival remains available to many travellers at major Lao checkpoints. The Lao Department of Immigration describes a stay of up to 30 days for this visa category, but nationality eligibility and checkpoint facilities vary.
Check your exact checkpoint through the official Lao Department of Immigration before travelling.
5. Lao Digital Immigration Form
Laos now uses the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) for foreign travellers. Complete the required arrival or departure registration online within three days before entering or leaving Laos, and check the latest checkpoint instructions at immigration.gov.la.
TRAVELLING THROUGH VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & LAOS
1. Check every border before applying
If you fly between the main international airports, visa planning is usually straightforward. Overland, river and railway trips need more attention because not every checkpoint accepts every e-visa.
2. Check single versus multiple entry
Vietnam offers both single and multiple-entry e-visas. Cambodia’s tourist e-visa and the Lao e-visa are single-entry arrangements. If your international flight home leaves from Vietnam after a side trip to Cambodia or Laos, make sure your Vietnam entry permission covers the return.
3. Use the same passport linked to your visa
If you hold more than one passport, present the passport used for the visa or e-visa application. The visa information must match the passport shown to immigration.
4. Keep printed and offline copies
Carry printed documents where the official instructions require them and keep offline copies on your phone. This is particularly important for the Lao eVisa Approval Letter and useful for Vietnam and Cambodia approvals as well.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
- Check whether your passport is visa-exempt in each country.
- Confirm the exact number of days allowed.
- Check passport validity before applying or booking non-refundable travel.
- Identify every international border crossing in your itinerary.
- Confirm that each checkpoint accepts your planned visa or e-visa type.
- Check whether you need single or multiple entry.
- Make sure names, dates and passport numbers are correct.
- Print approval documents where required.
- Complete any separate digital arrival or departure form.
- Recheck official immigration information shortly before departure.
PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY
Once your route is clear, visa planning is usually one of the simpler parts of an Indochina journey. The more important question is how to connect Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos without unnecessary flights, backtracking or rushed border crossings.
At Tonkin Travel, we design private journeys around your available time, preferred pace and the border crossings that make practical sense for your itinerary.
Planning a tailor-made journey through Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos? Contact Tonkin Voyage Travel.
OFFICIAL VISA & IMMIGRATION LINKS
- Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-exemption matrix: Viet Nam’s visa exemption list
- Vietnam 45-day exemption – Resolution 44: Government News
- Vietnam 45-day tourism exemption – Resolution 229: Government News
- Vietnam e-visa: Vietnam Immigration Department
- Vietnam e-visa border gates: 83 designated border gates
- Vietnam Pre-Arrival Information: Official declaration portal
- Cambodia e-visa: Official Government e-visa portal
- Cambodia e-Arrival: Official Cambodia e-Arrival
- Laos e-visa: Official Lao e-visa portal
- Laos Immigration: Department of Immigration
Always recheck the latest official requirements shortly before departure, particularly if your trip involves a land, railway or river border crossing.
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