The Ultimate Guide to Vietnam Visa Exemption for ASEAN Citizens

Ask five ASEAN friends how long they can stay in Vietnam without a visa and you will probably get five different answers. A Thai traveller, a Filipino traveller and someone from Myanmar all have different limits, and a wrong guess can cost you a missed flight or a refused boarding. On top of that, look-alike websites charge extra fees for the e-visa. This guide gives you the exemption rules for each ASEAN country, the paperwork you need, and the steps to follow if you need more time than your passport allows.

Who Gets Visa-Free Entry: Exemption Lengths by Country

Most citizens of ASEAN member countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for tourism or short business trips. Do not apply for anything in advance if your stay fits inside your limit. The limit depends on your nationality.

30 days

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Thailand

21 days

• Philippines

14 days

• Brunei Darussalam
• Myanmar

No exemption

• Timor-Leste: citizens are not eligible for visa exemption and must get a visa before arrival.

Count the days from your date of entry and plan your return flight inside that window. If you are Filipino and book a 25-day trip, you are four days over your limit before you leave home.

The Four Conditions Immigration Checks at the Border

Holding the right passport is only half of it. Officers at the counter look for four things.

1. Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Vietnam.
2. Return or onward ticket: You need a confirmed return ticket or a ticket to another country. Officers may ask for proof, so keep it printed.
3. Gap between exempt entries: If you re-enter under visa exemption, there typically needs to be a minimum of 30 days between the date you exited Vietnam under an exemption and the date you re-enter under another one. This rule applied to some nationalities in the past. Confirm whether it applies to your passport before you plan back-to-back trips, using the official immigration website or the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate.



4. Purpose of visit: Exemption is for tourism or short business activities. It does not cover employment in Vietnam.

Check the passport date first. Many travellers have a passport that looks fine but falls short of the six-month rule once you count from the entry date.

Applying for the Vietnam E-Visa, Step by Step

All countries and territories, including every ASEAN member state, can apply for the Vietnam e-visa. It allows a stay of up to 90 days and can be single or multiple entry. The only official website is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, run by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. Third-party sites often charge higher fees.

1. Open the website. Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Select “For foreigners” and then “E-visa issuance”.
2. Upload your photos. You need a recent passport-style photo on a plain white background, with no glasses or hats. You also need a full scan of your passport data page. Make sure both images are clear and meet the specifications.
3. Fill in the form. Enter your personal details, passport information, intended entry and exit dates, and proposed entry and exit checkpoints (airports, land borders or seaports). Check every field.
4. Review and pay. The e-visa fee is 25 USD (about 630,000 VND). You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, JCB or American Express. The official website charges no additional processing fees.
5. Save your registration code. After payment you receive a unique code. Save it, because you need it to check your application status.
6. Check status and download. Processing typically takes 3 working days. Check your status with the registration code, date of birth and email address. When approved, download the e-visa and print it in colour. You must show the printout on arrival.

E-Visa Entry and Exit Ports You Can Choose

You must name your proposed entry and exit checkpoints in the application, so it helps to know your options. These are examples, and the full list is on the official website.

• International airports: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), Phu Quoc, Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Can Tho, Lien Khuong (Da Lat), Phu Bai (Hue) and others.



• Land border gates: Mong Cai, Huu Nghi, Lao Cai, Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Ha Tien, Tinh Bien and others.
• Seaports: Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and others.

Overland travellers from Cambodia and Laos have good options here. Moc Bai and Xa Mat serve the Cambodia routes, and Lao Cai and Huu Nghi connect to the north.

Visa-on-Arrival in 2026: Why It Is Mostly Obsolete

Visa-on-arrival (VOA) in Vietnam is generally not a walk-up service. You need a pre-approved visa approval letter from a licensed Vietnamese travel agency. With the e-visa now available to everyone, VOA is largely redundant for ASEAN citizens, who are either exempt or can apply online.

It may still make sense for urgent travel when an e-visa cannot be processed in time. If you go this route, follow these steps:

1. Get the approval letter. Contact a reputable Vietnamese travel agency and pay their service fee.
2. Receive it by email. This usually takes 1–2 business days.
3. Go to the VOA counter. At an international airport, bring the letter, your passport, the completed entry/exit form and passport-sized photos.
4. Pay the stamping fee directly to the immigration officer: 25 USD (about 630,000 VND) for single entry up to 90 days, or 50 USD (about 1,260,000 VND) for multiple entry up to 90 days.
5. Get your visa sticker in your passport.

The e-visa needs no approval letter and no separate stamping fee on arrival, so it is the better choice for most people.

What Happens at the Airport After You Land

The process is similar at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang.

1. Immigration. Visa-exempt travellers show their passport and, if asked, their return or onward ticket. E-visa holders show their passport and the printed e-visa. VOA holders go to the “Visa On Arrival” counter first, then to a regular immigration counter.
2. Baggage claim. Collect your bags from the carousel.
3. Customs. This is usually quick for tourists unless you have items to declare.

Your ground transport options are:

• Taxis: Mai Linh (green cars) and Vinasun (white cars) are reputable. Agree a price or make sure the meter is on.
• Ride-hailing: Grab and Be are widely used in major cities. Set them up before you land. You can book cars or motorbikes.
• Airport buses: Many airports have affordable buses into the city centre.



• Vietnam Railways: From Noi Bai, take a bus or taxi to Hanoi Railway Station for onward trains. Book at dsvn.vn, which accepts international credit cards.

What Changed Since 2024

The biggest shifts came in August 2023 and are fully in place by 2026:

• E-visa expansion: The programme grew from 80 eligible countries to all countries and territories worldwide.
• Longer validity: The maximum e-visa stay went from 30 days to 90 days.
• Multiple entry: E-visas now support multiple entries within the 90-day validity.
• More ports: International checkpoints accepting e-visas rose from 28 to 42.

For ASEAN travellers, the exemption durations have not changed, and no major changes are anticipated for 2026. The practical difference is that the fallback is now easier. If you outgrow your exemption window, you can apply online for up to 90 days instead of sorting out an agency letter.

2026 Budget Reality: What Entry Really Costs

These figures use an estimated rate of 1 USD = 25,200 VND, which may move. The tiers below describe the cost of getting into the country.

• Budget (visa-exempt entry): 0 VND (0 USD) in visa fees, if you meet the conditions and stay within your limit. Your only cost is a printed onward ticket.
• Mid-range (official e-visa): 25 USD, about 630,000 VND, with no extra processing fees on the official website.
• Comfortable (visa-on-arrival, multiple entry): 50 USD, about 1,260,000 VND in stamping fees, plus the agency’s service fee for the approval letter.

For onward travel, a Hanoi to Da Nang soft sleeper train is projected at about 1,000,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND (roughly 40–60 USD) depending on class and season. This is an estimate based on current rates, so check dsvn.vn for the live fare.

Carry some Vietnamese Dong for daily costs. US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, but VND is what you need day to day. Exchange at airports, banks or ATMs.

Common Mistakes ASEAN Travellers Make

• Assuming every ASEAN passport gets 30 days. Filipinos get 21 days. Brunei and Myanmar passport holders get 14. Timor-Leste citizens get none.
• Ignoring the six-month passport rule. Count from your entry date, not your booking date.
• Travelling without an onward ticket. Without confirmed proof, the exemption may not apply.
• Using a third-party e-visa site. Only evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn is official, and other sites charge higher fees.
• Relying on phone screens. Digital copies may not be accepted. Print your e-visa in colour, plus your onward ticket.
• Losing the registration code. You cannot check your e-visa status without it.



• Planning back-to-back exempt trips without checking. Confirm the 30-day re-entry gap rule for your passport.
• Skipping the rules check. Visa rules can change, so check the official site or your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate before you fly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ASEAN citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Most do not. Citizens of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand get 30 days visa-free. Filipinos get 21 days, and Brunei and Myanmar passport holders get 14 days. Timor-Leste citizens are not exempt and must get a visa before arrival.

How long can a Filipino stay in Vietnam without a visa?

Filipino citizens can stay 21 days without a visa. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date and a confirmed return or onward ticket. If you want to stay longer, apply for an e-visa, which allows up to 90 days.

How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost?

The e-visa costs 25 USD, about 630,000 VND. You pay on the official site, evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, by Visa, MasterCard, JCB or American Express. The official site adds no processing fees. Processing typically takes 3 working days, and third-party sites often charge more.

Can Timor-Leste citizens apply for a Vietnam e-visa?

Yes. All countries and territories are eligible for the e-visa, including Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste citizens are not visa-exempt, so they must apply before travelling. The e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days, with single or multiple entries, through the official website.

Do I need to print my Vietnam e-visa?

Yes. Print your e-visa in colour and present it at immigration with your passport. Digital copies on a phone may not be accepted or may be hard to access at the counter. Also print your return or onward ticket, because officers may ask to see it.

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📷 Featured image by Khanh Nguyen on Unsplash.