Vietnam visa-free tourist stay: a 30-day baseline, with 45-day exemptions and 90-day e-visas
Vietnam receives 35 out of 100 points for visa-free tourist stay days. The result is lower to middle range because part of the visa-free access is shorter than countries offering 90 or 180 days. At the same time, Vietnam has clearly opened its entry system in recent years.
The practical rule is layered: some nationalities receive 30 visa-free days, several important European and Asian nationalities have had 45 days since 2025, and the electronic visa can cover up to 90 days for many travellers. Planning must therefore start with passport nationality and purpose of stay.
What the measured value means
The measured value is 30 days. It represents a conservative visa-free short-stay window for Vietnam and does not capture every more favourable exemption.
The direction of the rating is still understandable: a 30-day baseline is usable for tourism and short location tests, but it is much tighter than 90 days. Travellers who want to test Vietnam for longer should check whether their nationality qualifies for 45 visa-free days or whether an eVisa is the better route.
Current rules and requirements
The Vietnamese government has expanded visa-free entry for several nationalities. Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025 names Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. For that group, a 45-day visa exemption applies from 15 March 2025 until 14 March 2028 if the general entry conditions are met.
- Conservative baseline: 30 days as a short visa-free comparison value.
- 45-day exemption: for the 12 countries named in Resolution 44/NQ-CP from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028.
- eVisa: the national Immigration portal describes electronic visas with a maximum validity of 90 days, single or multiple entry.
- Passport: eVisa applicants need a valid passport; older portal guidance has referred to more than 6 months of remaining validity as a practical requirement.
- Entry control: admission remains subject to Vietnam's general exclusion and security rules for foreign nationals.
Duration, extensions and limits
Vietnam can look confusing because several stay lengths sit next to each other. Some travellers rely on a short visa-free exemption; the 12 countries under Resolution 44 get 45 days; the eVisa can support longer tourist or business short stays of up to 90 days.
The eVisa is not a work or residence permit. Anyone planning to work in Vietnam, serve local clients, build a company, live long term or use family-based stay rights needs a different basis from a tourist short stay.
Planning the route in practice
For a classic Vietnam trip, 30 to 45 days can be enough if the route is planned carefully. Visitors who want to test Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang or several regions should consider the eVisa if the visa-free period is too short.
For digital nomads and movers, Vietnam is therefore split: entry is more digital and more flexible than before, but the tourist framework remains limited. Accommodation, onward travel, health insurance, tax questions, local work restrictions and possible visa changes should be checked before booking.
What this indicator does not measure
The indicator does not measure eVisa approval odds, processing time, fees, border decisions, local registration, work permits, long-stay visas, a digital-nomad route or quality of life in Vietnam.
It also does not mean all nationalities automatically receive 30, 45 or 90 days. Passport nationality, travel purpose, entry point, eVisa eligibility, previous stays and the current Vietnamese rule all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam visa-free for German travellers for 30 or 45 days?
Under Resolution 44/NQ-CP, German nationals are covered by a 45-day visa exemption from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028, provided general entry conditions are met.
Why does the measured value still show 30 days?
The measured value represents a conservative visa-free short-stay baseline. More favourable rules apply to specific nationalities and should be checked separately before travel.
How long can a Vietnamese eVisa be valid?
The national Immigration portal describes eVisas with a maximum validity of 90 days and single or multiple entry.
Can tourists work in Vietnam?
No. A tourist short stay is not work permission. Local employment or long-term activity requires the appropriate visa or work-permit basis.
Related indicators
- 🛃 Visa Application Ease in Vietnam
- 🚧 Border Openness in Vietnam
- 🛬 Travel and Entry Comfort in Vietnam
- 💰 Visa Income and Asset Requirements in Vietnam
Sources
- Vietnam Government Portal - Resolution 44/NQ-CP and 45-day exemption for 12 countries
- Vietnam Official Gazette - Resolution 44/NQ-CP original document
- Vietnam Immigration Department - eVisa up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
- Vietnam Immigration Department - eVisa application, passport conditions and fee notes
This article was created on July 22, 2026
