Vietnam Tourist Visa: The Complete Guide 2026
45-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, embassy visa: all the options for visiting Vietnam in 2026. Detailed comparison, in-country extensions, and practical tips for French and French-speaking travelers.
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Visiting Vietnam: Your Visa Options at a Glance
Vietnam attracts millions of visitors every year, and for good reason: breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary cuisine, an unbeatable cost of living, and contagious energy. But before setting foot on the tarmac of Tân Sơn Nhất or Nội Bài, you need to sort out the visa issue.
Good news: in 2026, the options are more flexible than ever. Between visa exemption, e-visa, Visa on Arrival, and embassy visa, you're spoiled for choice. We'll explain everything in detail so you can make the right choice for your situation.
Option 1: The 45-Day Visa Exemption (The Simplest)
What is it?
Since August 2023, Vietnam has granted a 45-day visa exemption to nationals of 13 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and several Nordic countries. This policy has been extended and remains in effect in 2026.
In practice, you arrive at the airport, present your passport, the immigration officer stamps a 45-day stay, and that's it. No forms, no fees, no extra waiting.
Conditions
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry
- Exit ticket: theoretically mandatory (plane or bus to a neighboring country). In practice, it's rarely requested, but having at least a cancellable reservation is prudent.
- Single entry: if you leave Vietnam, you'll have to wait 30 days before benefiting from the exemption again. Exception: some sources indicate that this restriction was eased in 2024, but it's best to check with the embassy or get an e-visa for multiple entries.
Who is it ideal for?
Are you coming for less than 45 days, don't plan to leave and return, and want the hassle-free solution? The exemption is for you. It's free and immediate.
Option 2: The E-Visa (The Most Flexible)
Quick Reminder
The Vietnamese e-visa is 90 days with multiple entries for 25 USD, applied for online in 10 minutes. We have a complete dedicated article on the subject, but here's the gist:
- Apply online on the official website evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
- Issued in 3 business days
- Valid at all border crossings
- Open to all nationalities
Who is it ideal for?
Are you staying more than 45 days, or do you want to be able to leave and return freely during your stay (weekends in Cambodia, Laos...)? The e-visa is the obvious choice.
Option 3: The Visa on Arrival (VOA)
How does it work?
The Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a visa that you pick up upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam. But be careful, it's not as simple as it sounds: you can not simply disembark without anything and ask for a visa at the counter.
The process takes place in two stages:
- Before departure: you apply for an approval letter from an accredited visa agency. Cost: between 20 and 50 USD depending on the agency and the type of visa.
- On arrival: you present your approval letter at the "Landing Visa" counter at the airport. You fill out a form, attach a photo, and pay the stamping fee in cash: 25 USD for a single entry, 50 USD for multiple entries.
Advantages of the VOA
- Possibility of obtaining visas for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months
- Single or multiple entries
- Fast procedure at the airpo
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