Vietnam entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
45 days
Max stay
45 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
UK passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism or short business visits. No prior visa is needed – just present your passport on arrival and you'll receive an entry stamp. This policy is in effect as of now, with no extra fees or pre-approval required.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before travel | Apply at the official Vietnam eVisa portal at evisa.xuatnhhapcanh.gov.vn. The fee is $25 USD for single entry or $50 USD for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3 working days — do not book flights until you have the approval letter.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your UK passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Vietnam. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure | Immigration officers at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed copy of your hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration may ask for it if you look unsure about where you are staying. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Have access to at least $1,000 USD or equivalent in cash, credit card, or bank statement. Officers rarely ask, but if they do, you need to show you are not working illegally. | Recommended |
Cannot extend – leave on time
The 45-day visa-free is final. No extensions are possible. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for a tourist visa (e-visa or embassy) before you travel, or leave the country and re-enter for another visa-free period.
Passport validity – 6 months compulsory
Immigration will turn you away if your passport has less than 6 months left. Check your passport’s expiry date before you book flights – renew if necessary.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Vietnam airport
You’ll land at a major airport like Noi Bai (Hanoi) or Tan Son Nhat (HCM City). Follow signs to ‘Immigration’ or ‘Arrivals’. Don’t get distracted by visa-on-arrival counters – those are for nationals who need a visa.
2
Join the foreign passport queue
Look for the line marked ‘Foreign Passports’ or ‘All Passports’. It’s usually separate from Vietnamese citizens. Have your passport ready.
3
Present your passport and boarding pass
Hand over your passport with the photo page facing the officer. They may also ask for your boarding pass (keep it). They’ll scan your passport, approve the visa-free entry, and stamp the date.
4
Receive the entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with a 45-day ‘visa-free’ entry. Check the stamp shows the correct date. Then collect your passport and proceed to baggage claim.
Download Vietnam Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost25 USD (via eVisa or embassy)
Apply online or at Vietnamese embassy; allows longer stay than visa-free.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost50 USD (via eVisa or embassy)
Good for multiple trips within validity; extension possible at immigration office.
Long-stay visa (1-year multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost135 USD (via embassy or agent)
Requires sponsorship or agent; suitable for frequent travellers or retirees.
work visa
Vietnam Work Visa (LD1/LD2)
1–2 years, renewable
~$100–200 USD (employer-sponsored)
For foreign employees with a job offer from a Vietnamese company. Requires work permit and sponsorship. Allows long-term stay and multiple entries.
student visa
Vietnam Student Visa (DH)
Up to 1 year, renewable
~$50–100 USD (institution-assisted)
For enrolled students at a Vietnamese university or language school. Requires admission letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work.
investor visa
Vietnam Investor Visa (DT)
1–5 years, renewable
~$500–1,000 USD (depending on investment amount)
For foreign investors with a minimum capital contribution (usually $50,000+). Requires business registration and proof of investment. Grants long-term residency.
retirement visa
Vietnam Retirement Visa (TT)
1 year, renewable annually
~$200–300 USD (via agent)
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. $1,000/month). Requires a local sponsor or agent. Allows multiple entries.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine (per day)Fine for overstaying visa-free period; maximum cap may apply. | 500,000 VND (~$21 USD) |
| Overstay fine (maximum cap)Cap for extended overstays; may also lead to deportation or ban. | Up to 5,000,000 VND (~$210 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Vietnam
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders transiting through Vietnam airports do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing immigration. For domestic connections or leaving the airport, a visa is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If transiting to a domestic flight, a visa is required.
- If leaving the airport during transit, a visa is required.
Transit hubsNoi Bai International Airport (HAN) - Hanoi · Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) - Ho Chi Minh City · Da Nang International Airport (DAD) - Da Nang
Health & vaccines for Vietnam
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; common in urban and rural areas, especially rainy season.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid from contaminated food/water.
Zika virusModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in cities and main tourist areas; moderate in rural highlands (e.g., Da Lat, Sapa). Prophylaxis recommended for rural travel.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Hanoi
Hanoi Immigration Office
44 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:30–16:30
For visa extensions or re-entry permits; bring passport, photos, and completed form.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City Immigration Office
333 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:30–16:30
Popular for extensions; arrive early to avoid long queues.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalHanoi
LanguageVietnamese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceIDP required alongside US license.
Money
CurrencyVietnamese Dong (VND)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 26,256 VND
Time zone
Local timeUTC+7
vs New York+12h (EST) / +11h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+15h (PST) / +14h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,CType A, C, F — US plugs (Type A) fit some sockets. Bring an adapter.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Vietnam
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Vietnam — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free period is strictly 45 days and cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, you must either leave Vietnam before day 45 and re-enter (which resets the clock for another 45 days) or apply for a visa in advance (such as a 90-day tourist e-visa) if you need a continuous long stay.
Yes. Each entry gives a fresh 45-day visa-free period. However, performing back-to-back land border crossings multiple times may raise questions about your purpose. For most short trips, it’s fine.
If you stay airside and don’t pass immigration, no visa is needed. If you want to leave the airport during a layover, you can use the visa-free 45 days as long as your total time in Vietnam is under 45 days.
No. The visa-free entry is for tourism, short business meetings, or transit. Any paid work, volunteering, or study requires the appropriate visa arranged in advance.
Overstays are fined: common rates are around 500,000 VND (about £17) per day, but can be higher for longer overstays. Overstaying more than a week may also get you blacklisted. Leave on time to avoid penalties.
No. For stays up to 45 days, UK passport holders get a visa-free stamp on arrival. No e-visa or letter is required. If you want to stay longer than 45 days, you must apply for a visa beforehand (like a 90-day tourist e-visa).
No. The visa-free entry is free. There’s no stamp fee or processing charge. Just walk up to immigration and get your stamp.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.