Do you need a visa for Vietnam from Germany, France, the Netherlands or Estonia? A clear explanation of visa-free stays, the 90-day e-visa, Phu Quoc rules and what to check before you fly.
Quick answer: Many European nationalities — including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the Nordic countries — can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Everyone else, and anyone staying longer, can apply online for an e-visa valid for up to 90 days. Rules change, so always confirm on the official Vietnamese immigration portal before booking flights.
Visa questions are the most common emails we receive from European travellers, and it is easy to see why. Vietnam has updated its entry rules several times in recent years, and online forums are full of outdated advice. This guide explains how the system works today in plain language, so you know exactly what to prepare.
Important: this article is general travel information, not legal advice. Entry rules are set by the Vietnamese government and can change at short notice. We always confirm the current requirements for each traveller's passport when we prepare their trip.
Option 1: visa-free entry (exemption)
Vietnam grants unilateral visa exemptions to a growing list of countries. For several Western European nationalities — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland among them — the visa-free stay is up to 45 days per entry. In 2025 the list was extended to further European countries, so if your nationality is not mentioned here, check the latest official list rather than assuming you need a visa.
What visa-free entry means in practice:
- You do not apply for anything in advance. You simply show your passport at immigration.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive.
- Have proof of onward travel (a return or onward flight) and your first hotel address ready — airlines sometimes ask for it at check-in in Europe.
- The exemption is for tourism and short visits. Working in Vietnam requires a different visa.
Option 2: the Vietnam e-visa (up to 90 days)
Since 2023 Vietnam offers an electronic visa to citizens of all countries. It is valid for up to 90 days and can be issued for single or multiple entries. This is the best choice if your nationality does not have an exemption, if you are staying longer than 45 days, or if you plan to leave Vietnam and come back — for example, a side trip to Angkor Wat in Cambodia before flying home from Hanoi.
How to apply for the e-visa, step by step
- Use only the official government e-visa website. Many look-alike sites charge several times the real fee.
- Upload a clear passport photo page scan and a recent portrait photo with a white background.
- Enter your planned arrival date and the exact airport or land border where you will enter. Your e-visa is tied to that entry point.
- Pay the government fee online by card.
- Processing normally takes about three working days. Apply at least two weeks before departure, and longer before Tet or Christmas.
- Print your approved e-visa and keep a copy on your phone.
Special case: Phu Quoc island
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's tropical island in the south, has its own rule: foreign visitors arriving directly on an international flight can stay on the island visa-free for up to 30 days, regardless of nationality. If you fly to Phu Quoc via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you pass through mainland immigration first, and the normal national rules apply.
Combining Vietnam with Cambodia or Laos
Many of our European guests combine Vietnam with Angkor Wat or Luang Prabang. Remember that leaving Vietnam ends your visa-free stay. If you come back to Vietnam afterwards, you either need a new exemption entry (if your nationality qualifies) or a multiple-entry e-visa. Cambodia and Laos both have their own visa or e-visa systems, which we explain when we plan multi-country routes.
Common mistakes we see (and how to avoid them)
| Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Using an unofficial visa website | You pay two to five times the fee, sometimes with delays | Use only the official government portal |
| Wrong entry airport on the e-visa | Problems at check-in or immigration | Double-check your arrival airport before submitting |
| Passport valid for less than six months | Airline may refuse boarding in Europe | Renew your passport before booking |
| Overstaying the 45 days | Fines and possible future entry problems | Count days carefully or choose a 90-day e-visa |
| Re-entering after Cambodia on a single-entry visa | You need a new visa at the border | Choose a multiple-entry e-visa |
What else to prepare before you fly
- Travel insurance with medical cover. European health insurance cards are not valid in Vietnam.
- Vaccinations: none are legally required for travellers coming from Europe, but your doctor or a travel clinic can advise on recommended ones.
- Money: cards work in hotels and many restaurants; carry some dong in cash for markets and taxis. ATMs are widely available.
- SIM card: buy an eSIM before departure or a local SIM at the airport — data is inexpensive.
Arriving in Vietnam: what happens at immigration
Your first contact with Vietnam is the immigration hall at Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) or Da Nang airport. The process is usually straightforward:
- Follow the signs for foreign passports. If you have an e-visa, have the printout ready with your passport.
- The officer checks your passport, takes your photo and may scan your fingerprints.
- Your passport is stamped with your entry date and the permitted length of stay.
- Collect your luggage and pass customs. Most European travellers walk through the green channel.
In peak hours queues can take 30–60 minutes, especially when several long-haul flights from Europe and the Gulf arrive at the same time. A fast-track service can be booked for families, older travellers or anyone with a tight connection to a domestic flight.
Customs allowances for travellers from Europe
Vietnam limits the duty-free import of alcohol and tobacco, and large amounts of cash or gold must be declared. Allowances can change, so check the current rules if you plan to bring wine as a gift or carry significant amounts of foreign currency. Medicines for personal use are fine; bring a copy of your prescription and keep them in their original packaging.
Children, dual nationals and special cases
- Children need their own passport and follow the same visa rules as adults.
- Dual nationals should enter and leave Vietnam on the same passport they used to obtain the exemption or e-visa.
- Travellers with a Vietnamese background may be eligible for special visa exemption certificates; check with the Vietnamese embassy in your country.
- Business travellers and MICE groups attending conferences or meetings should confirm whether a business visa is required rather than a tourist entry.
Visa planning for multi-country trips
A classic Indochina route — Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia — needs a little more visa planning. Laos and Cambodia both offer electronic visas or visas on arrival for most European nationalities, and both require a passport with at least six months' validity and blank pages. When we design multi-country itineraries, we sequence the countries so travellers cross each border as few times as possible, and we provide a document checklist for every border crossing.
How Eurasia DMC helps
Before every trip we confirm the correct entry option for each passport in the group, share the official links, check that the e-visa entry points match the flight bookings and remind travellers of passport validity. It is a small service, but it removes one of the main sources of stress before a long-haul holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Do German citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
German citizens can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism. For longer stays, apply for the 90-day e-visa.
Do Dutch or Belgian travellers need a visa for Vietnam?
The list of exempt European countries has been expanding. Check the official immigration portal for the latest status of your nationality; if you are not exempt, the e-visa takes about three working days.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Vietnam?
Traditional visa on arrival is now rarely needed. Most travellers use either the visa exemption or the e-visa, both of which are simpler.
Does Eurasia DMC arrange visas?
We advise every guest on the correct option for their passport, send a checklist and support travellers through the e-visa process when needed.
How long does the Vietnam e-visa take?
Usually about three working days, but apply at least two weeks before departure to be safe, especially before holidays.
Can I extend my stay in Vietnam?
Extensions are sometimes possible through licensed agencies, but rules change. It is simpler to choose the 90-day e-visa if you plan a long stay.
Planning your Vietnam trip? See our Vietnam holiday packages for European travellers.
