This page reflects the UK Government’s understanding of the current rules for travel from the UK by persons holding a full “British Citizen” passport, which apply to the most common types of travel.
Vietnamese authorities formulate and enforce entry rules.
All passengers
From March 15, 2022, Vietnam has reintroduced visa-free policy for nationals of 13 countries, including the United Kingdom. Visa waiver allows to visit Vietnam for up to 15 days without applying for a visa.
See the visa section for more information, including those wishing to stay longer than 15 days.
Travelers to Vietnam must wear masks and follow hand washing and other COVID-19 requirements. Airlines and connecting points may impose additional requirements on these regulations, so you should check with your travel company/airline before traveling to find out what is required.
Vietnam no longer distinguishes between vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers for entry purposes. All travelers must adhere to the same entry requirements. However, some airlines and insurance companies may have additional requirements, so please check with them before traveling.
Proof of negative COVID test result
From May 15th, you no longer need to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to Vietnam. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, loss of taste, smell, headache, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, etc.), you must notify the health agency at the border crossing.
If you are fully vaccinated
Vietnam entry requirements are the same for all travelers, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. View all travelers.
Proof of vaccination status
You do not need to provide proof of vaccination status to enter Vietnam.
If you are not fully vaccinated
Vietnam entry requirements are the same for all travelers, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. View all travelers.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year
Vietnam entry requirements are the same for all travelers, regardless of whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year.
If you are transiting through Vietnam
Transit is when you pass through a country on your way to your final destination.
Please check with your airline before departure.
exempt
There are no exemptions from entry requirements in Vietnam.
Check your passport and travel documents before travelling
passport expiry date
If you are visiting Vietnam, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date of your arrival.
Some British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to damaged passports. Please make sure your passport is intact before arriving in Vietnam. Denied entry can result in huge costs and long layovers at the airport.
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
visa
If you want to stay in Vietnam, you should do so legally and have the correct visa and residence permit. If you wish to stay in Vietnam for more than 15 days as a tourist, there are two visa options:
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Book travel with a travel agency in Vietnam and ask that travel agency to apply for a visa pre-approval letter for your travel to Vietnam. After receiving the pre-approval letter from the Vietnamese embassy, your agent will inform you when to pick up the visa from the embassy;
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Apply for an e-Visa online through the online portal. The e-Visa is valid for a maximum stay of 30 days and is limited to a single entry. The use of e-Visa is limited to certain entry/exit points that you must select when applying. Once the application is complete, you will not be able to make any changes.
Visitors to Vietnam can only apply for a 30-day tourist visa. Tourist visas cannot currently be extended. A tourist visa does not allow paid or voluntary work, missionary work or other activities not related to tourism.
If you are traveling to Vietnam on business, or as an expert and/or a highly skilled worker, you will need to contact your business partner/employer/guarantor in Vietnam to work with the relevant Vietnamese authorities to arrange for a visa to be issued.
Those who need to renew their non-tourist visa can do so by filling out the support request form or by calling the following number: 0283 920 0365 (preferably with the help of a Vietnamese speaking speaker).
From January 15, 2022, those who entered Vietnam with visa-free, e-visa or tourist visa from March 1, 2020 are no longer entitled to automatic visa extension. If you are now planning to leave Vietnam permanently and enter before 1 March 2020 without mandatory quarantine or COVID-19 treatment, you should contact your local immigration office to apply for an exit visa and pay any overstay fees. Going to the airport without an exit visa will result in you being denied boarding.
Vietnam visitor visas are issued to foreigners for a limited period on the basis that the tourist must leave on or before the expiry date of the visa, which is printed on the visa. Those who come to work in Vietnam must apply for a work visa/permit. You should carefully check the validity and conditions of your visa. Overstaying a Vietnam visit visa or working illegally is a serious matter, you may be delayed from traveling until you pay a fine, be deported, and may not be able to visit Vietnam in the future.
If you wish to stay in Vietnam, embassies and consulates general will not be able to assist individuals with visiting visa extensions, nor can they sponsor individual applications or sign NA5 forms (with the same effect) as this involves legal and financial obligations. For those with a valid work visa or resident card, you can extend these periods at the immigration office with the assistance and support of your family or employer.
Yellow Fever Certificate Requirements
Check if you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.
UK emergency travel document
UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Vietnam. Please contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy to obtain the appropriate visa before traveling. If your ETD was issued in Vietnam, in order to replace your lost/stolen passport, you will need to obtain an exit visa from Vietnam Immigration Department before you can leave Vietnam. This process usually takes 5 working days. Contact Immigration directly for more information.
Back to the UK
There is no requirement to be tested on departure. You may also need evidence of a negative test if you are transiting through a third country.
Check what you must do to return to the UK.
