Viet Nam to offer 45-day visa-free entry for citizens from 12 countries to promote inbound tourism and expands visa-free entry policy.

The Government has announced that it will offer 45-day visa-free entry for citizens from 12 countries, applicable from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028, Also, has decided to expand visa-exemption policy for foreigners to boost socio-economic development, according to Decree No. 221/ND-CP issued on August 15, 2025.

1. 45-day visa-free entry for citizens from 12 countries

Under the resolution, citizens of the following countries will be eligible for visa-free entry: the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Swiss Confederation.

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Visitors from these countries may stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purpose, regardless of passport type, provided they meet all entry conditions stipulated by Vietnamese law.

This visa-free policy will be in effect from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028, as part of Vietnam’s initiative to stimulate tourism growth.

As a result, Government Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated 15 January 2025, which granted visa exemptions in 2025 to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland will cease to be effective from 15 August 2025.

In January this year, the Government had decided to waive visas for tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland until December 31, 2025. 

Two months later, the Government waived visas for tourists from 12 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. 

All the above moves aim to boost inbound tourism, thus helping the Southeast Asian nation to achieve the GDP growth goal of at least 8 percent in 2025.

From January to July, the country welcomed 12.2 million foreign visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of 22.5 percent. With this pace, Viet Nam is set to hit its ambitious goal of handling 25 million international arrivals this year.

• Special Visa Waiver for Priority Foreign Visitors

The Government has also promulgated Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP dated 8 August 2025, providing visa exemption for foreign nationals in special categories that are prioritized for Vietnam’s socio-economic development, effective from 15 August 2025.

Under the Decree, this policy shall be applicable to the following cases from August 15, 2025:

– Guests of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, the State President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Standing member of the Secretariat, the Vice State President, the Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Ministers, the President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Cabinet Ministers, the Secretaries of the Provincial/Municipal Party Committees, the Chairpersons of the Provincial/Municipal People’s Councils and People’s Committees;

– Scholars, experts, scientists, professors from foreign universities and academies, and high-quality workforce for digital technology industry.

– Leaders of business giants in the world.

– Celebrities, renowned artists and athletes.

– Honorary consuls.

– Guests of research institutes, universities and business giants decided by the Government.

– Other cases specified by the Minister of Public Security.

Sources: Government Portal News

Photo: Collected