Vietnam grants 45-day visa waivers to citizens of 12 more countries starting August 15

The resolution specifies visa exemption for citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland, the Vietnam Government Portal reported.

Citizens of these countries entering Vietnam for tourism can stay for up to 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type, provided they meet Vietnam’s entry requirements as stipulated by law.

This visa exemption policy will be in effect until August 14, 2028.

In March, the government extended unilateral visa exemptions for citizens of 12 other countries. 

With this latest policy, Vietnam now unilaterally offers visa-free entry to citizens of 24 countries.

The Vietnamese government on Friday issued a decree on a limited-term visa waiver scheme for foreign nationals in specially designated categories whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.

The move is also expected to boost the tourism sector, particularly the high-end segment.

This policy will also take effect on August 15.

Eligible individuals include guests invited by top national leaders such as the Party General Secretary, the State President, the Chair of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Standing Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, vice-heads of the state, National Assembly and government, the Chair of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the State Auditor General, ministers and equivalent officials, as well as provincial and municipal leaders.

They are also scholars, experts, scientists, university professors, chief engineers, and high-quality human resources in digital technology; investors and executives from the world’s 100 largest corporations; cultural, artistic, sports, and tourism figures with a positive public influence; Vietnam’s honorary consuls abroad; and guests of designated research institutes, universities, and large enterprises, as approved by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and the central government.

Other individuals eligible for special visa-free entry for diplomatic or socio-economic purposes, as decided by the Minister of Public Security, are also in the list.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed 12.2 million international arrivals in January-July, up 22 percent compared to the same period in 2024, according to news site VnExpress.