Tiếng Việt
“In the Q3 ranking of the Henley Passport Index, the Vietnamese passport ranked 84th, an increase of 7 places compared to the beginning of the year.” The latest information from July 2025 shows that the Vietnamese passport’s ranking has significantly increased, allowing holders to enter 51 countries and territories without needing to apply for a visa.
List of 51 Visa-Free Destinations for Vietnamese Citizens
How many countries can a Vietnamese passport enter in 2025 without a visa? Vietnamese citizens can currently enter 51 destinations without a visa or by only needing an e-visa, visa on arrival, or ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) out of a total of 227 countries and territories. This access is comparable to the 91st position (at the beginning of 2025).
The following is the list of 51 visa-free destinations for Vietnamese citizens (latest information as of July 2025):
| Destinations Not Requiring a Visa (24 destinations) | Barbados, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cook Island, Dominica, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Micronesia, Mongolia, Niue, Panama, Philippines, Rwanda, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, ThaiLand, Singapore. |
| Destinations Requiring an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – (4 destinations) | Kenya, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Formosa. |
| Destinations Requiring Visa on Arrival (VOA) – (23 destinations) | Bolivia, Burundi, Cape Verde island, Comoro Island, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Marshall Island, Namibia, Nepal, Palau Island, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, St Lucia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu. |
Important Notes When Entering Visa-Free Countries
When traveling to visa-free countries, many people assume the procedures will be simpler. However, in reality, there are still entry requirements and regulations that you must adhere to in order to avoid any unnecessary complications. Here are some important tips to know before entry to ensure a smooth trip:
- Prepare all required documents: Although you don’t need a visa to travel to these countries, there are still several important documents you must prepare and bring with you:
- Valid Passport: Most visa-free countries require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity from your trip’s end date. Be sure to double-check your passport’s expiration date before your trip.
- Return Flight Ticket: Many countries require you to have a return flight ticket or an onward ticket to another country to prove that you will leave their country within the specified period.
- Proof of Financial Means: Some countries require you to prove your financial capability to ensure you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. This can include bank statements or cash.
- Accommodation Address: You need to declare your accommodation address for the duration of your stay. For example, information about your booked hotel or the address of a relative.
- Purpose of the Trip: You may be asked to provide information about the reason for your trip, such as tourism, visiting relatives, or a short-term business trip. Although not every country will ask, preparing this information in advance will help you answer quickly if required.
- Duration of Stay: Each country has its own regulations regarding the permitted duration of stay for visa-exempt visitors, usually ranging from 15 to 90 days depending on the country. Some countries do not allow you to re-enter for a certain period after your permitted stay has ended. For those planning multiple entries, it is crucial to understand this regulation to avoid violations.
- Compliance with Regulations: When visiting another country, you must comply with local laws and regulations. Violations can lead to fines, deportation, or a permanent entry ban.
A Note for Travelers Regarding Expiring Vietnamese Passports
According to the Law on Entry and Exit, a passport with less than 6 months of validity is considered expired and is no longer valid.
Currently, Vietnamese passports can be classified as follows:
- Popular Passport: The Vietnamese popular passport is issued to individuals aged 14 and over, has a validity of 10 years, and cannot be extended.
- Popular Passport for children under 14: This passport has a validity of 5 years, with a minimum of 2 years, or is valid until the child turns 14, and cannot be extended.
- Diplomatic Passport: Valid for 1 to 5 years and can be extended once for a period not exceeding 3 years.
- Official Passport: Valid for 1 to 5 years and can be extended once for a period not exceeding 3 years.
Because the Vietnamese popular passport cannot be extended, when your passport expires or has less than 6 months of validity (is no longer valid), you must apply for a new passport (with a new passport number) to proceed with entry and exit procedures.
Is the procedure for getting a passport difficult?
The answer is NO, IT IS NOT DIFFICULT. You can now easily apply for a passport either directly at the immigration management office or online through the Public Service Portal.
If you are applying for a popular passport (for the first time or for re-issuance) at an Immigration Management Agency:
- First-time application: You only need to bring your Citizen Identity Card (CCCD). For children under 14, a copy of their birth certificate is also required.
- Passport re-issuance: Bring the original copy of your old passport for verification.
When you arrive at the immigration office, you will be guided to take a passport photo and fill out the necessary information on the application form. The procedure is very quick and only takes about 15-30 minutes.
If you don’t have time to apply in person, you can also submit your application online via the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security’s Public Service Portal (by filling out the online form, uploading a photo that meets the requirements, and paying the fee as instructed).
- Passport application fee: 200,000 VND.
If you apply in person at the immigration office, there may be an additional fee of 30,000-45,000 VND for the photo service. However, this is fast and ensures your photo is valid and more likely to be accepted than a photo taken at home.
- The processing time for applications is between 5-8 business days. After applying, you will receive an appointment slip to collect your passport, or you can register for home delivery (which will incur an additional shipping fee).
The information in this article has been compiled from many official news sources and legal websites. If there are any errors, please contact us, and we will make the appropriate corrections to avoid misunderstanding and misinformation.
I’m Phuc Nguyen (Tieu Dao Tu), a travel enthusiast who loves new experiences. Therefore, besides sharing about fascinating destinations that I know or have visited and my real-life experiences, I also want to share the latest and most essential travel-related information, hoping to provide some useful knowledge for you before you pack your bags and go.
You can see more of Tieu Dao Tu’s domestic and international journeys on his YouTube or TikTok channel!
