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🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🇻🇳VIETNAMGB-VN

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Visa-free 45 days for British tourists since 15 Aug 2023 (extended through 2028). British passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per stay for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. Vietnam introduced unilateral 45-day visa-free entry for 13 countries including the UK on 15 August 2023, expanded to 25+ countries through 2024-2025. The policy has been extended through 14 March 2028. Multiple entries are allowed, with a minimum 30-day gap between visa-free visits. Vietnam Airlines and British Airways operate direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN); Bamboo Airways and Vietjet also offer connections. Vietnam is a popular destination for UK backpackers and retirees with growing British expat communities in Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. British travellers wanting longer stays should apply for the Vietnam eVisa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — USD 25 single-entry or USD 50 multi-entry for 90 days. Work, study, journalism, and stays over 45 days still require a regular Vietnamese visa.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Unilateral visa-free entry (no application)
Maximum stay
Up to 45 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple visits, 30-day gap between
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
None - entry on arrival
standard track
Validity
Extended through 14 March 2028
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
British passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with at least 2 blank pages.
· 6 months validity
/02
Book travel & accommodation
Confirmed flights and hotel/host details. Vietnam Immigration may ask at the border.
· flight + hotel proof
/03
Prepare return/onward ticket
Confirmed return or onward ticket within 45 days is required.
· return ticket
/04
Arrive in Vietnam
Present passport at immigration at HAN Hanoi, SGN Ho Chi Minh City, or DAD Da Nang. Free entry stamp issued.
· no application needed
/05
Complete arrival declaration
Health declaration form on arrival if required by current rules.
· arrival declaration
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
British passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight within 45 days
Hotel booking or host contact
Accommodation for first night minimum
Sufficient funds
Approximately USD 50/day or equivalent
Travel insurance
Highly recommended (Vietnamese medical costs)
30-day gap from last VN visit
If using visa-free repeatedly
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUnilateral Vietnamese visa-free; no application, no fee
Vietnam eVisa (90-day single entry)USD 25Only needed for stays over 45 days
Vietnam eVisa (90-day multi-entry)USD 50For frequent travellers needing each stay over 45 days
Embassy visa (3 months multi-entry)GBP 95For longer stays or work/study
Overstay penaltyVND 500,000+/dayPlus possible detention and re-entry ban
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
None
Enter directly; immigration check on arrival.
Vietnam eVisa
3 business days
Via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn if needing >45 days.
Embassy visa
5-7 business days
Via Vietnamese embassy London if needing >45 days.
Visa on arrival
Pre-approval required
Less common; requires Vietnamese sponsor letter.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Stay exceeded 45 days
Visa-free is strict 45 days per entry. Exceed and you face penalties.
Low
/02
Missing 30-day gap
Visa-free re-entry requires a 30-day gap from previous visa-free visit.
Medium
/03
Wrong purpose declared
Working or journalism on visa-free is not allowed - declare correctly.
Low
/04
Insufficient onward proof
No return ticket can lead to denied entry.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Print or save your eVisa approval and make sure you enter through a port listed on your eVisa.
/02
Customs
Declare restricted goods and large cash amounts when required. Keep your passport and eVisa together during the trip.
/03
Connectivity
Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are easy to find at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and major tourist areas.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
UK to Vietnam route verified
Confirmed visa-free 45 days remains in force through March 2028.
2025-03-15 · major
Vietnam visa-free extended 3 more years
Extended through 14 March 2028 covering all 25+ eligible countries.
2023-08-15 · major
UK added to Vietnam visa-free list
13 countries including the UK granted unilateral 45-day visa-free entry.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Britons need a visa for Vietnam?—
No — visa-free 45 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit since 15 August 2023, extended through 14 March 2028.
Can I stay over 45 days?+
Can I re-enter Vietnam visa-free?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Do I need a return ticket?+
Are direct flights from the UK available?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

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Compare the United Kingdom passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇬🇧◐
United Kingdom visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇬🇧▤
United Kingdom passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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