🇰🇷South Korea

🇻🇳VietnamKR-VN

South Korea to Vietnam visa requirements

Q: Can I stay longer than 45 days?

Yes — apply for Vietnam's official e-visa before travel. E-visas can be issued for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry; current visa fees are USD 25 single-entry and USD 50 multiple-entry up to 90 days.

Q: Do I need 6 months on my passport?

Yes — Vietnamese law requires passports used for unilateral visa-free entry to be valid for at least 6 months. Keep blank stamp space for entry and exit.

Q: Can I drive in Vietnam with my Korean licence?

Vietnam does not officially recognise foreign licences for short-term tourists. Many travellers rent motorbikes informally, but this carries insurance and legal risks in case of accident.

Q: Is the visa-free policy permanent?

No. Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP keeps it valid from 15 March 2025 through 14 March 2028, with any extension to be considered under Vietnamese law.

Q: What if I exit and re-enter?

Korean ordinary passport holders can use multiple 45-day visa-free visits, but frequent back-to-back stays can still draw scrutiny if officers suspect residence or work without the right visa.

Visa-free up to 45 days under Vietnam's unilateral policy, valid through 14 March 2028. South Korean ordinary passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per entry under Vietnam's unilateral visa exemption policy. Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP keeps this waiver in force from 15 March 2025 through 14 March 2028, and Korea MOFA lists ordinary Korean passports as visa-free for 45 days on a unilateral basis. Travellers wanting more than 45 days can apply through Vietnam's official e-visa system; Vietnam grants e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. The current visa fee schedule is USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid up to 90 days. For visa-free entry, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months; keep at least one blank stamp page and be ready to show onward travel, accommodation and trip funds if asked.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21

Visa type

Visa-free entry (unilateral)

Maximum stay

Up to 45 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple visits; no advance visa application for each 45-day entry

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

On arrival

standard track

Validity

Policy valid through 14 March 2028; passport must be valid at least 6 months

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Your Korean passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the date of entry. Keep enough blank space for entry and exit stamps.

· 6-month rule· blank stamp page

/02

Book return travel and accommodation

Carry return/onward travel proof and accommodation details; airlines and immigration officers may ask for them.

· return ticket

/03

Arrive in Vietnam

Show passport at immigration; receive a 45-day visa-free stamp. No advance form required.

· 45-day stamp

/04

Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If staying in private accommodation, the host must register your stay.

· host registration

/05

Plan for the 45-day cap

For longer stays apply for an e-visa before travel via the official Vietnam National Electronic Visa system.

· 90-day e-visa option

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

South Korea -> Vietnam · Visa-free entry (unilateral)

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredKorean passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid 6+ months on entry; blank stamp space

RequiredReturn or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Within 45 days; may be requested

RequiredAccommodation address

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking or host's address

ConditionalFunds evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Enough for the trip, if asked

RecommendedTravel insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended; Vietnamese healthcare access varies

RequiredInternational Driving Permit

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Vietnam does not recognise IDPs from non-1968-Convention countries; motorbike licence locally is risky

RequiredCash (VND)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Useful at markets, taxis, and small shops

RequiredVaccination certificate

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Only required from yellow fever risk countries

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesVietnam Tourism — Resolution No.44/NQ-CP visa waiver, issued 2025-03-07 Vietnam Tourism — Visa Requirements page, e-visa and visa exemption policy, web-checked 2026-06-21 Vietnam National Electronic Visa system — official e-visa portal, last modified 2025-06-25

Application link included: Vietnam Tourism — Resolution No.44/NQ-CP visa waiver, issued 2025-03-07

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeUp to 45 days per entry through 14 March 2028

e-Visa / single-entry visaUSD 25Up to 90 days; apply at the official Vietnam National Electronic Visa system

e-Visa / multiple-entry visaUSD 50Valid up to 90 days; multiple entries allowed

Sponsored visa / approval routeVariesFor work, study, family or other non-tourist long-stay purposes; not the normal tourist route

Overstay penaltiesVariesFine, exit complications, and possible re-entry issues

Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival

Minutes

Standard airport entry; no advance form required.

e-Visa

Usually 3 working days

For stays beyond 45 days; apply at the official Vietnam National Electronic Visa system and allow extra time for corrections or peak periods.

Long-stay visa

Weeks

Through Vietnam Embassy in Seoul for work, study, or family reunification.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Past Vietnamese overstays

Prior overstays heavily affect future visa-free entries; fines or re-entry bans are common.

Medium

/02

Suspected work intent

Pre-arranged paid engagements require a work permit and the appropriate visa.

Low

/03

Insufficient passport validity

Unilateral visa-free entry requires at least 6 months of passport validity at entry.

Low

/04

Insufficient travel evidence

No return ticket or vague itinerary can prompt questioning at immigration.

Low

/05

Prohibited items

Strict controls on drugs (capital punishment), political materials, and certain medications.

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

2026-06-21

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-21

Codex checked

Re-verified Korean ordinary passport travel to Vietnam against Vietnam Tourism, the official e-visa system, Korea MOFA, Vietnam Government Portal law/fee records, and the 2026 visa-fee circular; added checked-date, exact 14 March 2028 waiver expiry, current e-visa fee/validity wording, and corrected passport-page wording.

2026-05-27

Korea to Vietnam route verified

Confirmed visa-free 45 days under Vietnam's unilateral policy, then recorded as extended through 2028.

2023-08-15 · major

Visa-free extended from 15 to 45 days

Vietnam extended Korea's unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days to boost tourism recovery.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Korean citizens need a visa for Vietnam?—

No — Korean ordinary passport holders enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per entry under Vietnam's unilateral exemption, valid through 14 March 2028.

Can I stay longer than 45 days?+

Do I need 6 months on my passport?+

Can I drive in Vietnam with my Korean licence?+

Is the visa-free policy permanent?+

What if I exit and re-enter?+