🇻🇳VIETNAM

🇨🇳CHINAVN-CN

Do Vietnam passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Q: How much does the China visa cost for Vietnamese?

Approximately VND 1,400,000 for a single-entry L Visa, VND 2,100,000 for double-entry, or VND 2,800,000 for a 5-year multi-entry visa. Add a CVASC service fee of VND 800,000+.

Q: How long does the China visa take?

4-7 working days for standard processing at CVASC Hanoi or HCMC. Express (3 days) options available with extra fees.

Q: Can I visit Hainan Island visa-free?

Yes — Vietnamese can visit Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but only through approved group tours organised by Chinese travel agencies. Independent travel still requires a visa.

Q: What is the 240-hour transit visa-free?

Travellers in transit to a third country can stay up to 10 days at 60+ ports of entry (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.) without a visa. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a different country than where you entered from.

Q: Will Vietnam be added to China's visa-free list?

Not as of 2026. China's unilateral expansion has focused on ASEAN partners like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei — but Vietnam has not been added. Bilateral negotiations are ongoing.

Visa required. L Visa for tourism, VND 1,400,000 single-entry. Vietnam is not on China's unilateral visa-free list. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter mainland China — Vietnam is not on China's unilateral visa exemption list. The standard tourist visa is the L Visa (single, double, or multi-entry), costing approximately VND 1,400,000 (single-entry) through Chinese visa centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Border-area arrangements between China and Vietnam allow simplified entry for residents of border provinces, but ordinary travellers nationwide need a full Chinese visa. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy (10 days) applies to Vietnamese travellers connecting through 60+ Chinese ports to a third country. Hainan Island offers 30-day visa-free entry for approved group tours.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

L Visa (tourist; single, double, or multi-entry)

Maximum stay

30-60 days per entry typical

per entry

Entries

Single, double, or 5-year multi

from issue date

Visa fee

VND 1,400,000 (single); VND 2,100,000 (double); VND 2,800,000 (multi)

consular fee only

Processing time

4-7 working days

standard track

Validity

3-6 months (single) or 5 years (multi)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival with at least 1 blank page.

· 6-month rule

/02

Prepare documents

Application form (COVA online + printed), passport, photo (33×48mm), invitation letter or flight + hotel bookings, bank statements, employment certificate.

· full document set

/03

Submit at Chinese Visa Center

Submit at China Visa Application Service Center in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Pay visa fee + service fee.

· CVASC Vietnam

/04

Wait for decision

4-7 working days standard. Express (3 days) and rush (next-day) options available with extra fees.

· 4-7 working days

/05

Travel to China

Collect passport with visa sticker. Register with local police within 24 hours of arrival if not staying at a hotel.

· police registration

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 12 complete

Vietnamese passport

Valid 6 months on arrival, 1 blank page

Visa application form

COVA online + printed

Passport photo

33×48mm, white background, recent

Flight booking

Round-trip itinerary

Hotel bookings

Confirmed for entire stay

Invitation letter (if business/family visit)

From Chinese host or organisation

Bank statements

Last 3-6 months

Employment certificate

With salary and leave approval

Mobile payment app

Alipay TourCard / WeChat Pay for foreign visitors recommended

VPN awareness

Many global apps including Zalo, Facebook, Google blocked in China

Police registration (in China)

Within 24 hours if not at hotel

Tibet/Xinjiang permits

Separate permits required for restricted regions

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry L VisaVND 1,400,000Tourist; 30-60 days stay

Double-entry L VisaVND 2,100,000Two entries within 3-6 months

Multi-entry L Visa (5 years)VND 2,800,000Requires prior travel history; 30-60 days per entry

Service feeVND 800,000+China Visa Application Service Center

Express serviceVND 800,000 extra3 working days

Hainan visa-free (group)Free30 days tourism on Hainan Island via approved tour

240-hour transit visa-freeFree10 days at major ports en route to third country

Overstay penaltiesCNY 500/dayUp to CNY 10,000 and detention

Total estimateVND 2,200,000 — VND 3,600,000incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Single-entry L Visa

4-7 working days

Standard processing at CVASC Hanoi or HCMC.

Multi-entry L Visa

4-7 working days

Requires evidence of prior China visits; 5-year validity.

Express

3 working days

Additional service fee.

Hainan visa-free (group)

On arrival

Up to 30 days tourism on Hainan via Chinese-approved travel agency.

240-hour transit

On arrival

Up to 10 days at major ports en route to a third country.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient funds shown

Bank statements should show stable income and reserves; sudden lump-sum deposits raise concerns.

Medium

/02

Weak travel history

First-time international travellers may need stronger supporting evidence.

Medium

/03

Inconsistent itinerary

Mismatched dates, vague plans, or contradictions between forms and bookings can lead to refusal.

Medium

/04

Previous overstays

Any prior China overstay heavily affects future approvals.

Medium

/05

Restricted regions

Tibet, parts of Xinjiang, and some border areas require separate permits.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.

/02

Registration

Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.

/03

Connectivity

Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-27

Vietnam to China route verified

Confirmed L Visa required, Vietnam not on unilateral visa-free list, Hainan + transit options available.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for China?—

Yes — Vietnam is not on China's unilateral visa-free list (unlike Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia). Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Chinese visa for entry.

How much does the China visa cost for Vietnamese?+

How long does the China visa take?+

Can I visit Hainan Island visa-free?+

What is the 240-hour transit visa-free?+

Will Vietnam be added to China's visa-free list?+