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🇻🇳VIETNAM
🇨🇳CHINAVN-CN

Do Vietnam passport holders need a visa to visit China?

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 2,200,000VND 3,600,000incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

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?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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