🇻🇳Vietnam

🇫🇷FranceVN-FR

Vietnam to France visa requirements

Q: Do Vietnamese travelers need ETIAS for France?

No. ETIAS is only for visa-free nationalities. Vietnamese nationals still require a full Schengen visa, not an ETIAS authorisation.

Q: How long can I stay in France on a Schengen tourist visa?

Up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, subject to the visa's validity.

Q: Where do Vietnamese citizens apply for a France visa?

Through the official TLScontact visa application centres in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, after completing the France-Visas online form.

Q: How much does the visa cost?

EUR 90 for adults (EUR 45 for children 6-12, free under 6), plus a EUR 25 TLScontact service fee collected in Vietnamese Dong.

Q: What is EES and does it affect me?

The EU Entry/Exit System, fully live since 10 April 2026, records entries and exits electronically instead of stamping passports, and may collect or check biometric data at the border. It applies to short-stay travelers including visa holders.

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Category C short-stay visa to visit France for tourism. There is no visa-free, eVisa or visa-on-arrival option. France is part of the Schengen Area, and Vietnam remains in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, the list of nationalities that require a visa to cross Schengen external borders. Therefore an ordinary Vietnamese passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to France for tourism. The visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications for France are started on France-Visas and submitted through the official TLScontact visa application centres in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; France-Visas Vietnam says short-stay applications take an average of three weeks, with applications submitted less than 15 days before departure potentially inadmissible. The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90, plus a TLScontact service fee of EUR 25 collected in VND. Because Vietnam is not visa-exempt, ETIAS does NOT apply to Vietnamese nationals; ETIAS is only for visa-free travelers. Since 10 April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records short-stay entries and exits at the border and may collect or check biometric data, replacing manual passport stamping.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-07-01

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-07-01

Visa type

Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Single, double or multiple (as granted)

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 90 (adult); EUR 45 (children 6-12); free under 6; plus EUR 25 TLScontact service fee in VND

consular fee only

Processing time

Average three weeks for short-stay applications in Vietnam; general Schengen decisions may extend to 45 days in special cases

standard track

Validity

As issued; tied to 90/180 Schengen rule

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm purpose and determine main destination

Apply at the French mission only if France is your sole or main Schengen destination (longest stay), or your first point of entry if stays are equal. Choose the short-stay tourism (Type C) category.

· Tourism· Type C

/02

Complete the France-Visas online application

Fill in the application form on the official France-Visas portal, create your file, and obtain the checklist of required documents for Vietnam.

· France-Visas portal· Online form

/03

Gather supporting documents

Assemble passport, photos, travel medical insurance (min. EUR 30,000), accommodation and flight bookings, proof of funds, employment/ties evidence and a cover letter.

· Documents· Insurance

/04

Book an appointment at TLScontact

Schedule an appointment at the TLScontact visa application centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to submit your file and give biometrics. France-Visas Vietnam recommends applying 3 weeks to 6 months before travel.

· TLScontact· Biometrics

/05

Attend the appointment and pay fees

Submit documents in person, provide fingerprints if required, and pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus the EUR 25 TLScontact service fee in VND.

· In person· Pay fee

/06

Track and collect your passport

Short-stay applications in Vietnam average about three weeks; there is no expedited procedure. Collect your passport or receive it by courier, then check the visa sticker dates before traveling.

· Tracking· Collection

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Vietnam -> France · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredVietnamese ordinary passport, valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within last 10 years, 2 blank pages

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

required

RequiredCompleted and signed France-Visas application form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredTwo recent ICAO-standard passport photos (white background)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredTravel medical insurance covering all Schengen, min. EUR 30,000

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

required

RequiredRound-trip flight reservation / itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel bookings or host invitation)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statements, last 3-6 months)

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

required

RecommendedProof of ties to Vietnam (employment letter, property, family)

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

recommended

RecommendedCover letter stating purpose, dates and itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RequiredBiometrics at TLScontact unless already retained from a recent Schengen visa application

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

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 sourcesFrance-Visas — Vietnam application page, TLScontact locations, fees and timing (accessed 2026-06-29)France-Visas — Short-stay visa and 90/180-day Schengen rule France-Visas — Visa application process, biometrics and decision windows

Application link included: France-Visas — Vietnam application page, TLScontact locations, fees and timing (accessed 2026-06-29)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen short-stay visa fee (adult)EUR 90Paid in VND at chancery exchange rate

Visa fee (children 6-12)EUR 45Free for children under 6

TLScontact service feeEUR 25 equivalent in VNDMandatory centre service charge listed by France-Visas Vietnam; TLScontact Hanoi lists VND 740,000

Travel medical insuranceVariesMin. EUR 30,000 Schengen coverage

Total estimateEUR 90 + EUR 25 equivalent in VND — EUR 90 + EUR 25 equivalent in VND + insurance & optional TLS servicesincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Vietnam short-stay average

About 3 weeks

France-Visas Vietnam says short-stay applications take an average of three weeks and that no expedited procedure exists.

Late or special-case review

Less than 15 days may be inadmissible; up to 45 days in special cases

France-Visas warns that files submitted under 15 days before departure may be inadmissible; the general Schengen process may extend decisions to 45 days in special cases.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Vietnam is not on the EU visa-exemption list

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt for the Schengen Area, so a visa is mandatory for France.

High

/02

France is a Schengen member state

Entry is governed by Schengen short-stay rules, requiring a Type C visa for non-exempt nationals.

High

/03

ETIAS does not apply to Vietnamese nationals

ETIAS is only for visa-free travelers; Vietnamese nationals still need a full Schengen visa, not ETIAS.

Medium

/04

EES now records short-stay entries and exits

Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System records entries/exits at the border and may collect or check biometric data, replacing passport stamps.

Medium

/05

90/180 day limit strictly enforced

Short-stay visas cap total presence at 90 days in any 180-day window across all Schengen states.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-07-01

Reviewed by Claude Code

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

2026-06-29 · major

Codex rechecked Vietnam to France Schengen facts

Reverified official France-Visas, EUR-Lex, TLScontact, and France Diplomatie sources; kept the visa-required verdict, added checked-date, corrected Vietnam processing from generic 15 days to France-Visas Vietnam's average three weeks, tightened TLScontact service-fee wording, and refreshed EES/ETIAS wording.

2026-05-30

Vietnam to France route verified

Confirmed via France-Visas that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders require a Schengen Type C short-stay visa; verified EUR 90 fee, TLScontact processing, EES live since 10 April 2026, and that ETIAS does not apply to Vietnamese (non visa-exempt) nationals.

/09 — The questions