Quick facts
Visa needed?
No
For stays up to 45 days
Exemption valid until
March 2028
Officially confirmed, not provisional
Cost (exemption)
Free
No application, no fee
Optional e-visa
$25–50
Single/multiple entry, up to 90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Plus 2+ blank pages
Re-entry
Allowed
Multiple visa-free entries permitted
Your pre-departure checklist
Essential — Before booking
✓
British passport valid 6+ months from entry date, with 2+ blank pages
Applies whether you're using the visa exemption or an e-visa — checked consistently at the border regardless of entry type.
✓
Confirm your trip is under 45 days total
If you're even slightly unsure your trip might run longer, apply for the e-visa instead — overstaying the visa-free allowance carries real fines and complications.
✓
Staying longer than 45 days or need multiple entries? Apply for an e-visa
Up to 90 days, single ($25) or multiple entry ($50), via the official Vietnamese immigration portal. Processing typically takes 3 working days.
Before you fly
✓
Proof of onward or return travel recommended
Not always strictly enforced for visa-free entry, but having a return or onward ticket ready avoids any awkward questions at check-in or the border.
✓
If using an e-visa, print a copy before you fly
Immigration officers in Vietnam often ask for a printed copy even when you have it saved digitally — don't rely solely on your phone.
✓
Travel insurance
Not a formal entry requirement, but genuinely worthwhile — private medical care for visitors in Vietnam is billed directly and can add up quickly for anything serious.
✓
Money that works in dong
UK cards typically add ~3% forex fees. A multi-currency card helps, and carrying some cash is still useful outside major tourist areas.
On arrival
✓
Present your passport at immigration — no separate form needed for the exemption
Unlike many Southeast Asian destinations, there's no online arrival card or declaration required purely for the UK visa exemption — just your passport.
✓
Track your 45 days carefully if doing a longer regional trip
Travellers combining Vietnam with Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand sometimes lose track of exactly when their 45-day window started — note your entry date clearly.
If you need the e-visa — step by step
01
Go to the official Vietnamese immigration e-visa portal
Only use evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — third-party sites often charge well above the official $25/$50 fee.
02
Upload your passport photo page and a digital photo
Along with your travel details and the port of entry you'll use. Takes most applicants under 20 minutes.
03
Choose single or multiple entry, and pay the fee
$25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry — both valid up to 90 days. Apply at least a week ahead to leave buffer for processing.
04
Download and print your approved e-visa
Processing typically takes around 3 working days. Print a copy even if you'll also have it on your phone — Vietnamese immigration often expects paper.
Mistakes that catch Brits out
Miscounting the 45 days on a longer Southeast Asia trip. It's easy to lose track of your exact Vietnam entry date when island-hopping across multiple countries — note it down the moment you land.
Not enough blank passport pages. A passport with plenty of remaining validity but only one blank page can still cause problems — Vietnam checks both conditions, not just the expiry date.
Paying for an e-visa you didn't actually need. If your trip is genuinely under 45 days, the visa exemption already covers you for free — third-party "visa assistance" sites sometimes upsell an unnecessary e-visa to UK travellers.
Relying only on a digital e-visa copy. Immigration officers frequently ask for a printed version — arriving with only a phone screenshot can cause delays, even with a valid, approved e-visa.
Assuming re-entry restarts a fresh 45 days immediately. While re-entry is permitted, border officers may scrutinise frequent back-to-back visa-free stays — occasional genuine trips are fine, but a pattern resembling long-term residence can raise questions.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance for Vietnam
Not a visa requirement, but private medical treatment for visitors is billed directly — comprehensive cover is a small cost against real risk.
Compare travel insurance →
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Spend in dong without the mark-up
A multi-currency card converts GBP to VND at the real rate — standard UK cards quietly add ~3% to every transaction.
Get a Wise card →
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Vietnam data from the moment you land
Skip the airport SIM counters — an eSIM installed before you fly activates automatically on arrival in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Browse Vietnam eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → Vietnam Immigration Department — Official e-visa portal
- → GOV.UK — Vietnam travel advice for British citizens
- → Embassy of Vietnam in the United Kingdom
✓ Last verified: 1 October 2026 · The UK visa exemption is confirmed through March 2028 — always confirm current status before travel