Short answer
Everyone can apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days. Citizens of many European and Asian countries can also enter visa-free for up to 45 days. Check the official Vietnamese sources before you travel, because the lists change.
01Option 1: the e-visa
Since August 2023 Vietnam issues electronic visas to citizens of every country, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. You apply online with a passport scan and a photo, pay the fee and receive a document to print or show on your phone. It is accepted at the international airports, including Noi Bai in Hanoi, and at major land and sea border crossings.
02Option 2: visa-free entry
Many nationalities can enter without any visa for a limited stay. As of 2026 the main groups are:
- Up to 45 days: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Belarus.
- Up to 45 days since 2025: Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia, under a resolution reported to run until August 2028.
- 14 to 30 days: ASEAN neighbours under bilateral agreements, for example 30 days for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
- Visa needed: Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many other countries use the e-visa.
Visa-free entry usually requires a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket and, for repeat visits under the unilateral scheme, a gap since your last exit. If you want to stay longer than your visa-free period, apply for an e-visa instead.
03On arrival
Have a printed or digital copy of your e-visa, your accommodation address in Vietnam and proof of onward travel ready. Hotels on Cat Ba register foreign guests with the police using your passport, which is normal and usually done at check-in, so keep the passport with you rather than leaving it in Hanoi.
?Questions people ask
Do I need a separate permit for Cat Ba?
No. Cat Ba is a normal part of Vietnam and open to all visitors. You only need valid entry to the country.
Can I extend a visa-free stay?
Usually not easily. If you know you will stay longer, apply for a 90-day e-visa before you travel.
Is the visa information here official?
No. We summarise the rules as reported in 2026. Always confirm on the Vietnamese immigration website or with your nearest Vietnamese embassy before booking.