As of March 2025, travellers from three new European countries (Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic) will be able to travel to Vietnam without visa. This is already the case for British citizens. However, Irish travellers still need a visa to travel to Vietnam. They can easily apply for an e-visa for Vietnam.
Visa exemptions for Vietnam
Currently, travellers of several nationalities, including some European countries, can stay in Vietnam without a visa. This is the case of travellers with passports from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Travellers from several Asian and South American countries can also benefit from the visa waiver for Vietnam.
As of 1 March 2025, three new European countries will be able to benefit from this program, namely Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic. From March 2025, these travellers will be allowed to stay in Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 consecutive days. Only tourists participating in trips organised by tour operators can benefit from the visa waiver. However, they must also meet all the requirements to travel to Vietnam. The visa waiver is valid at least until 31 December 2025.
Vietnamese prime minister's state visits
The broadening of the visa waiver has taken place after Pham Minh Chinh's (the Vietnamese Prime Minister) state visit to the three European countries concerned. During his visit he met the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, among others. After this, Pham Minh Chinh visited the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland).
Vietnam hopes to strengthen bilateral relations with these three countries and cooperate more extensively with them in terms of security, defence, education, agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare and digital reforms. By offering visa-free stays in Vietnam, the country aims to improve diplomatic ties with these countries.
A stimulus for the tourism sector
The broadeing of visa exemptions for Vietnam is part of the Tourism Development Stimulus Programme. With this plan, Vietnam is aiming to boost its tourism sector. According to the Vietnamese government, it is estimated that some 17 million international travellers visited Vietnam in 2024. Experts argue that the large number of tourists can be partly attributed to the easing of visa requirements for many travellers. Vietnam aims to welcome 25 to 28 million international tourists in 2025.
Apply for the e-visa Vietnam
Although many Europeans can already travel to Vietnam without visa, certain European travellers still need it. This is the case of Irish nationals, who can easily apply for their visa online. They don't need to visit the Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Travellers who can benefit from the visa waiver, but who want to stay in Vietnam for longer than 45 days, can also apply for the e-visa. The reason for this is that the e-visa allows you to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 consecutive days.
The e-visa application form can be completed entirely online. After filling in the application form, you must upload an ID photo and a passport photo or scan for each traveller. Everything is done entirely digitally. Once granted, you will receive the e-visa Vietnam by email. Travellers can then download and print the visa themselves.