Nobody tells British travellers that Vietnam gives 45 days without a visa

British passport holders can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa for tourism or business, and the passport must be valid for six months beyond the day you arrive. GOV.UK's entry page sets out those rules, and it also lists an e-visa that covers 90 days for a longer trip. The six-month rule is the one that catches people out, so check the expiry date before you book, not after.

Do British citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

No visa is needed for a stay of up to 45 days for tourism or business, according to GOV.UK. For a longer trip you can apply for an e-visa, which GOV.UK gives as 90 days. Plan the route before you book, because the 45 days runs from the day you arrive and the rule does not carry over between trips.

How long does the passport need to be valid?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the day you arrive in Vietnam. Count from your arrival date, not from the day you book, and do not assume a passport with five months left will be accepted. If your passport is close to expiry and you have a trip coming up, renew it first; our guide to the six-month passport rule lists the other destinations that apply the same test.

What arrival paperwork should I expect?

GOV.UK says a digital arrival card is encouraged from 15 April 2026, so complete it before you reach the desk. The card is an online form. File it yourself on the official site, and do not pay anyone who offers to do it for you. Keep a copy on your phone and a printed one, in case the airport connection is slow.

Visa-free or e-visa: which should I choose?

For a trip of 45 days or less, the visa-free route is the simpler choice; for a longer one, the 90-day e-visa is the route GOV.UK gives. You do not need the e-visa for a short holiday. If you think the trip may run past 45 days, decide before you fly, because changing your plan once you are in the country is harder than planning it from the start.

How does Vietnam compare with Nepal's entry rules?

Nepal's visa-on-arrival and Vietnam's visa-free stay sit on different systems, so check each country on its own page before you travel. Our guide to Nepal visa on arrival covers the Nepal side, and visas, passports and entry sets out the three checks to make before any flight.

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Sources: GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice: Vietnam, entry requirements, read 3 October 2026 (45 days visa-free for tourism or business, six months passport validity, e-visa for 90 days, digital arrival card encouraged from 15 April 2026). This is general information, not legal advice.