Do I Need a Visa to Transit Through Vietnam?

In most cases, no, you do not need a Vietnam transit visa if you are only passing through Vietnam on the way to a third country and remain in the transit area of the international airport or seaport.

What is transit in Vietnam?

Under Vietnamese law (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), a transit passenger is someone who passes through Vietnam or stays only in the designated transit area at an international border gate before continuing to another country.

To qualify for transit, a foreigner must have:

- A passport or valid international travel document
- A ticket or other transport arrangement suitable for the onward journey to a third country
- A visa for the third country, unless that visa is not required

When do you not need a visa?

Vietnamese law states that foreigners in air transit and sea transit are exempt from visas, provided that they stay in the transit area of the international airport or seaport while waiting for the next flight or vessel.

So, you do not need a visa to transit through Vietnam if:

- You are connecting to a third country
- You stay inside the international transit area
- You do not pass through immigration to enter Vietnam
- You hold the required travel documents for your onward journey

When do you need a visa?

You will need a visa if you want or need to leave the transit area and enter Vietnam.

For example, a visa is required if:

- You want to leave the airport during a long layover
- You need to collect checked baggage and pass immigration
- You have to change airports or re-check in after entering Vietnam
- You want to stay overnight in the city
- Your itinerary requires formal entry into Vietnam rather than remaining airside

References:

Law No. 47/2014/QH13 of the National Assembly: Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam