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Do I Need a Visa to Transit Through Vietnam

Usually, you do not need a visa if you remain in the international transit area and do not enter Vietnam. A visa is generally required if you must clear immigration during your layover. In many cases, passengers can transit through Vietnam without a visa, but if you need to pass through immigration or leave the international transit area, you must obtain a valid Vietnam visa before traveling.

Understanding Vietnam's transit rules can help you avoid unexpected delays or denied boarding.

Do I Need a Vietnam Visa to Transit?

The answer depends on how you are connecting your flights and whether you enter Vietnam during your layover.

You Need a Vietnam Visa to Transit If:

You must obtain a Vietnam visa if any of the following apply:

  • Long layovers may require additional procedures depending on the airport, airline, and whether you must enter Vietnam.
  • You need to leave the international transit area.
  • You must collect and re-check your baggage.
  • You are flying on separate tickets (self-transfer).
  • You are changing airlines and must clear immigration.
  • Your connecting flight is a domestic flight within Vietnam.
  • You plan to leave the airport during your layover.

Since Vietnam does not issue a dedicated transit visa, travelers should apply for a Vietnam e-Visa or another appropriate visa before departure.

You DO NOT Need a Vietnam Visa If:

You can transit visa-free when all of the following conditions are met:

  • Your layover is less than 24 hours.
  • You remain inside the international transit area (airside).
  • Your luggage is checked through to your final destination.
  • Your connecting flight is on the same itinerary, or your airline transfers your baggage automatically.
  • You hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
  • Ensure your passport meets the validity requirements for your destination and airline.

Passengers meeting these conditions normally do not pass through Vietnamese immigration and therefore do not require a visa.

Vietnam Transit Rules Explained

Vietnam allows international passengers to transit without a visa only when they remain in the airport's secure international transit zone.

Many international airports in Vietnam support airside transit, subject to airport facilities and airline arrangements, including:

  • Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)
  • Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Da Nang International Airport

If you need to pass through immigration for any reason, you will be considered as entering Vietnam and must have a valid visa unless you qualify for a visa exemption.

Documents Required for Transit Through Vietnam

Depending on your itinerary, you may need the following documents:

  • A passport valid for at least six months from your planned entry date.
  • A confirmed onward ticket.
  • A boarding pass for your next flight (if available).
  • A valid Vietnam visa or e-Visa if you need to enter the country.
  • Any required visa for your final destination.

Airlines may also ask you to demonstrate that you meet the entry requirements for your destination country.

Can I Leave the Airport During Transit?

Only if you have permission to enter Vietnam. You may leave the airport during a layover if you:

  • Hold a valid Vietnam e-Visa or regular visa; or
  • Are eligible for Vietnam's visa exemption program.

Without a valid visa or visa exemption, you must remain inside the international transit area until your connecting flight departs.

Can I Exit the Airport During a Long Layover Without a Visa?

Only travelers who are eligible for Vietnam's visa exemption policy can enter Vietnam without obtaining an e-Visa.

Vietnam grants visa exemptions to its own nationals and citizens of countries included in Vietnam's unilateral visa exemption policy for stays of up to 45 days, in accordance with government regulations.

Citizens of many ASEAN countries may also enter Vietnam visa-free for periods ranging from 14 to 30 days, depending on their nationality.

If you are not eligible for visa-free entry, you will need to obtain a visa before entering Vietnam.

Do I need a visa for transit to Phu Quoc Island?

Whether you need a visa depends on your travel route.

Travel Route

Vietnam Visa Required?

Overseas → International flight directly to Phu Quoc

No. Eligible foreign travelers may stay in Phu Quoc visa-free for up to 30 days.
Overseas → Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City/Da Nang → Domestic flight to Phu Quoc

Yes. You must clear immigration at your first airport in Vietnam, so a visa is required unless you qualify for a visa exemption.

The Phu Quoc visa exemption only applies when arriving directly from an international destination under the applicable conditions.

Is There a Vietnam Transit Visa?

No. Vietnam does not issue a separate transit visa.

Instead, travelers who need to enter Vietnam during transit should apply for one of the following:

  • Vietnam e-Visa (available for eligible nationalities)
  • Visa issued by a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if required)

The Vietnam e-Visa currently allows stays of up to 90 days and is available as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

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