Vietnam Entry Requirements 2026: E-Visa & Onward Ticket Guide

Introduction

Vietnam captivates travelers with its stunning landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible food. From the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay, Hoi An's ancient town, and the rice terraces of Sapa, Vietnam offers unforgettable experiences.

In 2023, Vietnam made significant improvements to its visa system, expanding visa-free entry for many nationalities (up to 45 days for some) and introducing a streamlined e-visa system open to all countries. These changes make Vietnam more accessible than ever for tourists, digital nomads, and backpackers.

However, one requirement continues to catch travelers off guard: proof of onward travel. While Vietnam's immigration enforcement is inconsistent, airlines serving Vietnam frequently check for onward tickets before boarding. Without proper documentation, travelers face boarding denial, expensive forced purchases, or potential immigration issues.

This guide explains Vietnam's 2026 entry requirements, when and where onward tickets are checked, and how to prepare documentation for both airline verification and Vietnamese immigration.

What Is an Onward Ticket?

An onward ticket is documentation showing your plan to leave Vietnam within your permitted stay period. It demonstrates exit intent to airlines before boarding and to Vietnamese immigration at entry.

A valid onward ticket for Vietnam should show:

• A departure date within your visa-free period (15-45 days) or visa duration (30-90 days)
• A destination outside Vietnam (any country, including return home)
• Passenger name matching your passport exactly

Vietnam's enforcement is less aggressive than Philippines or Japan, but more consistent than Thailand, placing it in the middle tier of Southeast Asian onward ticket enforcement.

Does Vietnam Require an Onward Ticket in 2026?

The Legal Reality

Vietnam's official policy is unclear. Immigration regulations don't explicitly mandate onward tickets for all tourists, but the practical reality is that airlines enforce this requirement frequently.

Vietnamese immigration guidelines suggest travelers should demonstrate:

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Appropriate visa or visa-exemption eligibility
• Sufficient funds for stay
• Intent to depart within permitted stay

While immigration doesn't always verify onward travel, airlines do—and they're your first checkpoint.

Airline Checks (Primary Enforcement)

Airlines are the main enforcers of Vietnam's onward travel requirements. They check at departure to avoid penalties if passengers are refused entry.

When airlines most often request proof:

• One-way tickets (highest risk category)
• E-visa holders (consistently checked)
• Visa-on-arrival passengers (always verified)
• Budget carrier flights (VietJet Air especially)
• Departures from US, Europe, Australia

Major carriers with frequent enforcement:

• Vietnam Airlines — National carrier, moderate to high enforcement
• VietJet Air — Budget carrier, strict policies
• Bamboo Airways — Moderate enforcement
• Singapore Airlines — Checks regional flights
• Qatar Airways, Emirates — Verify for Middle East-Vietnam routes
• Korean Air, Asiana — Check Korea-Vietnam passengers

What happens without proof:

1. Boarding denial — Refused boarding at departure airport (common)
2. On-the-spot ticket purchase — Forced to buy expensive ticket ($200-500 USD)
3. Missed flight — Original booking may be forfeited
4. Rebooking fees — Additional costs to reschedule

Enforcement variability: Unlike Philippines' 100% enforcement, Vietnam airline checks are 70-80% consistent. Some travelers report no checks, creating false security. Don't rely on luck.

Immigration Checks (Secondary Enforcement)

Vietnamese immigration officers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Da Nang International Airport, and other entry points can request proof of onward travel.

When immigration checks:

• Suspicious travel patterns (frequent entries/exits, extended stays)
• Young solo travelers perceived as potential illegal workers
• Minimal luggage (backpackers with no clear travel plans)
• Previous overstay warnings in passport
• Random spot checks

What immigration may request:

• Proof of onward travel
• Accommodation bookings
• Financial proof (sufficient funds statement)
• Purpose of visit explanation

Consequences of no proof:

• Secondary inspection and questioning
• Shortened stay granted (e.g., 15 days instead of 45)
• Entry denial (rare but possible)
• Immigration fine or deportation (extreme cases)

Bottom line: Airlines catch 70-80% of undocumented travelers. Immigration provides backup enforcement for flagged passengers.

Vietnam's 2026 Entry Options

Visa-Free Entry (15-45 Days)

Vietnam offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries, with durations varying by nationality.

Key facts:

• Duration: 15, 30, or 45 days depending on nationality
• Common allocations:
  • 45 days: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, and 13 EU countries
  • 30 days: Russia, Japan, South Korea, Scandinavia
  • 15 days: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
• Passport validity: Minimum 6 months from arrival
• Onward ticket: Recommended, frequently checked by airlines
• Extensions: Not available; must leave or convert to e-visa

US/Canadian/Australian citizens: Must obtain e-visa (no visa-free entry)

E-Visa (30 or 90 Days)

Vietnam's electronic visa system, revamped in 2023, now accepts all nationalities.

Key facts:

• Duration options: 30 days or 90 days
• Entry types: Single-entry or multiple-entry
• Application: Online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
• Processing: 3 business days
• Cost: $25 USD (single-entry 30 days) to $50 USD (multiple-entry 90 days)
• Onward ticket risk: High (airlines consistently check e-visa holders)
• Validity: Can enter Vietnam within 30 days of e-visa issue date

E-visa advantages:

• Longer stays than visa-free (up to 90 days)
• Multiple entries (good for regional travel)
• All border crossings accepted (33 entry/exit points)

Visa on Arrival (30 Days)

Traditional visa obtained at Vietnam airports via pre-arranged approval letter.

Key facts:

• Duration: 30 days typically
• Process: Obtain approval letter online, pay stamp fee at airport ($25-50 USD)
• Onward ticket risk: Very high (always checked by airlines)
• Being phased out: E-visa is now preferred method

Work Permit / Temporary Resident Card

For employment or long-term residence in Vietnam.

Onward ticket risk: Very low (visa implies extended legal stay)

Entry Requirements by Visa Type

Visa-Free Entry (15-45 Days)

Requirements:

• Passport valid 6+ months from arrival
• Return or onward ticket (recommended)
• Sufficient funds for stay
• No recent overstays

Onward ticket enforcement: High from airlines, low from immigration

E-Visa (30-90 Days)

Requirements:

• Valid e-visa confirmation (print and digital copies)
• Passport valid 6+ months
• Onward travel within e-visa duration
• Entry/exit points matching e-visa application

Onward ticket enforcement: Very high from airlines, moderate from immigration

Visa on Arrival

Requirements:

• Pre-arranged approval letter
• Passport photos
• Visa stamp fee payment at airport
• Onward ticket

Onward ticket enforcement: Extremely high (always checked)

What Happens Without an Onward Ticket?

At Airline Check-In

Vietnam-bound flights have moderate-to-high enforcement:

1. Boarding denial — Check-in staff refuse boarding (70-80% of cases without documentation)
2. On-the-spot purchase — Must buy expensive ticket ($200-500 USD)
3. Manager override — Sometimes possible but unreliable
4. Occasional no-check — 20-30% of travelers report no verification (don't rely on this)

Average emergency ticket cost: $250-500 USD depending on destination

Common cheap onward destinations:

• Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok (Thailand)
• Hanoi → Vientiane (Laos)
• Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
• Ho Chi Minh City → Singapore
• Hanoi → Guangzhou (China)

At Vietnamese Immigration

If you reach Vietnam without documentation:

1. Questioning — Officers ask about travel plans, accommodation, finances
2. Shortened stay — May grant fewer days than maximum allowed
3. Secondary inspection — Extended processing, baggage check
4. Entry denial — Rare but possible for suspicious patterns

Most travelers report: Immigration doesn't check as aggressively as airlines.

Vietnam's Recent Visa Changes (2023)

Vietnam made significant improvements to its visa system in August 2023:

What Changed

1. E-visa eligibility: Expanded to all nationalities (previously limited)
2. E-visa duration: Extended to 90 days (previously 30 days max)
3. Multiple entries: E-visa now offers multiple-entry option
4. Visa-free stays: Some countries extended to 45 days (e.g., Germany, France, UK)
5. Entry points: E-visa valid at all 33 official border crossings

What This Means for Onward Tickets

• Longer e-visa stays (90 days) mean onward tickets can show later exit dates
• Multiple-entry e-visas reduce onward ticket scrutiny (implies planned regional travel)
• Extended visa-free stays (45 days) provide more flexibility

However, airlines still check regardless of visa type.

When Onward Tickets Are Rarely Checked

You're less likely to face scrutiny if:

• You have a round-trip ticket with clear return date
• You hold a work permit or temporary resident card
• You're entering via land borders (Cambodia, Laos, China)
• You have multiple-entry e-visa (implies planned regional travel)
• You're flying business or first class (perceived lower risk)
• You have clean passport (no overstays or visa issues)

Even in low-risk scenarios, having documentation ready ensures smooth travel.

Other Vietnam Entry Requirements

Passport Validity

• Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival date
• At least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps

Proof of Funds

• Vietnam recommends sufficient funds for duration of stay
• Rarely checked but advisable to have bank statements or credit cards
• More relevant if flagged for secondary inspection

Accommodation Proof

• First night's booking recommended
• Immigration may ask "Where will you stay?"
• Hotel booking, hostel, or host's address sufficient

Health Requirements

• No COVID-19 vaccination or test required (as of January 2026)
• No mandatory vaccinations for Vietnam entry
• Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries

Entry/Exit Points for E-Visa

E-visa holders can enter/exit through 33 official checkpoints, including:

Airports:

• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Noi Bai (Hanoi)
• Da Nang International Airport
• Cam Ranh (Nha Trang)
• Phu Quoc International Airport

Land borders:

• Moc Bai (Cambodia)
• Lao Bao (Laos)
• Mong Cai (China)

Verify your entry/exit points match your e-visa application.

Land Border Entries

Vietnam shares land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. Onward ticket enforcement at land crossings is significantly lighter than airports.

Common border crossings:

• Vietnam-Cambodia: Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Tinh Bien
• Vietnam-Laos: Lao Bao, Cau Treo, Nam Can
• Vietnam-China: Mong Cai, Lao Cai, Dong Dang

Border entry tips:

• Onward tickets rarely checked at land borders
• Have e-visa or visa-free eligibility confirmed before crossing
• Immigration focuses on passport stamps and visa validity
• Overland travelers perceived as lower overstay risk

What Travelers Report

Based on aggregated experiences from travel forums, social media, and community reports:

Airline enforcement is inconsistent but common. 70-80% of one-way passengers report checks. VietJet Air is strictest.

Vietnamese immigration is generally relaxed. Most travelers pass through without onward ticket verification.

E-visa holders face higher scrutiny. Airlines check e-visa passengers more consistently than visa-free travelers.

Land borders are easiest. Onward travel proof rarely requested at Cambodia, Laos, or China borders.

Round-trip tickets eliminate issues. Having a return flight avoids all checks entirely.

Vietnam Entry Updates for 2026

Current as of January 2026:

• E-visa system remains open to all nationalities with 90-day option
• Visa-free stays unchanged (15-45 days by nationality)
• No changes to onward ticket enforcement policies announced
• Land border entry rules stable
• 33 official e-visa entry/exit points maintained

Monitor for changes: Bookmark Vietnam Immigration Department and E-Visa Portal for updates.

Prepare Your Documentation

Vietnam's airline enforcement is moderate but consistent enough to create risk. Avoid boarding denial and expensive forced purchases by preparing your onward travel documentation before flying.

Create your Vietnam flight itinerary now

Check our full list of countries that require proof of onward travel