Vietnam Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, thanks to an exemption extended in August 2023. For stays of 46 to 90 days, an e-visa is required, costing $25 and applied for online before travel. Vietnam is a spectacular destination spanning ancient cities, karst seascapes, and vibrant street food culture.
United Kingdom passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Vietnam.
UK citizens have two options for entering Vietnam:
Option 1: Visa-free (up to 45 days)
No application needed. Simply arrive with a valid UK passport and you will be admitted for up to 45 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date and that you carry a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
Option 2: E-visa (up to 90 days, single entry)
Apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before travel. The fee is $25 USD, payable by card during the application. Processing takes approximately 3 working days, so apply at least a week before departure. The e-visa is single entry and allows a maximum stay of 90 days. Download and print your e-visa approval or keep a digital copy on your phone to present at immigration.
The e-visa route is recommended if you plan to stay longer than 45 days, or if you want the certainty of pre-approved entry.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
E-visa approval
Apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before travel. The fee is $25 USD, payable by debit or credit card. Processing takes approximately 3 working days. Print your e-visa or save a digital copy to present at immigration on arrival.
Valid UK passport (for e-visa application)
Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp. Ensure it is valid for the full duration of your trip.
Debit or credit card
Required to pay the $25 USD e-visa application fee online. Visa and Mastercard are accepted on the official portal.
Required at Entry
Valid UK passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Vietnam. At least 1 blank page required for the entry stamp.
Return or onward ticket
Immigration officers may ask for proof that you are leaving Vietnam before your permitted stay expires.
Proof of accommodation
Have the address of at least your first night's accommodation available. This can be a hotel booking confirmation or a host's address.
E-visa approval (if applicable) Recommended
If travelling on the e-visa route, present your e-visa approval (printed or digital) at immigration. If staying 45 days or fewer, no visa document is required -- you are admitted visa-free on arrival.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Vietnam: What You Need to Know
Since August 2023, Vietnam has granted UK passport holders a 45-day visa-free exemption on arrival, making it easier than ever to visit without advance paperwork. For stays beyond 45 days, up to a maximum of 90 days, a single-entry e-visa is required and must be obtained before arrival.
Vietnam rewards visitors with extraordinary variety. Hanoi in the north offers centuries of history, the Old Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake. Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws travellers with its dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Hoi An is the country's most photogenic town, famed for its lantern-lit Ancient Town and tailor shops. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south pulses with energy, street food, and war history at the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum.
The country's north-to-south geography means climate varies significantly by region and season. Vietnam is an excellent value destination; budget travellers can live very comfortably on modest daily spends once in-country.
How to Get There
There are no nonstop flights from the UK to Vietnam. Total journey times typically range from 13 to 16 hours depending on the connection.
Main UK departure airport: London Heathrow (LHR) is the primary hub for Vietnam flights.
Vietnam entry airports: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves Hanoi; Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) serves Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang (DAD) is also a useful gateway for central Vietnam.
- Cathay Pacific routes via Hong Kong (HKG)
- Thai Airways routes via Bangkok (BKK)
- Qatar Airways and Emirates connect via Doha and Dubai respectively, often with strong fares
- Vietnam Airlines flies from LHR with connections via a Gulf or Asian hub
Airlines and common routes:
Money & Banking
Vietnam's currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Exchange rates are very favourable for UK visitors. 1 GBP buys roughly 30,000 to 32,000 VND, so you will be handling large numbers regularly.
UK bank cards (Visa and Mastercard) work well at ATMs in major cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An. However, cash is essential outside urban centres. Smaller towns, markets, street food stalls, and rural guesthouses often do not accept cards.
ATM fees: Vietnamese ATMs typically charge a local fee of 30,000 to 50,000 VND per withdrawal. Some banks set daily withdrawal limits as low as 2,000,000 VND (~55 GBP), so you may need multiple transactions for larger amounts.
- Notify your UK bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks
- Watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Always choose to be charged in VND, never in GBP
- Consider bringing some USD in cash as a backup. USD is widely accepted in tourist areas
Before travel:
Practical Tips
Traffic and road crossing: Vietnamese cities, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have intense motorbike traffic. The key to crossing roads safely is to move slowly and steadily; motorbikes will flow around you. Never stop suddenly or run.
Grab app: Download Grab (Southeast Asia's equivalent of Uber) before or on arrival. It eliminates fare negotiation and is significantly safer than flagging unmetered taxis.
Bargaining: Prices in markets and from street vendors are expected to be negotiated. Start lower than you expect to pay and be respectful.
Street food safety: Vietnam's street food scene is world-class. Eat at busy stalls with high turnover, look for freshly cooked food, and avoid raw vegetables washed in tap water if your stomach is sensitive.
Travel insurance: Essential. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, as healthcare standards vary greatly outside major cities.
Respect local customs: Remove shoes before entering temples and pagodas, dress modestly at religious sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Not always. UK passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days since Vietnam extended its unilateral visa exemption in August 2023. No advance application is needed -- simply arrive with a valid passport.
If you want to stay longer, between 46 and 90 days, you must apply for an e-visa before travel. The e-visa costs $25 USD and is single entry, allowing up to 90 days.
How do I apply for a Vietnam e-visa?
Apply online at the official Vietnamese immigration portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
- Complete the online form with your passport details and travel dates
- Upload a passport photo and a scan of your passport bio-data page
- Pay the $25 USD fee by debit or credit card
- Receive your e-visa approval by email, typically within 3 working days
The process is straightforward:
Print your approval or save it digitally and present it at immigration on arrival. Apply at least a week before your travel date.
How long can UK citizens stay in Vietnam?
UK citizens can stay for up to 45 days visa-free on a single visit. This 45-day exemption applies per entry and does not require any advance application.
For a longer stay of up to 90 days, you will need to apply for a single-entry e-visa ($25 USD) before travel.
Do UK bank cards work in Vietnam?
Yes, UK Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards work at ATMs in major cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An. However, cash is essential for street food stalls, markets, smaller towns, and rural areas, which are often cash-only.
ATMs in Vietnam typically charge a local fee of 30,000 to 50,000 VND per withdrawal. Inform your bank before travel to avoid fraud blocks, and always select to be charged in VND rather than GBP to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Vietnam?
No, there are currently no nonstop flights between the UK and Vietnam. All routes involve at least one connection, and total journey times are typically 13 to 16 hours.
- Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (HKG)
- Thai Airways via Bangkok (BKK)
- Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH)
- Emirates via Dubai (DXB)
Common connecting options from London Heathrow (LHR):
Vietnam's main international airports are Hanoi (HAN) in the north and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in the south. Da Nang (DAD) is a useful gateway for central Vietnam including Hoi An.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam's long north-to-south geography means the best time to visit depends on which region you are heading to.
Hanoi and the north: Best from October to April, when it is cool and dry. Summer months (May to September) bring heat and heavy rain.
Hoi An and central Vietnam: Best from February to May, the dry season. Avoid October and November when typhoon-related flooding can affect the region.
Ho Chi Minh City and the south: Best from November to April, the dry season.
For a north-to-south trip covering the whole country, February to April offers the best overall conditions across all regions.