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Vietnam Visa for France Citizens 2026

Visa Free

French citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for tourism for up to 45 days under Vietnam's unilateral exemption for French nationals.

Guide last updated September 24, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
  • No visa required for stays up to 45 days under the unilateral exemption
  • Proof of onward or return travel may be requested
  • Proof of accommodation recommended
  • No biometrics or advance photo submission required for the visa-free entry
  • Travel health insurance is recommended, not mandatory

Visa types

  • Unilateral visa exemption: up to 45 days, single entry, tourism and short business purposes
  • e-Visa: available separately for stays over 45 days or for multiple entries, applied for online through evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, valid up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options, fee applies
  • Longer stays, work, or study require a work permit/visa sponsored by a Vietnamese employer or institution

Entry conditions

  • Up to 45 days visa-free, single entry, non-extendable under the exemption itself
  • No paid work permitted under the visa-free entry
  • To stay longer or re-enter without a new visa-free period, apply for an e-Visa or standard visa before the 45 days elapse, since consecutive visa-free entries close together may be scrutinized
  • Present your passport and be ready to show onward travel proof at the border

Fees & processing time

  • No fee for the 45-day visa-free entry
  • If instead applying for the e-Visa for a longer or multi-entry stay, the fee is USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple entry), with processing of 3 working days
  • No processing time for the visa-free entry itself, since no application is required
  • Some travelers extend their trip through a visa run to a neighboring country, though this is not always guaranteed to reset eligibility smoothly

Tips for France travelers

  • Track your 45-day limit carefully, since overstaying even by a day results in fines and possible issues on departure
  • If you know your trip may exceed 45 days, apply for the e-Visa before departure instead of relying on the exemption, to avoid needing a visa run
  • Common issue: assuming the exemption is renewable by leaving and re-entering quickly, which Vietnamese immigration can flag on frequent re-entries
  • Check current entry requirements on the official e-Visa portal, as Vietnam periodically updates its visa-exemption list and durations

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.