Visa: how long you can stay
| Citizenship | Visa-free |
|---|---|
| Russia, South Korea, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | 45 days (until 14 Mar 2028) |
| Belarus | 30 days, max 90 days per calendar year |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days, max 90 days in 180 |
| Uzbekistan (ordinary passport) | no exemption, visa or e-visa needed |
| All countries | e-visa up to 90 days |
The count starts on arrival day, which is day 1: arrive on 1 March on a 45-day exemption and you must leave by 14 April.
The date on the entry stamp in your passport is what counts. Check it right after passport control.
Overstay fines
Staying past your permitted date without an extension:
| under 16 days | VND 500,000-2,000,000 |
|---|---|
| 16-29 days | VND 5,000,000-10,000,000 |
| 30-59 days | VND 10,000,000-15,000,000 |
| 60-89 days | VND 15,000,000-20,000,000 |
| 90-179 days | VND 20,000,000-25,000,000 |
| 180 days - 1 year | VND 25,000,000-30,000,000 |
| 1 year or more | VND 30,000,000-40,000,000 |
From 16 days over, deportation is possible on top of the fine.
Your hotel or landlord must register your stay with the police. Hand over your passport at check-in; registering is their duty, not yours.
Source: Nghị quyết 44/NQ-CP · MOFA · e-visa · Nghị định 282/2025/NĐ-CP, Điều 21
Scooters and motorbikes
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| No valid licence (up to 125 cc) | VND 2,000,000-4,000,000 |
| No valid licence (over 125 cc) | VND 6,000,000-8,000,000 |
| No helmet (rider or passenger) | VND 400,000-600,000 |
| Any alcohol at all | VND 2,000,000-3,000,000, up to VND 10,000,000 and a 22-24 month licence ban at high levels |
Foreigners must carry an international driving permit together with their national licence (unless a treaty says otherwise). Without them you are fined as if unlicensed, and the bike can be impounded.
Source: Nghị định 168/2024/NĐ-CP
Currency exchange
Exchange money only at banks and licensed exchange points. Exchanging at an unlicensed gold shop or with private people is an offence for both sides, and the currency is confiscated.
| Amount | Fine |
|---|---|
| under USD 1,000 | warning and confiscation |
| USD 1,000-9,999 | VND 10,000,000-20,000,000 |
| USD 10,000-99,999 | VND 20,000,000-30,000,000 |
| USD 100,000 or more | VND 80,000,000-100,000,000 |
Sea and coral
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Breaking or taking coral (under 5 kg) | VND 10,000,000-20,000,000 |
| Coral 5-10 kg | VND 20,000,000-30,000,000 |
| Litter in public places and beaches | VND 500,000-1,000,000 |
| Plastic waste into the sea | VND 1,000,000-2,000,000 |
Coral is a protected species and Nha Trang Bay has a marine reserve: do not break or pick up coral, even from the seabed.
Since 12 Aug 2026 beach businesses in Nha Trang (loungers, umbrellas, food on the sand) stop at 18:00. Swimming is not banned, but we advise against it in the evening and at night: it is dark, lifeguards work in daytime and Nha Trang has no licensed night beach.
Source: Nghị định 38/2024/NĐ-CP, Điều 8 · Nghị định 45/2022/NĐ-CP, Điều 25 · Tuoi Tre News, 12.08.2026 · Báo Văn hóa: đình chỉ bãi tắm đêm chưa cấp phép
Vapes and smoking
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Vapes and heated tobacco: even using them is banned | VND 3,000,000-5,000,000, device destroyed |
| Smoking where it is banned (no-smoking signs, public transport) | VND 200,000-500,000 |
| Dropping cigarette butts | VND 100,000-150,000 |
Source: Nghị định 371/2025/NĐ-CP · Nghị định 117/2020/NĐ-CP, Điều 25 · Nghị định 45/2022/NĐ-CP, Điều 25
Drones and military sites
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Flying a drone without a flight permit | VND 20,000,000-30,000,000, drone confiscated |
| Filming in a restricted military zone | VND 5,000,000-8,000,000, confiscation |
Flying a drone requires a flight permit. Do not photograph military sites or areas with no-photography signs.
Source: Nghị định 282/2025/NĐ-CP, Điều 8 (sửa đổi bởi 347/2026/NĐ-CP) · Nghị định 218/2025/NĐ-CP, Điều 40
Drugs
Possessing or transporting as little as 0.1 g of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA or ketamine, and selling drugs, are criminal offences. Sentences run from 3 years in prison to life. Never carry anything for someone else.
Reference information, not legal advice. Amounts are for individuals (organisations pay double). Rules change: if in doubt, ask your hotel, a visa agent or the immigration office.
Checked against the official texts on 21.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many days can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?
45 days for citizens of Russia, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland (Resolution 44/NQ-CP, until 14 March 2028); 30 days for Belarus and Kazakhstan. Arrival day is day 1. Longer stays: e-visa up to 90 days.
What is the fine for overstaying a visa in Vietnam?
Under 16 days: VND 500,000-2,000,000. 16-29 days: VND 5-10 million and possible deportation. The fine rises to VND 30-40 million for a year or more (Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, Article 21).
Can I ride a scooter in Vietnam with my home licence?
Only with a valid international driving permit plus your national licence. Without them the fine is VND 2-4 million for a scooter up to 125 cc.