Vietnam visa-free for Indian passport — the full 2026 rules
Vietnam went visa-free for Indians in August 2024 — 45 days, single or multiple entry. Almost nobody knows the multi-entry exists. Here's the full 2026 rule set.
Vietnam removed visa requirements for Indian passport holders in August 2024. The new rule allows 45 days per entry, applies to both tourism and business, and — the part most articles miss — supports multiple entries within a 6-month window.
What this actually means at immigration: walk up to the counter, hand over the passport, get a 45-day stamp, walk out. No forms, no fees, no e-visa application. If you've done Sri Lanka under the old ETA system, this is genuinely easier.
The catch is small but worth knowing: Vietnam's 45-day clock starts the moment you stamp in, not when you enter the airport. If your inbound flight lands at 11:55 pm, that's still day 1 of your 45. Plan border-runs around this if you're using Vietnam as a SE Asia base.
Onward travel rules to watch: most airlines (especially budget ones like IndiGo and VietJet) won't board you for a one-way Vietnam ticket unless you can show onward travel or proof of funds. A ₹1,500 Cambodia bus ticket from 12Go Asia satisfies this.
For Indian travellers planning a multi-country SE Asia trip — Vietnam → Cambodia → Thailand for instance — the 45-day window is generous enough that you can do Vietnam properly without needing to extend.
Open this in the AI Trip Architect to generate a verified day-by-day itinerary in 60 seconds with realistic 2026 INR costs.