The Vietnamese government has extended the visa waiver policy for eight countries in the Schengen Area, allowing their passport holders to enter Vietnam visa-free until 2028.
This measure applies to nationals and passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, Schengen.News reports.
These travellers will be eligible to enter Vietnam without a visa until March 14, 2028, allowing them to enjoy visa-free travel for a period of up to 45 days.
Swiss, Czechs & Poles to Also Enter Vietnam Visa-Free
Citizens of Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland are also eligible to enter Vietnam without a visa, as part of the country’s efforts to maintain its policy of openness.
The measure applicable to citizens of these three countries is a temporary visa exemption that came into force on March 1, 2025, and is valid until the end of the year – December 31, 2025.
Like citizens of other countries, Swiss, Czech and Polish citizens are eligible to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days, provided they are visiting for tourism purposes.
Vietnam’s targets for international tourism for 2025 include welcoming 23 million foreign visitors – a goal that has prompted the introduction of these facilitating measures.
Currently, Vietnam is also working on its e-visa system, which will enable travellers to obtain visas online. These are usually valid for periods of up to 90 days and can be single or multiple-entry visas.
Vietnam Extends Visa Waiver for Schengen States in Efforts to Attract Tourists
The facilitated travel rules are expected to boost the number of tourists, especially from the Schengen Area, while also encouraging international trade.
The Vietnamese government has had this approach towards facilitating entry policy to attract more visitors and boost the economy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which indicates that in the last four to five years, Vietnam has become more open to tourists, especially European ones.
While visa-free travel is a positive measure, it is not newly introduced as the Vietnamese government initially launched it on August 2023, whereas the decision for visa-free travel was formalised on March 7, 2025.
By facilitating travelling, Vietnam is positioning itself among destinations to consider if travellers enjoy visiting places in this part of Asia. Vietnam aims to become a strong competitor in the tourism industry to Thailand and Singapore – the two destinations that are the most popular among European tourists at the moment
