Passport validity rules for Vietnam
Vietnam strictly enforces the 6-month passport rule. Airlines won't let you check in if you're short — even by a day.
6 months beyond entry. 6 months beyond entry, with at least 1 blank page.
Airlines flying to Vietnam check your passport against the 6-month rule the moment you check in. Even if the country itself would let you in, the airline won't board you — no refund, ticket marked used. Here's what actually happens →
Can I travel to Vietnam?
6 months beyond entry, with at least 1 blank page.
Vietnam: six months, one blank page, and an e-visa that expires
Vietnam applies the six-month rule at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and all land crossings from Cambodia and Laos. It's a strict enforcement — travellers with five months and 29 days of validity have been refused boarding by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, and there's no supervisor override at the check-in desk.
UK passport holders get 45 days visa-free, but most other nationalities need an e-visa from the official Vietnamese government portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — beware of the many scam sites with similar names). The e-visa is single-entry, tied to your passport number, and non-transferable if you renew your passport in the meantime.
Land crossings from Cambodia (Moc Bai, Bavet) and Laos (Lao Bao) apply the same rule and are often stricter with document condition than the airports. A passport with water damage or a torn cover gets refused at land borders more often than in Hanoi or HCMC — if yours is battered, renew before booking.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need 6 months on my passport for Vietnam?
- Yes. Vietnam requires at least 6 months of passport validity from your date of entry. The rule is enforced by airlines at check-in.
- Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
- Most travellers need an e-Visa from the Vietnamese government's official portal. UK passport holders get 45-day visa-free entry, but the 6-month rule still applies.
- Do I need blank pages?
- Yes — at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp and any visa sticker.
- Is the rule the same at land borders?
- Yes. Whether you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or cross overland from Cambodia or Laos, the 6-month rule applies.
Related reading
All guides →Why countries enforce it and how to tell if you meet it.
Read →Full list of countries that strictly enforce the rule.
Read →
Denied boarding, refused entry — the real consequences.
Read →Why your airline can refuse you boarding.
Read →Same-day vs One Week — real waits and true costs.
Read →Browse every destination in one list.
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