Are travelers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China visa-exempt when traveling to Vietnam? 2026: the latest entry and electronic visa (e-Visa) regulations — all explained in one place.

2026 Vietnam visa policy overview: Do travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan need a visa?

As the 2026 travel boom continues to heat up, Vietnam remains one of the top destinations for travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. However, questions like "Do you need a visa to go to Vietnam?", "I heard there is a 45-day visa exemption?", and "What are the conditions for Phu Quoc visa exemption?" abound online. In fact, Vietnam has completely different visa rules for travelers of different nationalities, and this article will clarify all your questions at once.

First, to clear up one of the most common misconceptions: Vietnam does indeed offer a 45-day visa exemption for certain European and Asian countries (such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, etc.), but this policy does not apply to holders of ordinary passports from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mainland China. Below are the visa rules for travelers from those three places.

Taiwanese travelers: need to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa)

Taiwan passport holders are not eligible for the general visa exemption policy. Travelers to Vietnam must apply in advance on the official Vietnam electronic visa website (evisa.gov.vn) for an electronic visa (e-Visa). The e-Visa permits a maximum stay of 90 days and can be issued for single or multiple entry; the fee is 25 USD for single entry and 50 USD for multiple entry, and official processing takes about 3 working days.

Hong Kong travelers: are required to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa)

Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports (HKSAR) are likewise not subject to the visa-exemption policy. Travelers to Vietnam must apply in advance on the official Vietnam electronic visa website (evisa.gov.vn) for an electronic visa (e-Visa), and may stay for up to 90 days.

Travelers from Mainland China: need to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa)

Mainland China passport holders traveling to Vietnam must apply in advance for an electronic visa (e-Visa) on the official Vietnam electronic visa website (evisa.gov.vn), and may stay for up to 90 days. Please note that when applying for the e-Visa you must upload a white-background headshot and must not wear glasses in the photo — this is a detail many travelers often overlook.

Practical tips: e-Visa application waiting times and tips for expediting processing

Official processing time: The official rule is 3 working days. Based on actual travelers' personal experience, it does indeed take at least 3 working days to be issued; it is recommended to apply at least one week before departure.

Peak-season delays: If encountering Vietnamese public holidays or peak travel seasons (such as around Lunar New Year), processing time may be extended to 5 working days; be sure to apply early to avoid affecting your trip.

Hidden tip for expediting: if you still haven't received your visa after more than 3 working days, it's strongly recommended to send an email to the contact address on the application website (evisa.gov.vn) to request expedited processing. According to many travelers' real-world experience, using this method usually results in receiving the visa on the next working day.

The only exception: the 30-day visa exemption policy for Phu Quoc

Although travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan need visas to travel to mainland Vietnam (such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang), the Vietnamese government has implemented a special visa-exemption policy for Phu Quoc. As long as the following conditions are met, travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption for Phu Quoc: passport validity must be at least 6 months; must fly directly to Phu Quoc and not first enter mainland Vietnam and then transfer to Phu Quoc; and the length of stay must not exceed 30 days.

Please note: if your itinerary is "first spend a few days on Phu Quoc, then fly to Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang," you must apply for the Vietnam e-Visa before departure. If you enter Phu Quoc visa-free, you will not be able to obtain a visa on the island to travel to mainland Vietnam — this is a common mistake many travelers make!

2026 New entry regulations: PAI electronic arrival card

Besides visas, there is another new requirement for entering Vietnam in 2026: the PAI electronic arrival card (Pre-arrival Information). From April 2026, the Vietnamese government announced a pilot of the PAI system at major international airports, including Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Travelers can fill out their personal information on the official website (prearrival.immigration.gov.vn) before arrival to speed up immigration clearance.

First-hand real situation (latest update July 2026): According to recent incoming travelers' personal reports, Vietnamese customs has not yet strictly enforced PAI checks, and many travelers have still passed through immigration smoothly without presenting PAI. Although enforcement is not strict at the moment, to avoid trouble if policies tighten in the future, travelers are advised to fill out the PAI in advance before departure; the whole process takes only about 5 minutes.

Conclusion: Get your visa in order and set off with peace of mind.

In summary, in 2026 travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan visiting Vietnam, except for direct flights to Phu Quoc, must apply in advance on the official website (evisa.gov.vn) for an electronic visa (e-Visa). Remember to apply early — during peak season allow at least 5 working days, and make good use of email follow-up techniques. After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Win Royal Spa, located at No. 48 Le Thi Hinh Street, District 1, offers authentic Vietnamese hair washing and four-hand massages, making it the best choice to relieve long-haul flight fatigue.