As of 2025, Vietnam allows French passport holders to enter without a visa. Familiarizing yourself with this visa exemption policy will give you greater peace of mind when visiting Vietnam.
French tourists enjoy 45-day visa-free entry in Vietnam (Source: Bao Tuoi Tre)
No. French citizens do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for stays of up to 45 days.
Under Vietnam's unilateral visa exemption policy, French passport holders can visit Vietnam for up to 45 days without applying for a visa in advance.
The exemption applies regardless of passport type or purpose of entry, including tourism, business, work, family/relative visits, etc.
Importantly, although the visa exemption is not restricted to tourism, French citizens intending to work in Vietnam must separately comply with Vietnamese labor laws, including obtaining a work permit or meeting the requirements for a work permit exemption.
To enter Vietnam under the visa exemption scheme, French citizens should:
Yes. French citizens residing in France's overseas territories are also eligible for Vietnam's visa exemption, if they also hold French passports.
Vietnam's visa exemption is based on nationality and passport eligibility, not the geographic location where a French citizen resides:
Map of French overseas territories (Source: ResearchGate)
Vietnam visa exemption for French cannot be extended. French citizens planning to stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days must obtain an appropriate visa or do a visa-run
There are commonly 3 ways to get a Vietnam visa: Vietnam e-visa, Vietnam embassy visa, and Vietnam visa on arrival.
|
Criteria |
Vietnam e-visa |
Vietnam embassy visa |
Vietnam visa on arrival |
|
Where to apply? |
Vietnam embassy in Paris |
Apply online for approval letter |
|
|
Processing time |
3-5 working days |
2 weeks or longer |
Can be urgent |
|
Maximum stay |
90 days |
Depending on visa types, up to 5 years |
90 days |
|
Purpose of entry |
Tourism, work, business, family visits |
All purposes |
All purposes |
|
Best for |
Stay under 90 days |
Specific types of visa |
People in overseas territories |
Among all, e-visa is the most simple option.
Vietnam embassy in France is located in Paris
Since your permitted length of stay is calculated from the date of entry, leaving Vietnam and re-entering grants you an additional 45 days of stay. This practice is known as a "visa run”
However, a visa run is not an ideal option if you intend to stay long-term. Frequent entry and exit may raise suspicions among immigration authorities that you are exploiting the regulations to live or work in the country illegally. You could face consequences such as:
Vietnam visa fee for French starts from just €22.50
The cost of a Vietnam visa for French citizens depends on the visa type, number of permitted entries, and period of validity.
For stays of up to 45 days under the visa exemption scheme, no visa fee is required. For longer stays, Vietnam's government visa fees are shown below. The fee in EUR may not reflect the current exchange rate.
|
Visa type |
Validity |
Government fee |
|
Single entry |
Subject to visa category |
$25 (€22.50) |
|
Multiple entry |
Up to 3 months |
$50 (€45.00) |
|
Multiple entry |
Over 3 to 6 months |
$95 (€85.50) |
|
Multiple entry |
Over 6 months to 1 year |
$135 (€121.50) |
|
Multiple entry |
Over 1 to 2 years |
$145 (€130.50) |
|
Multiple entry |
Over 2 to 5 years |
$155 (€139.50) |
Even when French citizens are eligible for visa-free entry or an online e-visa, several practical considerations can affect their travel plans.
Vietnam operates on Indochina Time (UTC+7) throughout the year, while mainland France observes daylight saving time:
For example, when it is 9:00 AM in Paris during winter, it is already 3:00 PM in Hanoi.
This difference is particularly important when contacting Vietnamese immigration authorities or coordinating visa application deadlines.
French citizens living in overseas territories should also check their local time differences, which may differ significantly from those in mainland France.
The Embassy of Vietnam closes on both French and Vietnamese public holidays.
Travelers applying through the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris should take into account weekends, public holidays, and potential consular closures. In addition to French public holidays, the Vietnamese Embassy also observes certain Vietnamese public holidays. Some Vietnamese holidays follow the lunar calendar, meaning they do not fall on the same date in the solar calendar every year. Major Vietnamese holidays include:
Vietnam e-visa application interface
Although French travelers benefit from Vietnam's visa exemption policy, the official e-visa application system provides guidance primarily in Vietnamese and English, rather than French.
Applicants unfamiliar with English may find certain sections challenging, particularly those requesting detailed personal information, travel dates, or entry points.
If you are unfamiliar with the interface, you can request assistance from a visa agency.
One of the most important rules for French travelers is to leave Vietnam before their authorized period of stay expires. Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption is not automatically extendable, and travelers should not assume they can convert it into a longer tourist stay after entering the country.
Overstaying your permitted stay limit may result in:
French travelers can reach Vietnam on nonstop flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Vietnam Airlines and AirFrance operate direct flights to both Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), allowing you to enjoy a direct flight without a layover. These direct flights might be slightly more expensive than connecting flights, but they can save you time and travel effort.
Before booking, make sure your planned arrival and departure dates fall within your 45-day visa exemption or approved visa validity period.
UrgentVisaToVietnam offers reliable visa processing service
UrgentVisaToVietnam is a reputable Vietnam emergency visa processing service that has been operating since 2010. We have assisted over 56,000 clients from more than 190 countries, including France. Our team of visa specialists stays up-to-date with the latest visa regulations and requirements to ensure your visa is processed quickly and accurately.
Jean, a French traveler, had planned a 60-day journey across Vietnam and had already booked his flights and accommodation. However, just 3 days before departure, he discovered that French citizens were only eligible for 45 days of visa-free entry, risking him to face an overstay fine.
Concerned about potential immigration issues, Jean contacted UrgentVisaToVietnam for assistance. Our team promptly reviewed his travel itinerary, verified his documents, and helped him apply for a 90-day Vietnam e-visa.
Within 2 working days, Jean received his approved e-visa, allowing him to travel to Vietnam as planned without changing his flights or accommodation.
If you need assistance with your Vietnam visa, contact us via [email protected]