Vietnam Visa for French Citizens (2026): A Resident’s Guide

Forget the complex paperwork of the past; for French passport holders, entering Vietnam is now one of the simplest processes in Southeast Asia. You have two clear paths: a 45-day visa-free stay or a 90-day e-visa, which I’ve used multiple times from my base in Da Nang. The official system at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn works, but you must follow its rules precisely.

Overview for French Travelers

Vietnam’s visa policy for French citizens is straightforward, a legacy of the bilateral Schengen exemption agreement. You are not required to obtain a visa for short-term tourism. For longer stays, the universally available 90-day e-visa is your primary tool. There is no special “French citizen” visa; you use the same online portal as everyone else. The main decision point is duration: under 45 days or over.

Visa-Free Entry

French citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. This is a unilateral exemption, and I’ve used it for quick hops to Bangkok from Da Nang. The clock starts the day you enter immigration. You must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date and an outbound ticket (or proof of onward travel). This is strictly for tourism; you cannot conduct business or work on this entry. The biggest pitfall is overstaying. The 45-day period is fixed and cannot be extended. If you need 46 days, you must apply for an e-visa before you travel.

The E-Visa: Your Tool for Longer Stays

The 90-day e-visa is single-entry, costs $25, and is processed entirely online. It’s the visa I used for my initial relocation. It is valid for entry through 42 designated ports, including all international airports (Da Nang, Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat) and many land borders like Lao Bao. You apply on the sole official site: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Any other site is an agent charging a markup. You’ll need a digital passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport data page. The approval letter is a PDF you print and present on arrival.

Documents & Requirements

The requirements are minimal but non-negotiable. For visa-free entry: a French passport with six months’ validity and an onward ticket. For the e-visa: a digital passport-style photo (white background, no glasses), a clear scan of your passport’s biographical page, and a valid debit/credit card for the $25 fee. Your passport must have at least two blank pages. The photo specs are strict; I’ve seen applications rejected for shadows or incorrect sizing. Use a plain wall and good lighting.

Typical Processing Times & Costs

Officially, e-visa processing takes 3 working days. In my experience, it’s often faster—sometimes within 24 hours. Never apply less than a week before your trip, however. System delays or requests for corrected documents do happen. The cost is a flat $25, paid online. There are no hidden government fees. If you’re quoted more, you’re using a third-party agent. Visa-free entry, of course, costs nothing.

Visa Type	Cost	Max Stay	Processing Time	Entries
Visa-Free	$0	45 days	N/A	Multiple
E-Visa	$25	90 days	~3 days	Single

Extending Your Stay

This is where it gets complicated. You cannot extend a 45-day visa-free stamp. You must leave the country and re-enter. You cannot extend a standard 90-day e-visa within Vietnam, either. The only visas extendable internally are those issued by a Vietnamese embassy (like a 3-month multiple-entry visa) or specific business visas. The common solution for long-term tourists is a “visa run.” I’ve taken the bus from Da Nang to Laos via the Lao Bao border, turned around, and re-entered on a new e-visa. It’s a long day. Alternatively, fly to a nearby hub like Bangkok or Singapore for a weekend.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options

As of now, Vietnam does not have a dedicated digital nomad or remote work visa. Working remotely on a tourist visa (e-visa or visa-free) is a legal gray area and technically violates the conditions of stay. Enforcement is sporadic but real; immigration officials may ask for proof of employment or funds. For true long-term stays (one year), the most reliable method is securing a sponsored Temporary Residence Card (TRC) through a employer, school, or by investing in a business. This is a complex, expensive process requiring a Vietnamese sponsor. Many expats in Da Nang’s An Thượng district cycle through e-visas and border runs, but this carries eventual scrutiny risk.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

The single biggest mistake is using a third-party e-visa website. They charge double and often make errors. Bookmark the official .gov.vn site. For e-visas, ensure your entry port and dates are 100% correct; a visa for “Tan Son Nhat” (Ho Chi Minh City) is not valid for entry at “Da Nang.” Overstaying incurs a steep fine—about $25 per day—and can lead to bans. Internet censorship is a reality; you’ll need a reliable VPN to access some Western services and for general internet security. I rely on one daily. For a current analysis, see our guide at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can French citizens stay in Vietnam without a visa?

45 days. This is a fixed period for tourism. You cannot convert it or extend it from within the country.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from France?

It depends on your length of stay. For under 45 days, no. You’ll receive a visa-free stamp upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport. For longer, you need an e-visa specifying Da Nang as your entry port.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa from within Vietnam?

No. The 90-day e-visa is non-extendable. You must leave when it expires and apply for a new one to re-enter.

What’s the cost of a Vietnam e-visa for French citizens?

The government fee is $25 USD. Any site charging more is acting as an agent. The visa-free option costs nothing.

Which documents do I need for a Vietnamese e-visa?

You need a digital passport photo meeting strict specifications, a clear scan of your passport data page, and a credit/debit card. Your passport must be valid for over six months.

Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist visa?

Technically, no. Tourist visas (including visa-free and e-visa) are for tourism only. Remote work is not officially permitted, though enforcement is inconsistent. It carries a risk of visa denial or future entry issues.

Is the 45-day visa-free period per visit or per year?

It’s per visit. There is no official published annual limit, but frequent back-to-back entries may raise questions with immigration officers about the purpose of your stay.

What happens if my e-visa application is rejected?

You will receive an email notification and your $25 fee is not refunded. You must correct the issue (often a photo or scan problem) and submit a new application with a new fee.

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Disclaimer: Visa and immigration regulations change. This guide reflects the rules and my personal experience as of early 2026. Always verify requirements directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate before finalizing travel plans.