Vietnam Visa Guide 2026:
E-Visa, Visa-Free Entry & Long-Stay Options

Vietnam has made entering the country easier than ever. Whether you are flying in for a two-week dental trip, settling in as a digital nomad, or planning a month-long holiday, the paperwork is straightforward. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 45 days, and a 90-day e-visa is available to citizens of virtually every country for just USD $25.

This guide covers every visa option relevant to travellers and dental tourists in 2026, including the recently introduced 5-year talent visa for skilled professionals. We also explain exactly how visa timing works for multi-visit dental treatment plans like implants and full-arch restorations.

Visa Options at a Glance

45-Day Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of more than 25 countries can enter Vietnam without any visa for stays of up to 45 days. This is the simplest and most common way for dental tourists and holiday-makers to enter the country. No application, no fee, no advance paperwork.

Eligible nationalities include Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. The full list is periodically updated and has been extended through at least 2028.

To enter visa-free, you need a passport valid for at least six months from your entry date, and you may be asked to show proof of a return or onward flight. You receive entry and exit stamps in your passport at immigration.

90-Day E-Visa

The Vietnam e-visa is available to citizens of all countries and allows stays of up to 90 days. It is the recommended option if your trip exceeds 45 days, if you are not eligible for visa-free entry, or if you need multiple entries (for example, visiting a neighbouring country mid-trip and returning to Vietnam).

How to Apply

The application is completed online at the official Vietnam Immigration portal. You will need a digital scan of your passport data page, a recent passport-style photo in .jpg format, a valid email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the fee (USD $25 for single entry, USD $50 for multiple entry).

Processing takes 3 to 5 business days. You will not receive an email notification; you must return to the website and check the status of your application using your registration code. If approved, download and print your e-visa. You present this printed document at immigration alongside your passport. No passport stamp is required for e-visa holders.

Entry Points

As of 2026, Vietnam has expanded the list of border checkpoints accepting e-visas to 83, including all international airports, 16 land borders, and 13 seaports. All three major dental tourism airports (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in HCMC, and Da Nang International) accept e-visas.

5-Year Talent Visa (Digital Nomads & Skilled Professionals)

Vietnam does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa in the way that countries like Thailand or Indonesia do. However, it has introduced a 5-year talent visa (officially called a "special visa exemption card for skilled professionals") that may suit some remote workers and long-stay visitors.

This multi-entry visa allows eligible foreign nationals to live and work in Vietnam for up to 5 years, with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days at a time before you must exit and re-enter. The application fee is USD $50.

Who Is Eligible?

The talent visa targets professionals in specific fields: academics, scientists, and university professors; chief architects; highly skilled professionals in the digital technology industry; investors, corporate leaders, and executives of major global enterprises; individuals with a positive public influence in culture, arts, sports, or tourism; and invited guests of recognised research institutes, universities, or large enterprises as approved by competent government ministries.

You will likely need to provide documentation proving your qualifications, work experience, and standing in one of these eligible fields. The exact requirements are still being refined as the programme is relatively new.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security's national portal. Given that the talent visa is new and detailed guidance is limited, working with a qualified immigration solicitor is advisable. A solicitor can help you prepare supporting documents, navigate the requirements, and avoid errors that could delay or derail your application.

Which Visa Do Dental Tourists Need?

The vast majority of dental tourists need nothing more than the standard 45-day visa-free entry. Even complex treatment plans like full sets of veneers, All-on-4 restorations, or same-trip implant placements with temporary teeth can be completed well within 45 days.

There is no special medical or dental visa for Vietnam. You enter under a standard tourist or business entry, and there are no legal restrictions on receiving healthcare, dental treatment, or medical procedures during your stay.

Two-Trip Implant Plans & Visa Timing

Dental implants are one of the most popular reasons international patients visit Vietnam. The standard process involves two trips: a first trip for implant placement (and often a temporary crown or bridge), followed by a second trip 3 to 6 months later for the permanent crown once the implant has integrated with the jawbone.

How Visa Timing Works for Two Trips

Since the two trips are separated by months, the 30-day gap rule between visa-free entries is easily satisfied. Each trip stands on its own as a straightforward short visit.

Dental Care for Expats & Long-Stay Visitors

If you are living in Vietnam as a digital nomad, expat, or long-stay visitor, you have access to the same dental clinics and treatments as short-term tourists, often at a fraction of what you would pay back home. Vietnam's dental industry has grown rapidly, with clinics in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang equipped with the same technology and implant brands (Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Osstem) used in Western countries.

As a long-stay visitor, you also benefit from continuity of care. You can build an ongoing relationship with a dentist, schedule regular check-ups and cleanings, and address issues as they arise rather than waiting for a dedicated trip. For complex treatment plans, being in-country eliminates the logistical challenge of coordinating multiple international flights.

Dental costs in Vietnam represent savings of 50% to 80% compared to Australia, the US, or the UK. A single dental implant (including crown) costs USD $800 to $1,500 in Vietnam versus USD $3,500 to $6,500 in Australia. A porcelain veneer costs USD $250 to $450 per tooth versus USD $1,200 to $2,500 back home. For digital nomads watching their budget, this makes Vietnam one of the most cost-effective places in the world for comprehensive dental care.

Healthcare Access & Insurance

Vietnam does not require proof of health or travel insurance to enter the country. However, having insurance is strongly recommended for any international visitor.

Standard travel insurance policies cover emergency medical treatment but typically exclude elective dental procedures. If you are visiting specifically for dental work, your treatment costs will almost certainly be out-of-pocket. The good news is that even without insurance, Vietnamese dental prices are so much lower than Western rates that the total cost (treatment plus flights and accommodation) is usually less than the cost of treatment alone at home.

For digital nomads and long-stay visitors, international health insurance from providers like SafetyWing, World Nomads, or Cigna Global offers broader coverage including outpatient medical care, hospital stays, and sometimes dental emergencies. Private hospitals like Vinmec, FV Hospital, and Hoan My accept most international insurance plans and provide itemised English-language invoices for reimbursement claims.

Extending Your Stay

E-visas generally cannot be extended while you are inside Vietnam. If you need to stay beyond your visa's validity, the most common approach is a "border run": you exit Vietnam (a short flight to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, or Singapore, or a land crossing to Cambodia or Laos), then re-enter with a new e-visa that you applied for before your departure.

Some sponsored visa types, such as business visas (DN category) or work visas, can be extended with the assistance of a Vietnamese employer or sponsor. These are not relevant for most dental tourists but may apply to digital nomads who take on local employment.

For the 45-day visa-free entry, extensions are generally not available. If you anticipate needing more than 45 days, apply for a 90-day e-visa before you travel.

Practical Entry Checklist

Tax Considerations for Long-Stay Visitors

If you are staying in Vietnam for a short dental trip or holiday (under 183 days per year), you are not considered a tax resident and have no Vietnamese tax obligations on your income.

Digital nomads and long-stay visitors who spend more than 183 days in Vietnam within a calendar year may be deemed tax residents. This means your worldwide income could be subject to Vietnamese income tax. Vietnam's personal income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 5% to 35% depending on income level.

There is also the question of tax obligations in your home country. Many countries (including Australia, the UK, and the US) tax their citizens or residents on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Double taxation agreements exist between Vietnam and many countries to prevent you from being taxed twice on the same income, but the rules are complex.

Tax between countries is genuinely complicated. If you are planning to work remotely from Vietnam for more than a few months, consult a qualified tax advisor who understands both Vietnamese and your home country's tax laws. Getting this right upfront will save you significant headaches later.

Frequently Asked Questions