Vietnam Entry & Travel
Master Guide 2026
Selamat jalan-jalan! Everything you need to know about updated visa policies, flights, customs, and local survival tips for a seamless Vietnamese adventure.
CRITICAL POLICY UPDATE: 14-Day Visa-Free Limitation
Effective July 15, 2026
Vietnam has revised its visa-free policy for regular Indonesian passport holders. The maximum stay is now 14 days (reduced from 30 days) strictly for Tourism, Transit, and Family Visits. Overstaying will result in heavy daily fines, detention, and deportation records.
Visa Rules & Documentation
Tourism / Family Visit
- 1 – 14 Days: Visa-Free Entry
- 15 – 90 Days: E-Visa Required
Business / Work
- Any Duration: E-Visa or Commercial Visa required prior to entry.
Special Exemptions
- Phu Quoc Only: Up to 30 Days
- Diplomatic: Up to 30 Days
Standard E-Visa (15-90 Days)
Required for stays over 14 days, remote work, or multi-entry regional side trips.
Fees: 25 USD (Single), 50 USD (Multiple).
Time: 3 to 5 official working days.
Needs: Passport scan (6mo validity) & white-background portrait.
Emergency Expedited Visas
For imminent flights, pending applications, or weekend emergencies via private platforms.
- 8-Hour: 145 USD
- 4-Hour: 175 USD
- 2-Hour Super Rush: 200 USD
Submit before 02:30 PM (GMT+7) for same-day delivery. Starts at 230 USD.
Phu Quoc Island Special Exemption
Get 30 days visa-free IF you fly directly (or international transit) to PQC, stay exclusively on the island, and have a return ticket within 30 days.
Arrival Procedures & Fast Track
Step-by-Step Arrival Walkthrough
Health Screening
Pass through thermal scanners at the arrival terminal.
Passport Control
Present Passport + E-Visa (if staying > 14 days).
Baggage Claim & Customs
Retrieve bags and choose Green (Nothing to declare) or Red (Goods to declare) Channel.
Arrival Hall
Get SIM cards, exchange currency, and meet pickups.
VIP Fast Track
Immigration queues at SGN and HAN can take up to 2 hours. Bypass the crowds with a commercial meet-and-greet service.
- Name sign at arrival gate
- Escort through priority counters
- Live flight monitoring
Customs, Money & Connectivity
Customs Limits
- Cash: Max $5,000 USD or 15M VND without declaration.
- Alcohol: 1.5L spirits (>20%) or 2L (<20%).
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes.
- Prohibited: Ingot gold, narcotics, weapons.
Money & Exchange
100k IDR ≈ 156,700 VND
Best Rates: Downtown jewelry shops (Ha Trung St in Hanoi, near Ben Thanh in HCMC).
Tip: Bring pristine $50/$100 bills for best rates. VPBank/TPBank ATMs have low fees.
SIM Cards & Apps
- Top Network: Viettel (Best nationwide coverage).
- Price: ~95k – 190k IDR for 15 days unlimited.
- Must Apps: Grab/Xanh SM (Transport), Zalo (Local chat), Google Translate.
Power Outlets
- Voltage: 220V / 50Hz (Matches Indonesia).
- Plug Types: A, C, F.
- Status: Your Indonesian Type C/F plugs will work seamlessly without voltage transformers.
City Services & Halal Dining
Indonesian & Halal-Friendly Dining
HCMC: Visit “Halal Street” (Nguyen An Ninh St near Ben Thanh) for spots like Hj Osman.
Hanoi: Hoan Kiem District offers Zaytoon and D’Lions.
Alternative: Look for “Quán Ăn Chay” for 100% Buddhist vegetarian (no pork/lard).
Itineraries & Climate Prep
Northern Vietnam
Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Halong Bay
Peak: Oct – Apr.
Winter Warning: Dec-Feb drops to 10°C (sub-5°C in mountains). Thermal wear essential!
Central Vietnam
Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha
Peak: Jan – Aug.
Year-round warm (28°C – 35°C). Monsoon season hits hard Sep – Dec.
Southern Vietnam
HCMC, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc
Peak: Nov – Apr.
Tropical climate similar to Indonesia. Lightweight breathable cotton is ideal.
Safety & Diplomatic Support
Street Crossing
Move at a calm, steady pace. Do not make sudden backward steps. Motorcyclists judge their trajectory based on your forward momentum. Maintain visual contact.
Local Emergencies
- Police: 113
- Fire: 114
- Ambulance: 115
KBRI Hanoi (Embassy)
- 50 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem Dist.
- Tel: +84-24-3825-3353
- Hotline: +84-90-620-6996
- hanoi.kbri@kemlu.go.id
KJRI Ho Chi Minh (Consulate)
- 18 Phung Khac Khoan St, District 1.
- Tel: +84-28-3825-2360
- Hotline: +84-93-838-6959
- hochiminh.kjri@kemlu.go.id
