The first thing you'll worry about for a Vietnam trip is the visa. To put the conclusion first, Japanese nationals don't need a visa for tourism within 45 days. Here we organize the exemption conditions, the e-VISA for when you exceed 45 days, and what's needed on entry, in line with the latest system.
Conclusion: Japanese nationals don't need a visa up to 45 days
Travelers holding a Japanese passport don't need to obtain a visa for a stay of 45 days or less for tourism. This is due to the Vietnamese government's visa exemption measure, applied from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028. Stays exceeding 45 days, work, and the like are outside this scope.
The Digital Arrival Card required before entry
Even without a visa, from April 15, 2026, the "Digital Arrival Card" began operating at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Japanese entering under the 45-day visa exemption are subject to it too. From 72 hours before arrival until before departure, you declare passport information, flight number, accommodation, and so on online, and present the issued QR code at immigration.
| Operation started | From April 15, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Applicable airports | Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) *planned to expand to land and sea routes going forward |
| Eligible | Foreign travelers, including the visa-exempt and e-VISA holders |
| Declaration deadline | From 72 hours before arrival until before departure |
| Cost | Free (no need to enter credit-card information) |
- A procedure separate from the visa—not a replacement for the visa exemption or e-VISA, but a declaration done in parallel with them
- Flow—declare on the official portal → a QR code arrives by email → present it at immigration on your phone screen or as a printed paper
- Entry isn't refused even if undeclared—but the inspection wait time is greatly extended, so advance declaration gives peace of mind
- Beware of fake sites—registration is free. Beware of sites and agents that ask for fees or card information
The concrete steps for declaring, the official portal, and the latest scope are explained in detail in this article.
Conditions for entering under the visa exemption
- A stay of 45 days or less—leave the country within 45 days counting from the entry date
- Holding a departure ticket—a round-trip air ticket to leave within 45 days, or an air ticket to a third country
- Remaining passport validity—6 months or more at the time of entry is the guide
- Tourism / short-term purpose—work and long-term stays require a different residence status
The e-VISA for when you exceed 45 days or don't meet the conditions
If you want to stay beyond 45 days, or plan to enter and exit repeatedly, consider the e-VISA (electronic visa). The e-VISA is an electronic visa applied for online, with a maximum of 90 days and a choice of single/multiple entry. You apply on the official site of Vietnam Immigration, uploading a facial photo and a copy of your passport and paying the fee.
| Tourism within 45 days | No visa required (exempt) |
|---|---|
| Over 45 days to 90 days | e-VISA (up to 90 days) |
| Multiple entries and exits | Consider the e-VISA (multiple entry) |
| Work / long-term stay | A separate visa or residence status is required |
For counting, the entry day is day one, and leaving by day 45 is within the exemption. For example, if you enter on June 1, you need to leave by July 15. Babies and children each need their own passport, and the exemption is treated the same as for adults.
The e-VISA application flow and costs
You can apply for the e-VISA yourself without going through a travel agency. The cost is low and the timeframe is short, so those staying beyond 45 days or planning multiple entries gain peace of mind by completing the procedure early.
| Where to apply | The official site of Vietnam Immigration (evisa.gov.vn) |
|---|---|
| Fee guide | Single (single entry) 25 US dollars / multiple (multiple entry) 50 US dollars |
| Days until issuance | Usually about 3 business days. Avoid last-minute applications and allow time |
| Stay / number of entries | Up to 90 days. You can choose single/multiple entry |
- Fill in the application form on the official site (passport information, planned entry date, accommodation)
- Upload images of your facial photo and passport photo page
- Pay the fee online
- The result arrives by email in about 3 business days, so print the approved e-VISA and bring it with you
Beware of fake sites and expensive agents, and be sure to apply from the official domain (evisa.gov.vn).
What to prepare on entry
- Passport (6 months or more remaining is the guide)
- Departure ticket (round-trip within 45 days or to a third country)
- Accommodation (hotel) information
- When using the e-VISA, a copy of the approved electronic visa (printing recommended)
Points to note
- Immigration systems and exemption periods can change, so check the latest information at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan or the e-VISA official site before departure
- Because the visa exemption is counted as "45 days from the entry date," plan with room so your departure date doesn't exceed it
- Rules can differ in cases such as re-entering by land from a neighboring country
Frequently asked questions
- Do Japanese need a visa for tourism in Vietnam?
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For tourism within 45 days, no visa is required. A visa exemption measure for Japanese nationals is applied from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028. If you exceed 45 days, an e-VISA or the like is required.
- What are the conditions for the visa exemption?
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A stay of 45 days or less for a short-term purpose such as tourism, holding an air ticket to leave within 45 days, and having sufficient remaining passport validity (6 months or more is the guide).
- Where do I apply for the e-VISA?
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You apply on the official online site of Vietnam Immigration. Upload a facial photo and a copy of your passport and pay the fee, and after review the electronic visa is issued. You can stay up to 90 days.
- Will the system stay the same going forward?
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The visa exemption and the number of days can change with government policy. Be sure to check the latest rules at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan or the official site before departure.
- Is the Digital Arrival Card required before entry?
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Operation began at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15, 2026, and Japanese entering under the 45-day visa exemption are subject to it too. You declare online from 72 hours before arrival until before departure and present the QR code at immigration. Entry isn't refused even if undeclared, but since the inspection wait time is extended, advance declaration is recommended.
Preparing your first moves after entry all together makes things smoother.
