Vietnam has, at various points, offered short-term visa exemptions to UK and Australian citizens, alongside the standard e-visa option available more broadly — but exemption lists, eligible countries and permitted stay lengths change periodically, so this page is a starting overview rather than a final answer.

Two possible routes

Depending on current policy, UK and Australian citizens may be eligible either for a short-stay visa exemption (allowing visa-free entry for a limited number of days) or may need to apply for Vietnam's e-visa in advance, which generally allows a longer stay and is available regardless of any exemption status.

Check before you book: Because exemption terms specifically for UK and Australian travellers have changed in the past, always verify current rules on Vietnam's official immigration or e-visa government website, or through your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, close to your travel date — not from this page or any other third-party source alone.

If applying for the e-visa

The process is the same regardless of nationality: apply online with a passport scan and photo, pay the fee, and receive approval by email within a few business days. This route is worth considering even if you're eligible for a visa exemption, if your planned stay is longer than the exemption period allows.

At the airport

Whichever route applies, have your passport and any required approval documents ready for immigration on arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Possible routesShort-stay exemption (if currently eligible) or e-visa
Always verifyCurrent exemption status and e-visa rules officially
If staying longerThe e-visa is worth applying for regardless of exemption status