Citizens of 24 countries, most of them European, plus Japan and South Korea, can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Everyone else, and anyone who wants longer, can apply for an e-visa of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, for 25 USD (single) or 50 USD (multiple). Liên Khương, the Da Lat airport about 20 km from Nam Ban, accepts e-visa arrivals.
Wherever you stay — hotel, homestay or a rented house — the host must register your temporary residence with the police within 12 hours. Vietnam has no retirement visa and no digital-nomad visa. Rules change: confirm on the official portal evisa.gov.vn before you book.
People who come to Nam Ban for a month or three usually ask the same four questions: do I need a visa, how long can I stay, can I extend, and what paperwork does the house I rent need. This page answers those, with the law behind each answer and the date we checked it: 2 October 2026.
Which countries can enter Vietnam without a visa, and for how long?
45 days — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland (Government Resolution 44/NQ-CP, 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028).
45 days for tourism — Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland (Government Resolution 229/NQ-CP, 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028).
Most ASEAN countries have their own visa-free periods under separate agreements. Citizens of the United States, Australia and Canada are not on either list above and need a visa — in practice, the e-visa.
How long is a Vietnam e-visa, and how much does it cost?
Since 15 August 2023 the e-visa is open to citizens of every country and can be issued for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. From 1 April 2026 the fee is 25 USD for a single-entry visa and 50 USD for a multiple-entry visa of up to 90 days (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC).
Apply only on the government portal, evisa.gov.vn. Many look-alike sites charge several times the fee for the same form. Processing is usually about three working days; apply well before your flight.
Can you fly into Da Lat on an e-visa?
Yes. Liên Khương Airport, which serves Da Lat, is on the list of airports where foreigners may enter on an e-visa. The airport reopened on 19 August 2026, and the first scheduled international flight after reopening was AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur on 2 September 2026. Since 2 December 2025, 83 border gates across Vietnam accept e-visa arrivals (Government Resolution 389/NQ-CP).
From the airport to Nam Ban is about 20 km, 35 to 45 minutes by road.
What if you want to stay longer than your visa?
Extending a stay from inside Vietnam generally has to go through an agency, organisation or individual in Vietnam that sponsors you (Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, Article 35). There is no retirement visa and no digital-nomad visa. A tourist visa or e-visa is not a work permit.
Most people who want three months simply apply for a 90-day e-visa before they arrive. If you need longer, plan the next visa before the current one runs out rather than counting on an extension.
Who registers your temporary residence when you rent a house?
The host does. Under Article 33 of the same law, the person running the place where a foreigner stays — including a private house — must declare the stay to the local police within 12 hours of arrival (24 hours in remote areas), online or on a paper form. Keep your passport handy on the first day.
Since 15 December 2025, a host who fails to declare one to three foreign guests can be fined 3–5 million VND (Decree 282/2025/ND-CP). If an owner hesitates when you ask about registration, take that as information about the rental.
What happens if you overstay?
Fines rise with the number of days. Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, overstaying 16 to 30 days carries a fine of 5–10 million VND, and more than 180 days 30–40 million VND; serious cases can lead to deportation. Overstaying also makes the next visa harder.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?
Up to 45 days if you hold a passport from one of 24 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland (Resolution 44/NQ-CP, to 14 March 2028), plus Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland for tourism (Resolution 229/NQ-CP, to 14 August 2028).
Can I stay 3 months near Da Lat?
Yes, with a 90-day e-visa, which every nationality can apply for on evisa.gov.vn. The fee from 1 April 2026 is 25 USD single entry or 50 USD multiple entry.
Is there a retirement visa in Vietnam?
No. Vietnam has no retirement visa and no digital-nomad visa. Long stays are usually done on a 90-day e-visa, or on other visa types that need a sponsor in Vietnam.
Can I extend my e-visa inside Vietnam?
Generally only through a sponsoring agency, organisation or individual in Vietnam. Most people apply for a new visa instead; plan it before the current one ends.
Can I enter at Da Lat (Lien Khuong) airport on an e-visa?
Yes. Liên Khương is an e-visa port of entry. It reopened on 19 August 2026, and Nam Ban is about 20 km away, 35 to 45 minutes by road.
Who registers my temporary residence if I rent a house?
The host, within 12 hours of your arrival (24 hours in remote areas). A host who does not register one to three foreign guests can be fined 3–5 million VND from 15 December 2025.
Sources & note
Visa exemption: Government Resolutions 44/NQ-CP (2025) and 229/NQ-CP (2025). E-visa for all nationalities and up to 90 days: Law 23/2023/QH15 and Resolution 127/NQ-CP (2023). Fees: Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, in force from 1 April 2026. E-visa border gates: Resolution 389/NQ-CP (2025). Registration and extension: Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, Articles 33 and 35. Fines: Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, in force from 15 December 2025. Airport: Namban Panorama's reporting on Liên Khương.
Checked on 2 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules change; confirm on evisa.gov.vn or with a Vietnamese embassy before you travel.