Vietnam: immigration

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Viet Nam issues e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, valid for up to 90 days, at US$25 for a single entry and US$50 for multiple entries, according to the Government News portal. Citizens of countries on Viet Nam's unilateral visa exemption list receive a 45-day stay on arrival.

E-visa applications are made online, and the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security handles visas and residence documents for foreigners. Travellers should check the current list of exempt countries before travel.

Official sources: Government News: Understanding Viet Nam's e-visa · Immigration Department

How many tourists visit Vietnam?

17.7 million international visitors arrived in Viet Nam in the first nine months of 2026, 14.5% more than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. 14.7 million came by air.

The government's target is 25 million international visitors in 2026. The NSO says arrivals in the nine months reached about 71% of that, so at least 2.4 million arrivals a month are needed in the last three months, according to its highlights report. Visitors from Europe rose 55.0%.

Official sources: NSO: Socio-economic performance infographic, Q3 and first 9 months of 2026 (PDF) · NSO: Highlights of the socio-economic situation, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX)

How many refugees and stateless people are in Vietnam?

Viet Nam had 25,177 stateless people and 13 refugees at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. No asylum seekers were recorded.

The stateless figure rose from 20,590 at the end of 2024. Stateless people are not recognised as nationals by any country, which can limit access to documents and services. UNHCR publishes the figures on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Viet Nam as asylum country (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many Vietnamese seek asylum abroad?

20,636 Vietnamese refugees and 19,253 Vietnamese asylum seekers were recorded abroad at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. The United States had the most pending Vietnamese asylum claims, 8,401, according to UNHCR data by host country.

France hosted the most Vietnamese refugees, 7,589, followed by the United Kingdom with 4,854. Asylum seekers are waiting for a decision on their claims; refugees have been recognised. The figures do not include Vietnamese who move abroad for work or study.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for Viet Nam as origin country (API) · UNHCR: Vietnamese refugees and asylum seekers by host country (API)

Are more people leaving Vietnam than arriving?

Viet Nam's net migration was −48,171 people in 2025, meaning more people left than arrived, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. It was −59,645 in 2024.

Net migration is small relative to a population of more than 101 million. Much emigration is for work: a National Statistics Office report finds that Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan are the main destinations for Vietnamese workers going abroad. The World Bank figure is a modelled estimate.

Official sources: World Bank: net migration, Viet Nam · NSO: costs borne by Vietnamese workers for employment abroad (PDF)

What share of Vietnam's population are immigrants?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Vietnam was 0.3%, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 0.1% in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and Vietnam placed 23rd highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 179th highest.

What is net migration in Vietnam?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Vietnam at -48,171 in 2025. The peak was 571,113 in 2008 and the low -208,337 in 2005. It is 28th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -373. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 171st highest.

How many refugees does Vietnam host?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Vietnam was 13 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 2,357; its low point was 2012, at 0. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 631, and Vietnam placed 13th highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 153rd of 169.

How many refugees come from Vietnam?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 20,636. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 374,278; its low point was 2022, at 17,507. It is 3rd highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 73. Worldwide: 46th of 189.