Vietnam Visa for French Citizens: 45-Day Exemption, E-Visa and Long-Stay Visas (2026)

Thinking about moving to Vietnam or staying there for several months? The visa question is probably one of your first concerns. And rightly so: choosing the right Vietnam visa as a French citizen can make all the difference between a smooth move and costly administrative complications.

The good news: as a French citizen, you have favorable options for entering and living in Vietnam. But between the visa exemption, the e-visa, the standard tourist visa and the long-term visas (DT, DN, LD), it's easy to get lost. This guide gives a 2026 overview of the different visa types, their official fees, their durations, the procedures and the pitfalls to avoid. For the step-by-step process and what to do in an emergency, see also our guide on how to apply for a Vietnam visa.

Whether you simply want to travel for a few weeks or move to Vietnam for good, you'll find concrete answers to your questions here. Get your passport ready; here's everything you need to know.

01Vietnam Visa Exemption for French Citizens: 45 Days, No Paperwork

Since August 15, 2023, French nationals have been exempt from visas for a stay of up to 45 days (including the days of entry and exit), whatever their passport type and the purpose of the stay. This exemption was renewed from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028 by Resolution 44/NQ-CP, and multiple entries are possible, with each stay limited to 45 days (France Diplomatie, page updated on September 15, 2026). It's the ideal option for a first scouting trip or a short vacation.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this exemption:

• Hold a French passport valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into Vietnam
• Be able to show, if the airline or immigration asks, a ticket out of the country within 45 days
• Have no history of being banned from Vietnam

No online application is needed. You simply present your passport at immigration when you arrive at the airport (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc.). The entry stamp is free.

Important Limitations

Good to know: the 45-day exemption cannot be extended in the country. If you go beyond this period, you'll have to leave and come back, or have obtained a visa before arriving. Repeated entries and exits to string visa-free stays together can attract the attention of immigration, which remains free to refuse entry.

This exemption is perfect for trying out the country before committing, but if you're planning to live in Vietnam for longer, you'll need an official visa.

02Vietnam E-Visa: The Practical Solution for 90 Days

The e-visa (electronic visa) has been open to nationals of all countries since August 15, 2023. It's the simplest option for a stay of more than 45 days. It offers an excellent balance between administrative simplicity and length of stay.

Features of the 2026 E-Visa

• Maximum length: 90 days (about 3 months)
• Entries: single or multiple, chosen when you apply
• Official fees: 25 USD for a single entry, 50 USD for multiple entries (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, in force since April 1, 2026)
• Legal processing time: 3 working days after receipt of the complete application and the fees (Law 51/2019/QH14, Art. 16a)
• Validity: between the start and end dates shown on the visa, 90 days at most

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Go to the official website: evisa.gov.vn (the old address evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn is still active; every official site ends in .gov.vn)
2. Fill in the online form: personal information, planned dates of stay, address in Vietnam
3. Upload the required documents:
   • Recent passport photo (4x6 cm, white background)
   • Scan of your passport's photo page (good quality, legible)
4. Pay online with an international bank card
5. Track the application and download the e-visa on the portal with your application code (legal processing time of 3 working days)
6. Print your e-visa: you'll need to show it at immigration AND keep it throughout your stay

Tip: apply at least 2 weeks before you leave, to allow for any technical problems. Check TWICE the spelling of your name and your passport number: a mistake can invalidate your e-visa and force you to start over (and pay again).

Can You Extend an E-Visa in the Country?

No, the e-visa cannot be extended in Vietnam. If you want to stay more than 90 days, you'll have to:

• Either leave the country and apply again
• Or obtain a long-term visa (DT, DN, LĐ) sponsored by a Vietnamese company or organization

According to France Diplomatie, exemptions and tourist visas cannot be extended or renewed in the country.

03Standard Tourist Visa (DL): The Alternative to the E-Visa

Although the e-visa is now the norm, the standard tourist visa (code DL) is still available from the Embassy of Vietnam in France or with an approval letter.

When to Choose This Visa

• If you don't have reliable internet access for the e-visa
• If you'd rather have your visa before you leave (peace of mind)
• If you're traveling with an organized group that handles the paperwork

Consular fees are set by the embassy: check them on its website before submitting your application.

Procedure Through the Embassy of Vietnam in France

Embassy of Vietnam in Paris: 62 rue Boileau, 75016 Paris, official website vnembassy-paris.mofa.gov.vn. Consular formalities may be handled at a different address: check it on the embassy's website before you go.

You'll need to provide:

• Completed application form
• Original passport (at least 6 months' validity)
• 2 passport photos
• Consular fees (cash or check, depending on the embassy)
• Processing time: check with the consular section

Frankly, unless you live near the embassy, the e-visa is much more convenient and cheaper.

04Long-Term Visas for Expats: DT, DN and LD

If you plan to live in Vietnam for several months or years, short-term visas won't be enough. You'll need a long-term visa, usually combined with a temporary residence card (TRC).

DT Visa (Đầu tư): For Investors

The DT visa is for entrepreneurs and investors who set up a company in Vietnam or invest significant capital there.

Features:

• Duration: 1 to 5 years (renewable)
• Requirements: investment in a Vietnamese company; the category (DT1 to DT4) depends on the amount invested, with DT4 covering investments of less than 3 billion VND
• Associated temporary residence card (TRC)
• Allows you to work legally

Approximate cost: 2,000 to 5,000 USD for the whole process (company setup + visa + TRC), depending on complexity.

LD Visa (Lao động): For Employees

The LD (LĐ) visa is the one for expats who hold a job in Vietnam. It requires a work permit (or an exemption certificate) and an employer who sponsors you.

Features:

• Duration: up to 2 years (Law 51/2019/QH14), aligned with the work permit
• Requirements: an employment contract with a company registered in Vietnam, work permit mandatory
• Allows multiple entries and exits
• Renewable, gives access to the temporary residence card (TRC)

Procedure:

1. Your Vietnamese employer applies for a work permit with the labor authorities
2. Once the permit is issued, an invitation letter (approval letter) is requested
3. You get the LD visa at the embassy or on arrival
4. Application for a temporary residence card (TRC)

Cost: 500 to 1,500 USD (usually covered by the employer).

DN Visa (Doanh nghiệp): For Business Relations

The DN visa covers foreigners who come to work with a Vietnamese company (meetings, prospecting, negotiations) without holding a job there.

Features:

• Duration: 12 months maximum (Law 51/2019/QH14)
• Requirements: an invitation from a Vietnamese company
• Doesn't replace a work permit if you hold a job in Vietnam
• Doesn't give access to the temporary residence card

Good to know: if you're a freelancer or digital nomad and want to stay in Vietnam legally over the long term, one possible route is to set up a company in Vietnam to obtain a DT visa. The process is long: get advice from a lawyer or a licensed firm.

05Comparison of Vietnam Visas for French Citizens in 2026

06Temporary Residence Card (TRC): The Expat's Golden Ticket

The Temporary Residence Card is the document that turns your long-term visa into genuine resident status. It offers considerable advantages.

Benefits of the TRC

• Administrative stability: no more worrying about frequent renewals
• Easier bank account opening: essential for managing your budget in Vietnam
• Signing long-term leases: landlords prefer tenants with a TRC
• Vietnamese driver's license: only available with a TRC
• Access to certain services reserved for residents

How to Get One

The TRC is obtained after arriving in Vietnam, within 30 days of entering on a long-term visa (DT, LD, TT). Your sponsor (employer or company) must apply to the Immigration Department.

Required documents:

• Original passport
• Valid long-term visa
• Vietnamese medical certificate (mandatory medical exam)
• French criminal record extract (translated and legalized)
• 4 passport photos
• Completed application form
• Official fees: 145 USD up to 2 years, 155 USD from 2 to 5 years (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC)

Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks.

Good to know: the medical exam generally includes a blood test, a chest X-ray and a general check-up. It must be done at an approved facility: ask your sponsor or the immigration office for the list.

07Pitfalls to Avoid and Common Mistakes

Here are the most frequent, and often costly, visa mistakes.

1. Confusing Visa Validity with the Authorized Length of Stay

Your e-visa is valid between two specific dates. If you enter 30 days after the start date, you can only stay until the end date written on the visa, not 90 more days.

2. Letting Your Visa Expire Through Carelessness

Overstaying your visa leads to heavy fines:

• 1-15 days: 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND (18-74€)
• 16-30 days: 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND (111-185€)
• More than 30 days: up to 10,000,000 VND (370€) + possible deportation and ban from the country

These fines double if you're caught before coming forward voluntarily.

3. Using Fraudulent E-Visa Websites

Many websites imitate the official portal and charge far more than the official fees (25 USD for a single entry, 50 USD for multiple entries). Always check the address: the official portal is evisa.gov.vn, and every official site ends in .gov.vn. Our comparison of the official site vs a private service explains how to spot them.

4. Overlooking Your Passport's Validity

Vietnam requires at least 6 months of validity on your passport from your date of entry. If your passport expires in 5 months, you'll be turned away at immigration, even with a valid visa.

5. Trying Repeated "Visa Runs"

Some expats think they can stay in Vietnam indefinitely by leaving every 45 days (exemption) or 90 days (e-visa). Immigration can refuse entry to a traveler whose back-and-forth trips suggest de facto residence. If you want to live in Vietnam, get a legal long-term visa.

08Renewals and Changing Your Visa Status

A frequent question: can you change visa type without leaving Vietnam?

Switching from a Short-Term to a Long-Term Visa

Yes, it's possible but complicated. You can switch from an e-visa or tourist visa to an LD or DT visa if you find a sponsor (an employer or by setting up a company) during your stay. The procedure:

1. Your sponsor applies to immigration for a change of status
2. You receive a change authorization
3. Your current visa is canceled and replaced by the new one
4. Time and cost: vary depending on the visa type and the sponsor

This option saves you from having to leave the country, but it depends entirely on the sponsor.

Renewing Long-Term Visas

DT, DN and LD visas can be renewed before they expire. Your sponsor must start the procedure at least 30 days before the deadline. The official fees are those of the new visa or the new residence card (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC).

Tip: never let your employer "forget" to renew your visa. If your visa expires, you're in an irregular situation, even if you're working legally. Track the dates yourself and remind your sponsor 45 days before expiry.

09Special Cases: Spouses, Children, Retirees

Visa for an Expat's Spouse

If your spouse obtains an LD (work) or DT (investor) visa, you can apply for a TT visa (thân thích) as a dependent. This visa:

• Has the same duration as the sponsor's visa
• Doesn't allow you to work legally (unless you get a separate work permit)
• Costs around 200-400 USD
• Requires a translated and legalized marriage certificate

Visa for Minor Children

Children under 14 of a long-term visa holder can get a TT (family member) visa, with an official fee of 25 USD regardless of duration (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC). From age 14, the standard rate applies.

Visa for French Retirees

Bad news: Vietnam has no specific retirement visa like Thailand does. French retirees generally use:

• The 90-day e-visa with regular exits (every 3 months)
• A DT visa by setting up a micro-company in Vietnam (minimum investment)
• A TT visa if their spouse works in Vietnam

The first option is exhausting in the long run. The second is more stable but requires a legal structure that should be validated by a lawyer or a licensed firm. See also our guide to retiring in Vietnam.

10Practical Tips for a Smooth Move

Beyond the purely administrative side, here are a few practical tips.

Start Your Paperwork Well in Advance

Start preparing your visa file 2 to 3 months before you leave. Some documents (criminal record, legalized certificates) take several weeks to obtain.

Always Keep Digital Copies

Scan all your important documents (passport, visa, TRC, work permit) and store them in a secure cloud. If they're lost or stolen, you'll save valuable time.

Learn a Few Words of Vietnamese

Immigration officers and civil servants appreciate foreigners who make the effort to speak Vietnamese, even basic Vietnamese. A simple "Xin chào" (hello) and "Cảm ơn" (thank you) can make your interactions easier.

Check the Rules Before Every Trip

Visa rules change regularly in Vietnam. Check the France Diplomatie page and the evisa.gov.vn portal before each departure. If you'd rather hand off the e-visa application, visa-vietnam.app (a private service; visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site) can do it for you; its fees come on top of the official fees, which you can also pay yourself on evisa.gov.vn.

Plan Your Visa Budget Ahead of Time

Visa and residence fees represent a significant upfront investment (500 to 5,000 USD depending on your situation). Include these costs in your overall moving budget to avoid unpleasant surprises.

11Official Resources and Useful Contacts

For up-to-date information, always check the official sources:

In France:

• Embassy of Vietnam in France: vnembassy-paris.mofa.gov.vn
• Travel advice: France Diplomatie, Vietnam: entry and stay

In Vietnam:

• Immigration Department: xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
• Official e-visa: evisa.gov.vn
• Embassy of France in Vietnam (Hanoi): +84 24 3944 5700
• Consulate of France in Ho Chi Minh City: +84 28 3520 6800

In Da Nang:

• Da Nang Immigration Office: 7-9 Trần Quốc Toản, Hải Châu (for TRCs and renewals)
• Alliance Française de Da Nang: resources and an expat network

Tip: join the Facebook groups for French expats in Vietnam ("Français au Vietnam", "Expats Da Nang", etc.). You'll find recent first-hand accounts and practical advice there, but always double-check the information against official sources.