Vietnam Cuts Visa-Free Stay for Indonesian Travelers to 14 Days

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Indonesian citizens planning a trip to Vietnam need to check their calendars a little more carefully. The bilateral visa exemption between the two countries, previously good for stays of up to 30 days, has been shortened to 14 days.

What Changed, and From When

The Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi announced on July 6, 2026 that the bilateral visa exemption previously granted to Indonesian passport holders has been revised. Where Indonesian citizens could once stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days without a visa, the exemption now covers a maximum of 14 days per visit, effective July 15, 2026.

This is a reduction, not a removal. Indonesian travelers can still enter Vietnam without applying for a visa in advance. The only change is how long that visa-free entry lasts. For the official text, check evisa.gov.vn or consult the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi directly, since the precise legal instrument behind this bilateral change has not been published as a numbered decree at the time of writing.

For comparison, Vietnam's broader visa-free table (per the Vietnam Immigration Department) shows a range of unilateral and bilateral arrangements: Singapore (30 days, unilateral), South Korea and Japan (45 days, unilateral), Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia (30 days, bilateral), and Taiwan (15 days, unilateral). The Indonesia update brings that country's bilateral allowance closer to Vietnam's shorter-stay bilateral tier.

Who This Applies To

The 14-day exemption covers tourism and family-visit travel only. If your trip to Vietnam fits either of those categories and you're traveling on an Indonesian passport, this is the rule that applies to you.

It does not apply to business travel, work assignments, study, or any purpose outside tourism and family visits. If your visit falls into one of those categories, the visa-free exemption doesn't cover you, no matter how short your trip is.

Staying Longer or Traveling for Business? Apply for an E-Visa

If you want to stay in Vietnam longer than 14 days, or if you're traveling for business, the visa-free exemption won't work for your trip. Instead, you'll need to apply for an e-visa through the official portal at evisa.gov.vn.

Vietnam's e-visa system allows eligible nationalities, including Indonesia, to apply online, upload supporting documents, and receive an approved e-visa before departure. Processing is handled entirely through the government portal. Applying in advance means you're not relying on a 14-day window that may not fit your itinerary.

Choose the e-visa if a longer stay or business purpose matters more than the convenience of visa-free entry. The exemption is simpler for short tourism or family trips, but it's not flexible on duration or purpose.

The Pre-Arrival Form Is Still Required, Separately

Regardless of whether you enter Vietnam visa-free or on an e-visa, there's a second, unrelated requirement to plan for: the Vietnam Pre-Arrival Declaration Form.

This mandatory digital immigration form, introduced by the Vietnam Immigration Department and effective April 15, 2026, applies to all foreign passport holders arriving at Tan Son Nhat (SGN), Phu Quoc (PQC), Noi Bai/Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), and Cam Ranh/Nha Trang (CXR). It applies whether you're visa-exempt or holding an e-visa.

The form must be submitted within 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in Vietnam. It's free to complete at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn and takes about 10 minutes. After submitting, you'll receive a QR code confirmation that immigration officers scan on arrival.

A separate note on health declarations: a health declaration is not required by default. It's only activated by the Ministry of Health during an outbreak. Don't confuse this with the Pre-Arrival Form, which is a standing requirement unrelated to health status.

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