Entering Vietnam via Phu Quoc: the 30-day exemption and the rules around it

Law 51/2019/QH14, passed on 25 November 2019 and in force from 1 July 2020, amended the law on foreigners' entry, exit, transit and residence. It added a visa exemption for foreigners entering a coastal economic zone chosen by the Government that has an international airport, its own separate space and a defined boundary cut off from the mainland. The same law grants people entering on this basis temporary residence of 30 days.

Government Resolution 80/NQ-CP of 25 May 2020 applied that exemption to Phu Quoc, then described as the "Phu Quoc economic zone, Kien Giang", with effect from 1 July 2020. An earlier exemption under Decision 80/2013/QD-TTg had applied since 10 March 2014; it is history now and should not be quoted as the current rule.

The exemption covers the island and nothing else. Decree 75/2020/ND-CP provides that a foreigner who entered visa-free in this way and needs to go elsewhere in Vietnam applies for a visa at the immigration authority through an agency, organisation or individual in Vietnam that invites or sponsors them. Vietnam Airlines' guide mentions that local visa agencies and immigration officers on the island offer this service. We found no provision for extending the 30-day exemption itself; the route described in the decree is a visa application.

The simpler course, if you already know your trip includes the mainland, is to arrive with a visa or an e-visa, or to qualify under one of the nationwide exemptions below.

Three national rules matter alongside the island exemption. Since 15 August 2023, under Resolution 127/NQ-CP, e-visas are issued to citizens of all countries and territories, for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. The list of entry points for e-visa holders includes Phu Quoc International Airport and Duong Dong port, so an e-visa can be used to arrive on the island directly.

Resolution 229/NQ-CP replaced an earlier, shorter arrangement for Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Bilateral exemptions are listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; we did not verify the number of days country by country, so check that list for your passport. The official e-visa portal is evisa.gov.vn.

• Your passport is valid for at least six months from the day you arrive.
• Your route: a direct international flight or sea arrival on Phu Quoc, or an airside transit only.
• You hold a ticket leaving Phu Quoc within 30 days.
• Whether your nationality is on a 45-day list or a bilateral list, which would allow mainland travel too.
• If the mainland is in your plan, apply for an e-visa on the official portal before you fly.
• Your airline's own document check: airlines can refuse boarding if they think your papers do not fit the route.