Are you planning a long-haul trip to Europe or Southeast Asia with a few hours of layover in Vietnam? Preparing for a cruise with a short port call in Vietnam? Or perhaps you want to take advantage of your layover to enter the city, enjoy an authentic bowl of Pho, and explore the night markets before continuing your journey?
Taiwanese passports are not currently included in Vietnam’s visa-exemption list. Therefore, clarifying whether you need a transit visa is the most critical step to ensuring a seamless journey. This 2026 updated guide, written from the perspective of a Taiwanese traveler, breaks down everything you need to know about transiting in Vietnam—from required documents and application processes to fee comparisons.
📌 What is a Vietnam Transit Visa? A Vietnam transit visa is a legal entry permit allowing foreign travelers to stay briefly in Vietnam while en route to their final destination. Unlike a standard tourist visa, it is designed for travelers who do not intend to stay for a long time but need to exit the transit area due to transport connections.
You need to pay attention to transit visa regulations in the following situations:
- Traveling on international flights and transiting through airports like Noi Bai International (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International (Ho Chi Minh City), or Da Nang International Airport, while waiting for a connecting flight.
- Traveling on international cruise ships that dock at Vietnamese ports (such as Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, or Nha Trang) before continuing the voyage.
- Wishing to leave the airport/port restricted area during transit to enter the city for sightseeing, accommodation, or visiting relatives.
💡 In short: If you intend to pass through immigration checkpoints, leave the transit zone, or stay in Vietnam for more than 24 hours, you must obtain a visa (or E-visa) in advance.
If you remain within the airport’s international transit area, do not go through immigration, and do not leave the transit zone, you generally do not need a visa.
🧐 Decision Guide: Do Taiwanese travelers need a visa for transit in 2026? The key to determining if a visa is required is not the length of your stay, but whether you pass through Vietnam’s immigration checkpoints.
Please refer to the table below based on your itinerary:
| Transit Situation | Do you need a visa? | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transit under 24 hours, remaining in the international transit area | ❌ No | Confirm if luggage is checked through and if the next boarding pass is obtained. |
| Luggage checked through from origin to final destination | ❌ No | Usually applies to the same airline or alliance; verify before departure. |
| Transit time exceeding 24 hours | ✅ Yes | Staying over 24 hours disqualifies you from visa-free transit. |
| Plan to leave the airport (sightseeing, hotel, visiting friends) | ✅ Yes | Once you step out of the international transit zone, a visa is mandatory. |
| Changing airports during transit (e.g., Noi Bai to domestic terminal) | ✅ Yes | This counts as a formal entry; a visa is unavoidable. |
| Re-checking luggage with no through-check agreement | ✅ Yes | You must clear immigration to retrieve/re-check baggage. |
| Cruise ship passenger planning to go ashore | ✅ Yes | Taiwanese passport holders need a visa regardless of duration. |
📞 Not sure if your transit process requires a visa? We recommend checking with your airline regarding luggage handling and immigration requirements before booking or departing. We also offer professional consultation; feel free to contact us via the links at the bottom of the page!
🆓 Which travelers are exempt from a Vietnamese transit visa? (Taiwan is not included) The Vietnamese government offers visa-free access to citizens of certain countries, but unfortunately, holders of standard Taiwan (ROC) passports are not on this list.
Below are the countries unilaterally exempted from visas as of 2026:
| Stay Duration | Visa-Exempt Countries/Regions |
|---|---|
| 90 Days | Chile, Panama |
| 45 Days | Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK |
| 30 Days | Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Singapore, Thailand |
| 21 Days | Philippines |
| 14 Days | Brunei, Myanmar |
⚠️ Taiwanese passports are not on this list. Whether for pure transit, business, tourism, or stepping out during a layover, you must apply for a visa before departure.
Additionally, travelers holding a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) can enjoy visa-free entry to Vietnam for stays of up to 60 days.
✈️ Vietnam E-visa: The Best Solution for Taiwanese Transit Travelers The good news is that since August 2023, the Vietnamese government has opened E-visa applications to citizens of all countries and regions, including Taiwan! The E-visa covers tourism, business, and transit, making it the most mainstream and convenient option for Taiwanese travelers.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | E-visa |
| Validity | Up to 90 days |
| Stay Duration | Up to 90 days per entry |
| Entry Frequency | Single or Multiple entry options |
| Application | Online, completed entirely from home |
| Applicable Ports | 83 international entry ports (airports, land borders, seaports) |
💡 Why recommend the E-visa for transiting Taiwanese travelers? If you apply for a single-entry E-visa, it is used upon your arrival and exit. Given the 90-day validity, it is more than sufficient for transit needs. If your itinerary involves entering and exiting Vietnam multiple times, you can apply for the multiple-entry version to save the hassle of repeated applications.
📋 Required Documents for Vietnam Transit E-visa (Taiwanese Travelers) Ensure you have the following ready before applying:
| Required Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport Validity | At least 6 months remaining, with at least 2 blank visa pages. |
| Passport Scan | Clear electronic copy of the information page; no glare, all four corners visible. |
| ID Photo | Recent color photo (within 6 months), 4×6 cm, white background, front-facing, no glasses, no face covering. |
| Onward Ticket | Proof of departure from Vietnam to a third country. |
| Destination Visa | If your final destination requires a visa for Taiwan passports (e.g., Australia ETA, US ESTA), have it ready. |
📌 Tip for E-visa applications: The form requires a “Temporary Residential Address in Vietnam.” If you are just transiting without staying overnight, enter the airport name and add a note: “Transit Layover.” If you have booked an airport transit hotel, provide the hotel name and address.
📝 Vietnam Transit E-visa Application Process (6 Easy Steps) No need to visit an embassy; apply online from home.
- Check Eligibility: Confirm your passport meets the requirements.
- Prepare Documents: Have your passport scan and digital photo ready.
- Fill Out Online Form: Visit our application system: 👉 https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/
- Upload Documents: Upload your scanned passport and photo.
- Review & Pay: Double-check all information (name, passport number). Pay the fee (Single entry USD 25 / Multiple entry USD 50).
- Receive & Print: Once approved (3–5 working days), you will receive the E-visa via email. Print it out and present it at the “E-Visa Dedicated Lane.”
💰 Vietnam Visa Fee Comparison (Taiwanese Travelers)
| Visa Type | Government Fee (Approx.) | All-Inclusive Agency Price (Includes Fee + Service) | Express Service (As fast as) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa Single Entry | USD $25 | Varies by service level | 1-2 Hours |
| E-visa Multiple Entry | USD $50 | Varies by service level | 1-2 Hours |
Vietnam E-visa Agency Service Fee Reference:
| Processing Time | 1-Month Single | 1-Month Multiple | 3-Month Single | 3-Month Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Working Days | USD $70 | USD $100 | USD $90 | USD $120 |
| 3 Working Days | USD $90 | USD $120 | USD $110 | USD $140 |
| 2 Working Days | USD $110 | USD $140 | USD $130 | USD $160 |
| 1 Working Day | USD $150 | USD $180 | USD $170 | USD $200 |
| 4 Hours | USD $180 | USD $220 | USD $210 | USD $240 |
Visa on Arrival (VOA) Details: For urgent needs, you may use VOA (Limited to international airports).
| Visa Type | Approval Letter Fee | Airport Stamping Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Month Single | USD $45 | USD $25 |
| 1-Month Multiple | USD $50 | USD $50 |
🚢 Cruise Transit/Transfer Special Notes
- Transit Visa: Specialized transit visas for cruise passengers are valid for single entry, up to 15 days.
- Mandatory Even if Staying on Ship: If the ship enters Vietnamese waters, you need a visa even if you do not go ashore.
- Passport Pages: Ensure at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker and stamps.
- Fee: As of April 2026, the transit visa fee for air and sea passengers is USD 5 per person. Check if your cruise company includes this in your ticket.
🚨 Major 2026 Vietnam Entry Regulation (Effective April 15) From April 15, 2026, all foreign travelers entering through Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) must complete a pre-arrival electronic declaration and present the QR code at customs.
- Impact: Only applies to those clearing immigration. If you stay in the transit zone, you do not need this.
- Link: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn (Complete within 72 hours of arrival).
🏝️ Phu Quoc Transit/Transfer Rules
- Direct Flight: Visa-free for up to 30 days if flying directly to Phu Quoc from abroad.
- Domestic Transfer: If you land at another Vietnamese airport first, you are NOT eligible for this exemption and must apply for an E-visa beforehand.
⚠️ Important Tips
- Check with Airlines: Confirm luggage through-checking and terminal transfer requirements.
- Passport Validity: Must have at least 6 months left.
- No On-Arrival Transit Visa: You cannot apply for a transit visa at the airport; it must be done in advance.
- Stay Updated: Regulations can change; check the official site before travel.
- Back up your Visa: Keep digital and at least two physical copies.
📞 Need Assistance? We provide a one-stop visa service from document review to progress tracking. 🔹 Apply for E-visa: 👉 https://www.vietnam-visa.tw/apply/ 🔹 Official Website: https://www.vietnam-visa.tw 🔹 Visa Consultation: Contact us via our website’s customer service system!
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