Vietnam Visa Requirements for Swiss Citizens

Planning a trip from Zürich, Geneva, Basel, or Bern, or travelling on a Swiss passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, and for a holiday you may not need a visa at all. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Swiss citizens: when you can travel visa-free, when you need a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

Swiss passport holders can generally enter Vietnam without a visa for a tourist stay of up to 45 days. For longer stays or other purposes of travel, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals before you travel.

Do Swiss Citizens Need a Visa for Vietnam?

For a holiday of up to 45 days, usually not. Vietnam has granted Swiss citizens a visa exemption under a government resolution aimed at boosting tourism. It lets you stay up to 45 days from the date you enter, as long as you travel as a tourist and meet Vietnam’s normal entry conditions. Swiss travel information describes the rule in the same way, and notes that travel documents must still be valid for at least six months when you enter, and that travellers without a visa or a return or onward ticket can be turned away.

There are two things to keep in mind. First, the exemption is for tourism, so business trips, work, and study are generally not covered, and you should apply for an e-visa in advance if your trip has another purpose. Some websites describe the exemption as covering business too, and others still mention an older condition that you had to book through a tour operator, which no longer applies, so rely on current official sources. Second, this kind of exemption is granted for a fixed period and may be renewed or changed, so confirm that it still applies when you book. Overstaying can lead to fines and entry bans.

The exemption depends on your passport nationality, not on the country where you live. If you’re a Swiss citizen living in Germany, France, Thailand, or anywhere else, travel on your Swiss passport and don’t assume that a residence permit changes the rules. A Swiss identity card is fine for many European trips but is not enough to enter Vietnam, so carry your passport. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some people of Vietnamese origin, and their spouses and children, may be eligible for a special visa exemption certificate, which has its own conditions. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for Swiss Citizens

1. Visa-free entry (tourist stays up to 45 days)

For a tourist stay within the allowance, you don’t need to apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at immigration, along with any documents the airline or officers ask for, such as your return or onward ticket and your accommodation details. When you fill in Vietnam’s online pre-arrival form, choose the visa exemption option that applies to your nationality. The visa-free stay can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so count the days carefully.

2. Vietnam e-visa (longer stays and other purposes)

If you plan to stay longer than 45 days, travel for a purpose other than tourism, or simply want more certainty, the Vietnam e-visa is the simplest route. It’s an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you fly. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. A visa on arrival is another route some travellers use, but it adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports, so we recommend the e-visa.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover. Vietnam has an embassy in Bern. Contact details and opening hours can change, so please check the embassy’s official channels before you go. For most holiday trips, the visa-free stay or the e-visa is quicker and saves you the trip.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for Swiss Citizens: How It Works

You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.

Single or multiple entry?

• Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for side trips to neighbouring countries.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready, whether you travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa:

• A valid Swiss passport in good condition, with at least two blank pages. An identity card is not accepted for entry.
• Enough validity. Your passport should be valid for at least six months on the day you enter Vietnam. If you travel on a visa, your passport should stay valid well beyond the visa’s expiry date. Confirm the exact rule before you travel.
• A return or onward ticket. Airlines and immigration may ask to see it, and visitors without one can be refused.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.

For an e-visa application, you will also need:

• A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
• A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

Swiss travellers often connect through a European or Gulf hub on the way to Vietnam. Check whether you need a transit visa for your connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa Cost for Swiss Citizens

Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need an e-visa, your total has two parts.

Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.

Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in Swiss francs depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

If you need an e-visa, official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you fly.

In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.

A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 6 hours ahead of Switzerland in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer. For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 2:00 AM in Zürich in winter and 3:00 AM in summer. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Switzerland

If you’re travelling visa-free for tourism, there’s nothing to apply for. If you need an e-visa, follow these steps:

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

For an e-visa, your stay doesn’t begin when you land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.

If you travel visa-free, your 45 days are counted from the date you enter. Write down your arrival date and your last day in Vietnam, and leave a small buffer before your flight home.

Common Mistakes Swiss Citizens Make

• Travelling without a return or onward ticket. Visitors without one can be turned away, so keep your ticket handy.
• Travelling with an identity card. Only a passport is accepted for entry to Vietnam.
• Travelling with a passport that expires too soon. Check that it has at least six months remaining on your entry date.
• Assuming the exemption covers business, study, or work. It’s granted for tourism, so apply for an e-visa in advance if your purpose is different.
• Relying on outdated conditions. Some older websites still mention a requirement to book through a tour operator. Check current official sources.
• Staying longer than the allowance. The visa-free stay can’t be extended inside Vietnam, and overstaying can lead to fines and entry bans.
• Not checking whether the exemption still applies. It’s granted for a fixed period, so confirm before you book.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make an e-visa unusable. Swiss names can include umlauts and accents, such as ä, ö, ü, é, and è, so copy your name exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Applying too late. If you need an e-visa, even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Passport (not an ID card) with at least six months remaining on your entry date, and at least two blank pages.
• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
• Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
• Return or onward flight ticket.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
• Travel insurance, which isn’t required for entry but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

Neither the visa-free stay nor the e-visa can be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day e-visa from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.