Do Malaysians Need a Visa for Vietnam? Guide to 30-Day Visa Exemption

Are Malaysians exempt from Vietnam visa?

The answer is definitely Yes. The Vietnamese government applies a bilateral visa exemption policy for member countries of ASEAN, including Malaysia. Malaysian citizens holding a valid passport are allowed to enter Vietnam without applying for a sticker visa or an E-visa prior to the trip.

This exemption is intended to promote tourism and trade between the two nations. You simply need to ensure your passport is valid according to international regulations and that your purpose of entry is tourism or a short visit to enjoy this visa-free status smoothly at the immigration checkpoint.

What documents must Malaysian passport holders prepare when entering Vietnam?

Although Malaysian passport holders are visa-exempt for Vietnam for 30 days, to ensure a smooth entry process at the airport or land border, you cannot travel completely empty-handed. Customs officers will not ask for a visa approval letter, but they will check the validity of your travel documents.

Specifically, Malaysian citizens need to prepare:

• Original Passport: Must be valid for at least 06 months from the date of entry into Vietnam and have at least 2 blank pages.
• Round-trip flight ticket (or ticket to a 3rd country): Technically, this is not mandatory. While many sources recommend preparing it to prove you will leave within the visa-free period and to avoid potential hassles at immigration, it is generally not a problem if you have not booked your return ticket yet.
• Hotel booking confirmation (recommended): Sometimes immigration officers may ask for your accommodation address in Vietnam.

How many days are Malaysian passports exempt from Vietnam visa?

Under current regulations, the visa-free stay for Malaysian citizens is capped at 30 days.

If you plan to travel across Vietnam extensively or wish to stay longer than this limit, the visa exemption policy no longer applies. In this case, you must apply for a Vietnam E-visa (Electronic Visa). The E-visa is currently the most convenient option, allowing foreign tourists to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days, perfectly solving the time restriction issue.

Important Note: If your planned trip exceeds 30 days, you must apply for a Vietnam visa before your arrival. You cannot enter under the visa exemption status and then extend your stay or apply for a new visa while inside Vietnam; this is not permitted under current regulations. Vietnam visas (specifically E-visas) are only granted to individuals currently located outside of Vietnamese territory. The most optimal solution is the Vietnam E-visa, and the registration process is entirely online.

🔍 Learn More: What Is a Vietnam Electronic Visa (E-Visa)?

What is the procedure for applying for a Vietnam E-visa?

The application process for a Vietnam E-visa is entirely online, with no need to mail your passport or visit an embassy. The brief procedure is as follows:

1. Access the official E-visa website of the Vietnam Immigration Department.
2. Upload your passport bio-page scan and a recent portrait photo (looking straight, no glasses).
3. Fill in your personal details and travel itinerary.
4. Pay the visa fee online and receive an application code to check the status later.

Contact Us: If you would like to learn more details or have any questions regarding the Vietnam E-visa, please contact us immediately. We are always ready to support you at any time to ensure you have a smooth visa preparation process. Please contact us here: Contact us

How long does it take to get a Vietnam E-visa?

The standard processing time for a Vietnam E-visa is officially listed as 3 working days. However, in reality, the process often takes 4 to 5 working days, or potentially longer during peak seasons or if the application requires further verification. Therefore, you should proactively apply at least 1-2 weeks before your trip.

If you need a visa quickly to catch your flight, standard services may not meet your deadline. You should consider the urgent service for Vietnam E-visa.

Note: You can refer to this article to learn more about [Urgent Vietnam E-visa Services], which take only 1 working day to approve your visa, ensuring you can fly on time.

🔍 Learn More: Expedited Electronic Visa Service

I have a Hong Kong passport but reside in Malaysia, am I visa-exempt?

This is a very common misunderstanding. The visa exemption policy is based on citizenship (the passport you hold), not your place of residence. Only citizens holding a Malaysian passport are exempt from Vietnam visa for 30 days.

If you are living and working in Malaysia but hold a Hong Kong, Chinese (PRC), or Taiwanese passport, you are not exempt. You must apply for an E-visa or other appropriate visa types before entering Vietnam, regardless of whether you are flying from Malaysia.

Which Types of Vietnam Visas Can Hong Kong Citizens Apply For? [Electronic Visa (E-Visa)]

How much does a Vietnam E-visa cost?

If you fall into a category that requires an E-visa (staying over 30 days or not holding Malaysian citizenship), you will need to pay the government fee (non-refundable if refused). The current official fees on the government website are:

• E-visa Single entry: 25 USD.
• E-visa Multiple entry: 50 USD.

I have a Malaysian passport, can I go to Vietnam to work?

The bilateral visa exemption policy is strictly applied for tourism purposes only. It does not apply to commercial purposes, labor, or paid work in Vietnam. Furthermore, you must complete exit procedures immediately when the 30-day exemption expires.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days or travel for business, you must apply for a 3-month visa (90 days). When applying for an E-visa, you can select the appropriate purpose of entry, such as Tourism or Business, depending on your actual needs.

I am a Malaysian citizen, can I apply for a 1-year visa?

Unfortunately, at this moment, Vietnam does not issue 1-year tourist or business visas for standard Malaysian passport holders. Under current immigration policies, the longest stay duration available to you is 90 days. However, when applying for this 90-day E-visa, you have the flexibility to choose between single entry or multiple entries depending on your travel needs. If you require frequent travel, the 90-day multiple entry E-visa is currently the best option available.

Apply for E-visa here: [apply now]

If you have any other questions regarding Malaysian passport visa exemption for 30 days or need assistance with E-visa procedures, please contact us immediately for support. We are online 24/7 to serve you.