Complete Analysis of Vietnam's Visa Policy for China in 2025

As of the end of 2025, Chinese ordinary passport holders traveling to Vietnam still need to apply for a visa in advance in principle, without comprehensive short-term visa exemptions like those for Thailand and Malaysia:

- Visa is still mandatory: Chinese ordinary passports are not included in Vietnam's expanded visa-exempt country list for 2025; Chinese tourists, business travelers, students, workers, and other common scenarios must hold a valid visa for entry.
- Main pathways are e-visa and embassy visa:
- E-visa supports up to 90 days, single or multiple entries, can be applied for online, and is now the primary tool for Chinese tourists and short-term business travelers.
- Traditional embassy visa (sticker visa) still exists, often used for special purposes, longer stays/multiple entries, or paths involving invitation letters from companies/schools.
- Visa on arrival is only suitable for a few scenarios: Mostly for business travelers with invitation letters or group tourists processed through travel agencies via "approval letter + visa on arrival"; it is not recommended as a regular option for independent travelers.
- Non-ordinary passports and special statuses have exemptions:
- Chinese diplomatic, official, and service passports, based on bilateral agreements, can enjoy approximately 30 days of visa-free stay in Vietnam (specifics depend on passport type and the latest agreements).
- Vietnamese-Chinese and their spouses and children can apply for a 5-year visa exemption certificate, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry.

Key conclusion: For the vast majority of Chinese individual investors, tourists, and students, planning a trip to Vietnam in 2025 should still focus on e-visa and traditional visas, and do not assume that "comprehensive visa exemption for China" has been implemented.

For Chinese ordinary passport holders, the main visa pathways to Vietnam in 2025 can be divided into six categories:

1. E-visa (Electronic Visa) – Preferred Path
- Applicable scenarios: tourism, business visits, visiting relatives and friends, and other short-term stays;
- Features: online application, no need to visit the embassy, can apply for multiple entries, maximum stay of 90 days.

2. Embassy Sticker Visa (Traditional Visa)
- Processed by Vietnamese embassies/consulates/visa centers in China;
- Suitable for more complex scenarios:
- Stays longer than 90 days;
- Initial applications for certain work, study, or investment visas;
- "Official visits" requiring formal invitation letters from companies/schools.

3. Visa on Arrival (Airport Visa)
- Mainly applicable to tourists/business people holding an "approval letter" from the Vietnam Immigration Department;
- Typical process: first obtain the approval letter through a local travel agency/partner unit → upon arrival at airports like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, exchange for the visa at designated counters and pay the fee;
- Risks: if the approval letter is non-standard or the flight does not meet requirements, boarding or entry may be denied.

4. Work/Business Long-term Visas (e.g., LD/DN)
- Applied for through a Vietnamese employer or partner company;
- Common path: first enter with a short-term business/tourist visa for negotiations → after confirming employment, the employer applies for a work permit and work/business long-term visa.

5. Study Visa (DH Category)
- Issued after receiving an admission letter from a Vietnamese university or educational institution;
- After entry, continue to apply for a study residence card (TRC) for long-term legal study stays.

6. Long-term/Identity Conveniences: 5-year Visa Exemption, Golden Visa, etc.
- 5-year Visa Exemption: for overseas Vietnamese and their foreign spouses and children;
- Golden Visa/Long-term Visa: for large investors, high-end talents, long-term vacationers, offering 5–10 year multiple entry rights.

For Chinese investors planning to buy property, conduct inspections, or view projects, a typical combination is:
> Phase 1: E-visa or short-term business visa → multiple entries for property viewing and cooperation talks;
> Phase 2: After finalizing the project, upgrade to an investment visa, work visa, or long-term residence card as needed.

In 2025, Chinese tourists can theoretically enter Vietnam through the "approval letter + airport visa on arrival" method, but the following issues need to be noted:

1. The actual process is far more complex than 'paying and getting a stamp on the spot'
- Most formal visa on arrival processes are:
1. Apply for a "visa approval letter" from the Vietnamese Immigration Department in advance through a local travel agency/partner company in Vietnam;
2. Obtain the official approval letter (PDF) with stamps/signatures, print it and carry it with you;
3. Present it to the airline during check-in in China to prove your eligibility for visa on arrival in Vietnam;
4. Upon arrival at a Vietnamese airport, go to the "visa application counter" to submit your passport, photos, approval letter, and pay the fee, then receive the sticker visa before entering.

2. Several practical risks for independent Chinese tourists
- Risk one: Opaque approval letter channels
- Some "cheap approval letters" online may not be submitted by formal institutions, and there is a possibility of being rejected by Vietnamese immigration or airlines;
- Risk two: Airline refusal to board
- If you cannot prove that you have "legal grounds for entry" at your destination, the airline has the right to deny you boarding;
- Risk three: On-site queuing and communication costs
- During peak hours, the visa on arrival counter queues can be very long, and language communication issues may delay your trip or even cause you to miss connecting flights.

3. Recommended strategies for 2025
- For ordinary independent travel/short-term property viewing inspections:
- Prioritize using the E-visa, as the process is simpler and more controllable;
- For scenarios with invitation letters requiring frequent business trips:
- Consider using the approval letter + visa on arrival, but it must be handled through qualified travel agencies/companies;
- In any case, do not interpret "visa on arrival" as "preparing nothing and figuring it out upon arrival," as that is closer to a high-risk "gamble."

A very "detailed but critical" change for Chinese citizens is: Holders of the new Chinese biometric ordinary passport (with the nine-dash line map) will encounter special handling when using the Vietnamese e-visa for entry.

1. Vietnam is unwilling to directly stamp the Chinese passport with the nine-dash line map
- Due to the South China Sea dispute and other reasons, Vietnam is very sensitive to passports bearing the nine-dash line map;
- In practice, Vietnamese border control often adopts the following approach:
- Do not directly stamp the entry seal or affix the visa in the passport;
- Instead, they print the e-visa information as a separate paper visa/endorsement page, or stamp it on a separate visa paper.

2. What does this mean for Chinese tourists holding an e-visa?
- The process of applying for an e-visa online is basically the same as for other nationalities, but upon arrival:
- Border control personnel may "transfer" your e-visa information to a separate paper visa or endorsement page;
- The entire process may be slightly slower than for travelers with other passports, requiring your patient cooperation;
- As long as your documents are genuine, your itinerary is reasonable, and there are no other risk factors, this usually does not affect your smooth entry.

3. Practical advice: How to build redundancy into your plans?
- Recommendations:
- Allow more time for entry when arriving in Vietnam, to avoid "rushing to catch a connecting flight immediately upon landing";
- When filling out the entry/exit card or during verbal inquiries, honestly state the purpose of your trip, and keep documents such as your itinerary, hotel bookings, and return flight tickets readily available for inspection;
- For travel with significant assets or clear investment purposes, try to obtain invitation letters or explanatory letters through formal channels (e.g., invited companies/agents), which can help with overall risk assessment.

4. How to handle this at the visa strategy level?
- The nine-dash line issue is more about the "form of entry stamping" rather than "whether entry is permitted";
- It has little impact on the choice of visa type—the e-visa is still the preferred option, but you should be mentally prepared for special procedures at the entry counter.

In a few cases, e-visas may experience "extended review periods" or "non-issuance," which does not necessarily mean you are "permanently denied," but you need a Plan B:

1. Prioritize checking your own materials
- Is the passport photo clear?
- Are there any errors in the English name, passport number, date of birth, etc.?
- Have you submitted multiple duplicate applications in a short period?

2. Try reapplying or changing your travel dates
- If there is no clear rejection record from the authorities, you can resubmit after correcting the materials;
- If your travel schedule is flexible, you can postpone your application to avoid peak travel seasons.

3. Go through formal travel agencies or visa centers for embassy visas
- For applicants with substantial assets or complex itineraries (e.g., property viewing + business negotiations),
- You can use travel agencies/visa centers familiar with Vietnamese business to apply for an embassy sticker visa;
- Providing more detailed itineraries, invitation letters, and asset proofs can help increase the success rate.

4. Avoid high-risk actions
- Do not attempt "visa on arrival" or purchase last-minute cheap flights without any valid visa;
- For applicants who have already received a "clear rejection record," it is advisable to consult professional agencies or lawyers first to assess whether to wait for some time before reapplying.

5. Consider long-term planning
- If you plan to enter and exit Vietnam repeatedly over the next 1–2 years for investment purposes:
- You can plan early for investment visas/long-term visas/residence cards to avoid relying on short-term e-visas each time "by chance";
- Establishing stable partnerships with local compliant developers, law firms, or service providers can also make the visa process smoother.

For Chinese citizens, legally working long-term in Vietnam typically involves three stages: short-term visit → work permit → work visa/residence card:

1. Step 1: Short-term visit phase (business/investigation)
- Common practices:
- First enter via business e-visa (select Business as the purpose) or short-term business sticker visa;
- Participate in interviews, negotiate contracts, and understand the company and city environment locally.

2. Step 2: Employer applies for a work permit
- The work permit is usually applied for by the Vietnamese employer with the local labor authority/immigration department;
- The employer needs to submit:
- Reason for recruitment (explaining why foreign employees are needed);
- Company business license, organizational documents;
- Draft labor contract, etc.;
- The Chinese applicant personally needs to submit:
- Passport copy;
- Educational certificates, professional qualification certificates;
- Sometimes, a criminal record check, health certificate, etc. (often requiring notarization/authentication).

3. Step 3: Work visa (LD category) + temporary residence card (TRC)
- After the work permit is approved, the employer can use it to apply for:
- Work visa (LD)—used for initial entry or status conversion;
- Temporary residence card (usually valid for 1–2 years, with multiple entries), allowing you to avoid frequent visa applications during your passport's validity period.

4. Practical advice for Chinese applicants
- Try to choose employers with experience in hiring foreign employees, as they are more familiar with the visa and work permit processes;
- Avoid starting "actual work" while only holding a tourist visa/e-visa, as this may be considered illegal employment if checked, affecting all subsequent visa applications;
- For those with families planning to settle long-term in Vietnam, you can simultaneously plan for dependent visas + residence cards for spouses and children.

Studying in Vietnam is still a niche choice for Chinese students, but it holds some appeal for certain majors (such as medicine, languages, and cross-border trade). For Chinese students going to Vietnam for studies in 2025, the general process is as follows:

1. Determine the School and Major
- Common types:
- Public universities in Vietnam (e.g., comprehensive universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City);
- Private universities and international schools;
- Language centers (for Vietnamese, English training, etc.).

2. Obtain the Admission Letter (Offer)
- Generally requires submission of:
- Passport copy;
- Highest education/current enrollment certificate;
- Transcript (depending on the school's requirements, may need notarization and translation);
- Language proficiency proof (English/Vietnamese, with varying requirements by school).

3. Apply for a Student Visa (DH Category)
- After receiving the formal admission letter, submit the student visa application to the Vietnamese embassy/consulate by yourself or through the school:
- Original passport;
- Original and copy of the admission letter;
- Completed visa application form and passport photos;
- Sometimes proof of financial means (tuition and living expenses) is required;
- The initial student visa validity often matches the semester/course length (e.g., 3–6 months), and it can be extended within Vietnam later.

4. Post-Entry Procedures: Study Residence Card and School Registration
- After arriving in Vietnam, you need to:
- Complete registration and check-in at the school within the specified timeframe;
- Cooperate with the school to apply for a Study Temporary Residence Card (TRC) with the local immigration department:
- Validity is typically issued per semester/academic year, allowing multiple entries and exits;
- Some schools assist with arrangements for health check-ups, health insurance, and other support.

Vietnam's legal system does not have 'pure real estate immigration' like some countries, but for Chinese investors, the main long-term stay/quasi-immigration tools available in 2025 include:

1. Investment Visa (DT Category) + Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
- For investors who establish companies in Vietnam, participate in major projects, or hold a certain scale of equity;
- General approach:
1. Register a company or participate in an approved investment project in Vietnam;
2. Apply for an investment visa DT as a company executive/legal representative/key shareholder;
3. On this basis, apply for a temporary residence card valid for 1–5 years, allowing multiple entries.

2. Golden Visa/Long-term Visa Program (Pilot Phase)
- Vietnam is advancing a 5–10 year visa program targeting high-net-worth individuals, long-term vacationers, and professional talents;
- Typical features:
- May require a certain amount of investment (in real estate/enterprises/funds, etc.);
- Or require high-level professional expertise in specific fields in Vietnam;
- High-net-worth Chinese investors generally enjoy the same conditions as European/American/other Asian investors.

3. Obtaining Long-term Visas through Corporate Executive/Expert Pathways
- If you do not directly hold shares but are assigned to Vietnam as a senior manager or technical expert within a multinational company:
- You can apply for a long-term work visa and residence card as a 'foreign executive/expert';
- In some cases, there may be opportunities to convert to investor or other long-term visa types later.

4. Family Dimension: Spouse and Children
- Chinese investors holding long-term visas/residence cards can apply for corresponding accompanying residence for their spouses and minor children;
- If married to a Vietnamese spouse, there is also an opportunity to obtain longer-term or even 5-year visa exemption through family reunification pathways.

In addition to ordinary passports, Chinese holders of diplomatic, official, and official ordinary passports can enjoy visa-free treatment based on bilateral agreements:

1. Non-ordinary passport visa-free arrangements between China and Vietnam
- According to information released by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and multiple embassies and consulates abroad:
- Holders of Chinese diplomatic passports, official passports, and some 'official ordinary passports' can enjoy approximately 30 days of visa-free stay during short-term visits to Vietnam;
- This arrangement is often used for:
- Official visits;
- Government cooperation projects;
- International conferences, organizational postings, etc.

2. Applicable groups
- The vast majority of Chinese individual investors, ordinary workers, and students cannot apply for diplomatic or official passports;
- Therefore, this visa exemption is more practically meaningful for:
- Government officials;
- Personnel from central enterprises/state-owned enterprises/public institutions visiting Vietnam in an 'official capacity'.

3. Practical reminders
- Even if the passport type meets the visa-free conditions, you should still:
- Confirm that the purpose of the visit and the length of stay do not exceed the scope of the agreement;
- Re-verify the latest regulations through your unit's foreign affairs department or the Vietnamese embassy/consulate before traveling;
- For publicly dispatched personnel who may be stationed in Vietnam long-term, it is usually still necessary to apply for the corresponding long-term visa or residence card, rather than relying solely on the 30-day visa-free stay.

If we look at Vietnam visas from a "decision-making/planning" perspective, there are several key milestones from 2023 to 2025 that are worth noting:

1. August 2023: Comprehensive Expansion of E-Visas
- Vietnam extended e-visas to almost all countries and increased the validity period from 30 days to up to 90 days, supporting multiple entries;
- For Chinese tourists/investors, this marks a turning point where the "entry threshold is significantly lowered."

2. 2024: Expansion of Visa-Free List, Setting the Stage for 2025 Upgrades
- Vietnam implemented or extended 45-day visa-free policies for multiple European countries, Japan, South Korea, etc.;
- China is not on the list, but this indicates that Vietnam considers "visa-friendly" policies as part of its national tourism strategy.

3. 2025: Further Extension and Expansion of Visa-Free Policies + Introduction of Long-Term Visa Concepts
- Visa-free periods for some countries were extended to 2028;
- Pilot programs for new tools like golden visas/long-term visas were launched;
- There is no "substantial breakthrough in visa-free access" for ordinary Chinese passports, but long-term stay and investment pathways have clearly diversified.

Vietnam visa fees vary depending on the visa type, number of entries, and validity period. Here is a 'range perception' for Chinese applicants:

1. E-visa Fees
- Single entry, up to 90 days: approximately $25;
- Multiple entries, up to 90 days: approximately $50;
- Payment is made online via the official website, and visa fees are generally non-refundable and non-changeable, even if the application is rejected.

2. Regular Sticker Visa (Tourism/Business)
- Depending on the embassy/consulate and visa type, the approximate range is:
- Single entry: $25–50;
- Multiple entries (3–6 months): $50–135 or more;
- If applying through a travel agency/visa center, additional service fees will be charged.

3. Long-term Visa/Residence Card
- Fees for work visas + residence cards, investment visas + residence cards, etc.,
- Are often budgeted collectively by the company or project sponsor;
- For individuals, these are usually included in 'package service prices' and rarely calculated separately based on government fee standards.

4. Mainstream Application Channels
- Self-service:
- E-visa official website → fill out, pay, and download the approval document yourself;
- Embassy/Consulate:
- Use the appointment system of the Vietnamese embassy/consulate in China to submit materials as required;
- Travel Agency/Visa Center:
- Especially suitable for applicants unfamiliar with online forms or needing complex visa types;
- It's important to carefully select agencies with long-term experience in Vietnam business and a stable reputation to avoid 'low-price traps'.