China visa for Vietnam citizens

Current status (verified May 2026)

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders are eligible for 15-day visa-free entry to mainland China — a shorter entitlement than the 30-day window given to most other eligible countries. This reflects the specific bilateral arrangement between China and Vietnam.

What you need at the border

• Passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay.
• Onward ticket.
• Hotel booking or address.
• Digital arrival declaration.

Why 15 days, not 30?

The 15-day visa-free period reflects the specific bilateral visa agreement between Vietnam and China, which predates China's broader 30-day visa-free programme. The terms differ from those negotiated with Western and Latin American countries.

What 15-day visa-free covers

Tourism, business meetings, family visits. Travel throughout mainland China is permitted, with the standard Tibet Travel Permit requirement for Tibet.

Longer stays

Stays beyond 15 days require an L visa from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hong Kong and Macau

Vietnamese passport-holders are visa-free for Hong Kong (14 days) and Macau (30 days). Mainland entry is a separate immigration event.

Practical notes

Land border crossings between Vietnam and China are active at several points (Lào Cai/Hekou, Lạng Sơn/Pingxiang, Móng Cái/Dongxing). Air connections between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and multiple Chinese cities are extensive. Given the 15-day limit, cross-border land travel is a common option for shorter trips.