Answered3 years ago
Do I need a visa to leave the airport during a 20-hour stopover in Hanoi as a UK citizen?
Hi, anyone know if i'm transiting through Hanoi Vietnam from Bangkok to Uk with stopover in Hanoi 20hrs. Do i need a visa to leave the airport? I've read conflicting answers.
Answer summary
The requirement for a visa to leave the airport during a 20-hour stopover in Hanoi, Vietnam, depends on the passport held by the traveler. For UK citizens, there is currently a visa exemption for stays up to 45 days, meaning no visa is necessary to enter Vietnam. However, some commenters noted that travelers with US passports do require a visa. The conversation highlighted various personal experiences and updated regulations regarding visa requirements for UK and US passport holders traveling to Vietnam.
38 repliesnewest first
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Bob **********
Yes
Tom *********
There's an airport fast track for a VOA.
****************************
Ken ***********
@Nick ******
i think a 20 hour connection would require checkin in Hanoi.
Christopher *************
It would appear not.
John ***********
I tried to get on a plane from bkk to Vietnam and I didn't have a visa, they wouldn't let me on the plane, this was in October of Last year and I had a US passport.
So I went to Cambodia where I got a visa at the airport.
Vietnam you need an e visa I'm pretty sure. Takes about 3 to 5 working days if you fill it out correctly.
So I went to Cambodia where I got a visa at the airport.
Vietnam you need an e visa I'm pretty sure. Takes about 3 to 5 working days if you fill it out correctly.
Michael ********
@John **********
for US citizens yes British Not required*************************************************************
%20UK%20Passport%20Holders%20Need,day%20stays%20in%20the%20country.John ***********
@Michael *******
I know, read my multiple replies with him. Thanks, I've been schooled.John ***********
@Michael *******
wow, that's wild, all I knew about Vietnam was what I watched in movies and what I was told by my friends when I was working for the VA. Then my first trip was over 8 years ago and I applied for the visa when I got there, then last year I booked a hotel for a week, gonna visit a friend in Saigon and I didn't know they changed the rules and I forfeited everything, air fare, hotel, visa fees because I found out on Friday night and was leaving for Vietnam from bkk on Sunday, I massively screwed up, went to the airport and no go, so I bought tix to Cambodia and did the temple's again. Lesson learned the hard expensive way.
If you need a visa to get into Vietnam,, e visa is 3 to 5 working days if you filled everything out correctly.
Next trip I will apply early.
Michael ********
@John **********
Always been that way I first went to Vietnam in 1992 for a Kayaking expedition in Halong Bay most other member of team were American and Thai they had to spend 5 days in Bangkok sorting out visas even though we were invited by Vietnamese goverment. I spoke to embassy in Singapore they jist told me i get when i arrive (british) just fly there.Country wasnt opened up for tourism at time.
John **********
@John **********
us passport holders need a visa uk do not for 15 daysJan **********
@John **********
Wrong.
Nick *******
OP@John **********
that's also what i read from some websites. But i think uk citizens don't need oneJan **********
UK gets 45 days visa free, since 15 August 2023.
Michael ********
@Jan *********
is it 45 or 15 days ?
Chris *********************
@Michael *******
45 mate done it a couple of months agoChris *********************
@Michael *******
beautiful country and very clean, shit me up a bit when I had to get on the cable car to Ba NA hill, the wife didn't tell me that part until we were in front of it,Nick *******
OP@Michael *******
slightly off topic, i'm doing a 21hr stopover Bkk - Ho chi Minh - London i wanna stay in Ho chi Minh overnite. It's visa free i know. But on way back into airport i don't need to check in just immigration & customs right?Michael ********
@Chris ********************
yes Ba Na and Da Nang is great. Did Hanoi over 30 years ago and kayaking expidition in halong bay (first exploration by kayak goverment sponsered) dont really want go back it might spoil the memoriesChris *********************
@Michael *******
been to Vietnam a few times, but never Saigon,always small coastal places, iv 2 young daughters, if they say beach, it's the beach,Last year we stayed in 5 different hotels in 7 days ,
Ba Na hills ,and DA Nang is beautiful.
Michael ********
@Chris ********************
yes went there two weeks ago didnt think much of saigonJan **********
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Michael ********
@Jan *********
ok cool didnt know it had been changed ThanksJan **********
25 countries get now visa exempt 45 days.
Nick *******
OP@Jan *********
yes i did read that this morning. Just wanted to make sure with you guys as some hav said i need a e visa if i leave the airportNick *******
OPI've done many short stopovers before but i thought i would book a long one as i wanted to visit Vietnam before i do my shitty 2 months work in London.
Nick *******
OPYes guys sorry forgot to mention. Im uk citizen. Also it wont affect my single entry stamp on return to Thailand will it?
John **********
No you get 15 days if you are from the UK anyway
Nick *******
OP@John *********
ok thanks. Silly question but it won't affect my single entry stamp back into Thailand will it?John **********
@Nick ******
I only know about 15 day visa free cos I had to fly to Vietnam and fly back to thailand to activate my visa which was sent from LTE to me too late I received it 8 days after arrivalJan **********
45
Brandon ************
Depends on what passport you have. You'll be entering the country so transit makes no difference. If you have a passport from a country that requires a visa to enter Vietnam then you need a visa. If your passport is from a country who doesn't need a visa to enter Vietnam then you don't need a visa.
Nick *******
OP@Brandon ***********
Uk Passport mateMichael ********
@Nick ******
no need visa then for one day. At moment brits get 15 days visa exemptMichael ********
@Nick ******
No idea of vietnam airways policy regarding this. Need to check with them and also check in staff at bangkokNick *******
OP@Michael *******
do i need to check in again? Im using same airline Vietnam airways so no baggage collection.Nick *******
OP@Michael *******
ah ok, so i can just exit airport as normal an return 20 hrs later for my connecting flight to LHR.Activity
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