China waives transit visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens
Special visa exemption policy for high-profile foreigners
This is the pilot policy announced by the Government on October 12, and a significant move during the Viet Nam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027 to boost bilateral tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The policy shall apply to Chinese citizens holding valid ordinary passports, excluding holders of passports issued by the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.
Under the policy, Chinese tourists who wish to visit Khanh Hoa province need to travel to Viet Nam in group of two or more people under package tours arranged by Vietnames international travel service providers.
Important notes for Chinese group tourists:
- Tourist destination: Khanh Hoa province.
- Port of entry and exit: Cam Ranh International Airport. Travelers must enter and exit through the same border gate.
- Flight requirements: Direct flights from mainland China to Cam Ranh International Airport.
The duration of stay shall not exceed 30 days.
People-to-people exchanges have emerged as a pillar of Viet Nam-China relations as both countries enter a new phase of development.
From August 20, Vietnamese citizens can transit through China for up to 10 days without a visa via 65 designated entry and exit ports.
The new policy was announced by China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) on August 20. It applies to citizens of Viet Nam and Kyrgyzstan, allowing them to transit visa-free for 240 hours (equivalent to 10 days) through 65 ports and enter Hainan Province visa-free for 30 days.
To qualify for the policy, travelers must hold a valid ordinary passport and have a connecting ticket with a confirmed departure date and itinerary for travel to a third country or region.
China remained the largest source market of Viet Nam's tourism over the first three quarters of the year, with more than 3.953 million visitors, up 1.5 per cent year on year.
Meanwhile, Viet Nam ranked as China's fourth-largest source of international visitors in the first half of the year with 2.7 million arrivals./.