In short
For visitors: with an ID document — or permit required, depending on the area, purpose or group.
- Boundary area — 51,656 km²
- Checked against the act on 21 October 2026
- Local name: Khu vực biên giới đất liền
Who may enter, and with what
Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.
- Citizens of Vietnam — with an ID document. Vietnamese citizens entering the land border area must carry an identity document (citizen ID / ID card / electronic ID or other lawful ID). Overnight stays must be registered with the commune police.Exceptions: Overnight stays: citizens (other than residents of the zone) register their stay with the commune police (Công an cấp xã); overnight in the border belt also requires written notice to the border post (Art. 7 cl. 1, Decree 34/2014).Decree 299/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. 1 cl. 2a (datafiles.chinhphu.vn) · as of 17 November 2025 · checked 21 October 2026
Original wording
Công dân Việt Nam vào khu vực biên giới đất liền phải có một trong các loại giấy tờ sau: Thẻ căn cước công dân, Thẻ căn cước, Căn cước điện tử
- Foreign nationals — permit required. Foreigners residing or temporarily staying in Vietnam need a permit from the provincial police (where they stay or of the destination border province) to enter the land border area, and must carry their passport and residence papers. Tourist, service and economic zones are exempt.Issued by: Provincial police (Công an cấp tỉnh, Immigration Management Division) where the foreigner lives or stays, or of the border province of destination · Processing time: Up to 5 working days from receipt of a complete application and payment (Khánh Hòa provincial police procedure QT.PA08.15 of 26.04.2024) · Fee: USD 10 per person (same source; under Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC)Exceptions: Not required in tourist, service and economic zones inside the border area: «trừ khu du lịch, dịch vụ, khu kinh tế». The decree gives no list or boundaries of these zones.; If foreigners are hosted by a Vietnamese organisation: a referral letter from the parent organisation, an escort with documents and notice to the provincial Border Guard Command (Ban chỉ huy Bộ đội Biên phòng) and police at least 24 hours ahead; official delegations — written notice and an escort.; Overnight stays — registration with the commune police; in the border belt also written notice to the border post (Art. 7 cl. 1, Decree 34/2014).Apply · Decree 299/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. 1 cl. 2b (datafiles.chinhphu.vn) · as of 17 November 2025 · checked 21 October 2026
Original wording
Người nước ngoài thường trú, tạm trú ở Việt Nam vào khu vực biên giới đất liền (trừ khu du lịch, dịch vụ, khu kinh tế) phải có giấy phép của cơ quan Công an cấp tỉnh
Legal basis
Questions
Permits and restricted zones — FAQ
Do you need a permit: Vietnam land border area?
For visitors: with an ID document — or permit required, depending on the area, purpose or group. Foreigners residing or temporarily staying in Vietnam need a permit from the provincial police (where they stay or of the destination border province) to enter the land border area, and must carry their passport and residence papers. Tourist, service and economic zones are exempt.
Where do I get the permit?
Issued by: Provincial police (Công an cấp tỉnh, Immigration Management Division) where the foreigner lives or stays, or of the border province of destination. The link to the official application page is in the rule above.
Will the planner see this zone on my route?
Yes: the zone has a boundary, and the trip plan will show a line if the route or an overnight stop falls inside.
Other zones: Vietnam
Related
Zone boundaries built from © OpenStreetMap contributors and national acts.