Border zone

Vietnam maritime border area

Border zone · Vietnam

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In short

For visitors: with an ID document — or permit required, depending on the area, purpose or group.

Boundary area — 23,568 km²
Approximate boundary: a strip at the average distance
Checked against the act on 21 October 2026
Local name: Khu vực biên giới biển

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 (other than residents of the zone) entering the maritime border area must carry an ID document (ID card, electronic ID, passport or service ID). Overnight stays must be registered with the commune police.Exceptions: Does not apply to citizens permanently residing in the maritime border area. Overnight stays — registration with the commune police.
Original wording
Công dân Việt Nam (trừ công dân có nơi thường trú trong khu vực biên giới biển) vào khu vực biên giới biển phải có một trong các loại giấy tờ
Decree 299/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. 3 cl. 2a (datafiles.chinhphu.vn) · as of 17 November 2025 · checked 21 October 2026
Foreign nationals — permit required. Foreigners staying in Vietnam who enter the maritime border area or islands need a passport, a visa (unless exempt), residence papers and a provincial police permit for the zone. Tourist, service and economic zones are exempt. Overnight stays are registered via the accommodation.Issued by: Provincial police (Công an cấp tỉnh, Immigration Management Division) where the foreigner lives or stays, or of the province of destination · Processing time: Up to 5 working days (Khánh Hòa provincial police procedure QT.PA08.15 of 26.04.2024) · Fee: USD 10 per person (same source)Exceptions: Not required in tourist, service and economic zones: «trừ khu du lịch, dịch vụ, khu kinh tế». The decree gives no list or boundaries.; Groups hosted by a Vietnamese organisation: a referral letter from the provincial People's Committee and written notice to the police and the Border Guard Command (Ban chỉ huy Bộ đội Biên phòng) 24 hours ahead (delegations — 12 hours).; Overnight stays — registered with the commune police through the accommodation.
Original wording
giấy phép vào khu vực biên giới biển (trừ khu du lịch, dịch vụ, khu kinh tế) của Công an cấp tỉnh nơi người đó thường trú, tạm trú hoặc Công an cấp tỉnh nơi đến cấp
Apply · Decree 299/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. 3 cl. 3a (datafiles.chinhphu.vn) · as of 17 November 2025 · checked 21 October 2026

Legal basis

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Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Vietnam maritime border area?

For visitors: with an ID document — or permit required, depending on the area, purpose or group. Foreigners staying in Vietnam who enter the maritime border area or islands need a passport, a visa (unless exempt), residence papers and a provincial police permit for the zone. Tourist, service and economic zones are exempt. Overnight stays are registered via the accommodation.

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 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.

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