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South Korea is Vietnam's #1 tourism market. Korean citizens get 45 days visa-free — here's everything you need to know, including eVisa options for longer stays.
Do Korean Citizens Need a Visa for Vietnam?
For short trips, no! South Korean passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Vietnam for up to 45 days. This makes Vietnam one of the easiest destinations for Korean travelers.
South Korea is consistently Vietnam's #1 inbound tourism market, with millions of Korean tourists visiting each year. The strong bilateral relationship is reflected in the generous visa-free period.
If you need to stay longer than 45 days, you can apply for a Vietnam eVisa for stays up to 90 days.
Visa Options for Korean Travelers
Overview of your entry options:
| Option | Duration | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-Free Entry | Up to 45 days | Free | Most Korean tourists |
| eVisa (Single Entry) | Up to 90 days | $25 USD | Extended stays |
| eVisa (Multiple Entry) | Up to 90 days | $50 USD | Business travelers, frequent visitors |
Visa-Free Rules for Korean Citizens
When entering Vietnam visa-free, Korean citizens must:
- Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry date with ≥ 2 blank pages
- Stay no longer than 45 days per entry
- Enter for tourism or short visits only (no employment)
- Have proof of onward/return travel
- Be aware that visa-free stays cannot be extended inside Vietnam
Popular Routes: Korea → Vietnam
South Korea has excellent flight connectivity to Vietnam, with multiple daily flights:
- Seoul (ICN) → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): ~5.5 hours — Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Asiana, Jeju Air, Air Premia
- Seoul (ICN) → Hanoi (HAN): ~4.5 hours — Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Asiana, T'way Air
- Seoul (ICN) → Da Nang (DAD): ~5 hours — Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Seoul, Eastar Jet
- Seoul (ICN) → Nha Trang (CXR): ~5.5 hours — Korean Air, VietJet, T'way Air, Eastar Jet
- Seoul (ICN) → Phu Quoc (PQC): ~6 hours — VietJet, seasonal charters
- Busan (PUS) → Da Nang/HCMC: VietJet, Air Seoul, Jin Air
Da Nang is the most popular destination for Korean tourists, with dozens of weekly flights from multiple Korean cities.
Top Vietnam Destinations for Korean Tourists
The most popular destinations among Korean travelers:
- Da Nang / Hoi An — #1 destination for Koreans, beaches, Korean restaurants, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains
- Nha Trang — Beach resort city, mud baths, Vinpearl, popular with Korean package tours
- Ho Chi Minh City — Shopping, street food, nightlife, Cu Chi Tunnels
- Phu Quoc — Tropical island, growing Korean community, luxury resorts
- Hanoi — Cultural tourism, Ha Long Bay day trips, Old Quarter
- Sapa — Mountain trekking, rice terraces, cooler climate
- Dalat — Highland city, cool weather, flower gardens, canyoning
Tips for Korean Travelers (한국 여행자 팁)
Practical advice for Korean citizens visiting Vietnam:
- Korean Won (KRW) is not widely accepted — exchange to VND before arrival or at the airport
- Many tourist areas in Da Nang and Nha Trang have Korean-speaking staff and Korean restaurants
- Grab (ride-hailing app) works throughout Vietnam — set up before arrival
- Vietnam uses 220V electricity with Types A and C outlets — same as Korea (220V), adapters rarely needed
- The time difference is 2 hours behind Korea (Vietnam is GMT+7, Korea is GMT+9)
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs are available at all major airports for 100,000-200,000 VND
- Tipping is not required but appreciated at restaurants (5-10%)