Quick Answer
Not directly — Vietnam passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for a full stay. They can transit visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) through 60+ designated ports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an) when traveling to a third country.
Source: Chinese MFA, 2026
Vietnam is not on China's 30-day unilateral visa-free list, but since 2026-08-20 Vietnamese passport holders qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit: a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, entry and exit through designated ports across 24 provinces, and a stay of up to 10 days. For longer or non-transit stays a visa is required — apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Processing time 4-7 business days. Required documents: passport (6+ months validity), application form, photo, flight and hotel reservations, invitation letter (if applicable).
Cards that work: Visa, Mastercard
Often unreliable: American Express (rarely accepted at Chinese merchants), Discover and Diners Club (almost never accepted), Debit cards with foreign-transaction fees
| Provider | Data | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 5–20 | $9–$32 | Best China coverage of any eSIM; also works in Hong Kong and Macau. |
| Holafly | 5–unlimited | $19–$50 | Unlimited-data plans for heavy users. |
| Nomad | 5–20 | $11–$30 | Cheaper than Airalo with comparable coverage. |
VPN that works: Astrill (StealthVPN protocol), LetsVPN, NordVPN (obfuscated servers)
Avoid: Most free VPNs (unreliable in China) PureVPN CyberGhost
Eligible for the departure sales-tax refund — minimum spend ¥500.
Participating airports: Beijing Capital (T3), Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou Baiyun
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, No. 32 Guanghua Road, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600, China · +86 10 6532 1155 · +86 10 6532 1125 · Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 (consular/visa section typically 09:00-16:00; closed Sat/Sun and Chinese & Vietnamese public holidays)