Two visa-free paths — not nationwide 30-day entry
From 20 August 2026, Vietnamese citizens with an ordinary passport may (1) stay up to 240 hours visa-free when transiting to a third country through a designated port, or (2) stay up to 30 days inside Hainan Province after entering through a Hainan open port. A round-trip holiday around mainland China still needs a visa.
What this means for your trip
- Hainan 30-day stay: enter through a Hainan open port and remain in Hainan Province
- 240-hour transit: confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region
- Enter through an eligible 240-hour port and stay inside that port’s allowed area
- A mainland round-trip holiday that starts and ends at home still needs a visa
Notes for Vietnam passport holders
- From 20 August 2026, Vietnam is on China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit list (57 countries). A standalone Vietnam–China–Vietnam holiday still needs a visa.
- 240-hour transit requires an ordinary passport, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, and entry through one of 65 designated ports (Beijing, Shanghai, and others).
- The same announcement also lets Vietnamese ordinary-passport holders enter through Hainan’s open ports and stay up to 30 days inside Hainan Province only — not a nationwide mainland visa-free stay.
- Typical Vietnam land borders (Hekou, Dongxing, and similar) are not a substitute for an eligible 240-hour port. Do not assume visa-free land entry into Guangxi or Yunnan.
Route planning
Common air entries include Guangzhou, Nanning, Kunming, and Shenzhen from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; Haikou and Sanya for Hainan-only stays.
240-hour transit
Your passport (Vietnam) is on China’s 240-hour transit visa-free list. Entering via Shanghai Pudong International Airport Port allows a stay within Shanghai Municipality, subject to transit conditions.
The permitted stay area depends on your entry port. Enter your exact route in the checker before relying on this option.