Do I have to carry my passport with me everywhere in Vietnam?

Foreigners are expected to carry their passport or a residence document, and police can ask to see it. In practice many travelers carry a photo or copy during the day and keep the original in the hotel safe. Some officers accept a copy, and some do not, so use your judgment and ask your hotel.

Take the original when you travel between cities, take a domestic flight, check in to a hotel, change money in some places, or rent a vehicle. Hotels need to register your passport on check-in.

Never leave the only copy of your passport and visa in one place. Keep a scan of your passport, visa and arrival card in your email and phone.

If your passport is lost or stolen, see what to do next on our Vietnam travel guide. For a visa lookup, use evisa.gov.vn with your registration code.