Can a person under the age of 14 enter Vietnam?
May I ask about the conditions of entry into Vietnam? I am Vietnamese living abroad. My child is 13 years old but does not have Vietnamese nationality. He wants to come back to Vietnam to play, because I'm busy so he will go home alone first. Will my child be allowed to enter Vietnam?
Pursuant to Clause 11, Article 1 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam as amended in 2019, regulations on conditions for entry into Vietnam are as follows:
1. A foreigner shall be permitted for entry if he/she:
a) possesses a passport or documents enabling international travel, except for cases of visa-free entry as specified in this Law.
Passport of a foreigner wishing to make entry in form of unilateral visa-free must be valid at least for another 6 months; and
b) does not fall into categories of entry suspension specified in Article 21 of this Law.
2. A foreigner making entry on electronic visas must fully satisfy all conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article and make entry via international border checkpoints decided by the Government.
According to Article 21 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners 2014 on the following cases of inadmissibility into Vietnam:
1. Any of the conditions in Clause 1 Article 20 of this Law is not satisfied.
2. Children under 14 years of age without parents, guardians or authorized custodians.
3. Forging papers or providing false information to obtain entry/exit/residence permit.
4. Any person suffering from a mental disease or infectious disease that threatens the public health.
5. Any person that was deported from Vietnam within the last 03 years.
6. Any person that was compelled to leave Vietnam within the last 06 months.
7. For reasons of epidemic prevention.
8. For reasons of natural disasters.
9. For reasons of national defense, national security, social order, and social safety
Thus, for the case of his child, since he is only 13 years old, it is mandatory to have a parent, guardian or person authorized to accompany him. In the absence of these conditions, other conditions will not be accepted into Vietnam. If your child satisfies the condition that he/she has a parent, guardian or person authorized to accompany him/her, he/she shall still be allowed to enter Vietnam.
Best Regards!
