Vietnam has opened a visa-free pilot for Chinese tour groups arriving through Cam Ranh International Airport, the gateway to Nha Trang and the wider Khanh Hoa coast. It is a narrow, airport-specific waiver rather than a nationwide visa change, and it is worth understanding exactly who qualifies before assuming it applies to an individual trip.
What the New Rule Actually Covers
Under Resolution (Nghị quyết) 59, Chinese nationals holding ordinary passports can now enter Vietnam visa-free when traveling as part of a group of two or more people, booked through a licensed Vietnamese tour operator, and entering specifically via Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa province. The pilot runs from October 12, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
The waiver is deliberately limited in three ways. It only applies to entry through Cam Ranh, not other Vietnamese airports or land borders. It only covers group travel arranged through a licensed agency, not independent travelers booking their own flights and hotels. And it is specific to this one province and airport, rather than a change to Vietnam’s general e-visa or visa-exemption policy for Chinese passport holders.
Why Khanh Hoa and Cam Ranh Specifically
Khanh Hoa, and Nha Trang in particular, has long been one of the most popular Vietnamese coastal destinations for Chinese group tourism, well before this pilot. Removing the visa step for group arrivals at Cam Ranh is a direct push to grow that flow further, giving tour operators a faster, cheaper booking process for group packages built around Nha Trang’s beaches and resorts rather than requiring every traveler to arrange an individual visa first.
For travelers planning a Nha Trang trip around this window, it’s worth knowing what else changes on arrival — Vietnam’s pre-arrival entry card and standard airport procedures still apply regardless of visa status, and our guide to what to expect at Vietnamese airports covers the practical side of landing at Cam Ranh.
How This Fits Vietnam’s Broader Visa Push
This pilot follows a string of other visa moves this year, including a separate visa track announced for high-spending tourists, as part of a broader effort to hit Vietnam’s 2026 visitor targets — the country has already reported 17.7 million visitors in the first nine months of the year, 71% of the annual goal. Group tourism from China is a meaningful part of that growth story, and this waiver is a targeted way to remove friction specifically at the Nha Trang gateway.
Travelers planning a Nha Trang stay around the new rule should book accommodation early — Khanh Hoa’s beachfront hotels and resorts fill up quickly during group-tour season, and comparing options through Stay22 alongside a hotel’s own site is worth doing before committing to dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Cam Ranh visa waiver?
Chinese nationals with ordinary passports, traveling in a group of two or more, booked through a licensed Vietnamese tour operator, and entering through Cam Ranh International Airport specifically.
Does this apply to independent travelers?
No. The waiver only covers group bookings made through a licensed agency — independent Chinese travelers still need Vietnam’s standard e-visa or visa-on-arrival process.
How long does the pilot run?
From October 12, 2026 through December 31, 2027, under Resolution 59.
Does the waiver apply at other Vietnamese airports?
No — it is specific to Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa province, not a nationwide visa exemption.
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