Vietnam Passport Ranking Falls to 89th in Latest Global Index

Vietnam's Passport Drops to 89th Spot

Vietnam's passport has recently seen its global standing diminish, falling to 89th place on the latest Henley Passport Index. This ranking indicates that holders of a Vietnamese passport can access only 49 destinations worldwide without needing to obtain a visa in advance.

The Henley Passport Index, which assesses global travel freedom, shows Vietnam sharing this position with several other nations, including Angola, Egypt, Haiti, and Jordan. This updated status reflects a shift in international mobility for Vietnamese citizens compared to earlier assessments throughout the year.

Fluctuations in Global Mobility

The current 89th position marks a decline for Vietnam's passport, which has experienced some volatility in its ranking over the past year. Earlier in 2026, in January, the passport was ranked 86th, also providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 49 destinations. It then saw a brief improvement, climbing two places to 84th by March.

Looking further back, in 2025, Vietnam's passport held the 91st position. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of global visa policies and their impact on international travel freedom.

Regional Comparison in Southeast Asia

Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam's passport trails significantly behind many of its regional counterparts. Singapore continues to hold the title of the world's most powerful passport, granting visa-free entry to 193 destinations. Other strong performers in the region include Malaysia at 6th globally, Thailand at 66th, Indonesia at 71st, and the Philippines at 75th.

Vietnam's passport does, however, rank above Cambodia (91st), Laos (92nd), and Myanmar (94th) within the Southeast Asian bloc. Globally, the Henley Passport Index identifies Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan as holding the five weakest passports.

Implications for Vietnamese Travellers

This revised ranking means Vietnamese travellers face more extensive visa application processes for international trips compared to citizens of many neighbouring countries. For instance, a Vietnamese passport holder requires a visa for destinations that a Malaysian or Thai citizen can enter freely.

The Henley Passport Index, which relies on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is updated regularly, serves as a critical measure of global mobility.

The current standing may prompt Vietnamese authorities to pursue more reciprocal visa agreements to enhance travel freedom for its citizens, a development that would directly benefit both leisure and business travellers from Vietnam.