Southeast Asia’s travel visa policies have recently undergone several changes. Vietnam’s trial group visa exemption for Chinese citizens traveling to Khanh Hoa Province, home to Nha Trang, took effect on October 12 and will remain in place through December 31, 2027. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s temporary visa exemption pilot for Chinese citizens is scheduled to end on October 15. Travelers planning trips during the year-end and New Year period should check the rules applicable to their destination, passport type, and travel arrangements to avoid mistaking a temporary pilot program for a long-term visa exemption.
Under Vietnamese Government Resolution No. 325/NQ-CP, eligible travelers must hold valid Chinese ordinary passports and travel in groups of at least two as part of package tours organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies. They must fly directly from mainland China to Cam Ranh International Airport and depart via the same airport. Travel is restricted to Khanh Hoa Province, and the maximum permitted stay is 30 days. The policy does not apply to holders of Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR passports.
Cambodia’s temporary visa exemption pilot for holders of Chinese ordinary passports began on June 15, 2026, and is scheduled to end on October 15. During the pilot period, travelers can enter Cambodia without obtaining a visa in advance, stay for up to 14 days per entry, and make multiple entries, provided they complete the electronic arrival card as required. As of October 14, no official announcement confirming an extension had been found. Travelers planning to visit Cambodia after October 15 should therefore verify the latest policy before departure. In addition, Cambodia stopped issuing traditional paper visa stickers through its overseas embassies and consulates on October 3, shifting to electronic visa processing. Travelers who need a visa should confirm the applicable application procedures through official channels.
In Thailand, the unilateral 60-day visa exemption previously available to citizens of 93 countries and territories, including China, was revised with effect from September 15, 2026. However, Chinese citizens can still enter Thailand visa-free under the bilateral visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry and a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. This change does not mean that holders of Chinese ordinary passports must obtain a visa for tourism in Thailand. However, visa-free entry remains subject to immigration requirements. Travelers must observe the permitted length of stay and complete Thailand’s electronic arrival card as required.
