Cambodia visa for Vietnamese citizens — ASEAN exemption and stay

TL;DR

• Vietnamese citizens holding an ordinary passport are visa-exempt for Cambodia: visa-free entry, exit and transit for a stay of up to 30 days. Vietnam and Cambodia are both ASEAN members and bound by a bilateral visa-exemption agreement.
• Arriving by air: the e-Arrival card is mandatory since 1 September 2024, even when visa-exempt. Many Vietnamese travellers, however, arrive overland (Bavet–Moc Bai is the busiest crossing), where e-Arrival does not apply the same way.
• Vietnam-Cambodia tax treaty IN FORCE since 1 January 2019 — an advantage for long-term residents and cross-border investment.

Visa exemption (ASEAN)

Cambodia grants a visa exemption to ASEAN nationals. For Vietnam, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAIC) official exemption list shows 30 days for ordinary passports (as for diplomatic and official passports).

The exemption rests on the bilateral agreement between Vietnam and Cambodia, on a reciprocal basis (a Cambodian ordinary-passport holder likewise gets 30 days visa-free in Vietnam).

ASEAN nationals exempt on entry to Cambodia: Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia (30 days); Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar (14 days).

Entry and permitted stay

Practical conditions on entry, under the exemption:

• Vietnamese ordinary passport valid ≥ 6 months after the entry date.
• Passport undamaged: entry is normally refused with a damaged passport or missing pages.
• 1 blank page for the entry stamp.
• Stay of up to 30 days under the exemption. The exemption does not allow an extension the way a tourist visa would: to stay longer, enter on a suitable visa, or exit and re-enter.

Beyond the exemption: EB or ER

The 30-day exemption covers a short stay (tourism, visits, occasional business). To live or work in Cambodia beyond that, the exemption is not enough: enter on an ordinary (E) visa, then switch to the right sub-category.

• EB (Ordinary Business) for working/founding a company; renewed yearly with an MLVT work permit and NSSF social-security registration. See EB visa guide.
• ER (Ordinary Retired) for retirees > 55 with pension proof; renewable indefinitely. See ER visa guide.

Tax: treaty in force

Vietnam is one of Cambodia’s treaty partners. The Vietnam-Cambodia double-taxation agreement (DTA) is in force and applies to income from 1 January 2019. Vietnam sits alongside Singapore, Thailand, China, Brunei and others on the official treaty list kept by the GDT (Cambodia’s tax authority).

For a Vietnamese resident in Cambodia:

• Treaty relief is available on certain income (eliminating the risk of double taxation, with tax credits and reduced cross-border withholding).
• The treaty provides residency tie-breaker rules where both countries treat you as resident.
• Cambodia taxes residency beyond 183 days of presence — see the tax residence guide.

FAQ

Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Cambodia?

No, for a short stay. Ordinary-passport holders are visa-exempt under the ASEAN bilateral agreement: 30 days visa-free entry, per the MFAIC official list. Beyond 30 days, or to work, a suitable visa (E → EB/ER) is needed.

How long can you stay without a visa?

Up to 30 days per entry, with an ordinary passport valid at least 6 months. This is not extendable under the exemption (unlike a tourist visa). For a longer stay, enter on an ordinary (E) visa.

Is e-Arrival mandatory even without a visa?

For an air arrival, yes: e-Arrival at arrival.gov.kh has been mandatory since 1 September 2024, regardless of the visa exemption. For a land entry (Bavet–Moc Bai, Kaam Samnor), e-Arrival primarily targets air travel; check current formalities at the border post.

Is there a Vietnam-Cambodia tax treaty?

Yes. A double-taxation agreement is in force and applies to income from 1 January 2019. It provides relief on certain income and residency tie-breaker rules. On the Cambodian side, tax residency applies beyond 183 days of presence.

Can you work in Cambodia under the visa exemption?

No. The exemption allows a short stay but not work. To work you need an EB visa plus an MLVT work permit. A large Vietnamese community lives in Cambodia; formal employment goes through this route.