Published on
October 16, 2025
Vietnam’s passport, according to recent global mobility rankings, has fallen four places and is tied for 92nd position with countries like Bhutan and Burundi. This ranking drop, explained in the Henley Passport Index, is mainly due to changes in international relations and visa policies, including the lifting of Taiwan from the Vietnamese traveler’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) list. Most importantly, the drop in Vietnam travel freedom severely decreases the Visa free access to 50 countries which severely limits the potential tourism and business interactions for Vietnamese passport holders and the growing global travel market.
Vietnam’s passport has faced a notable dip in the latest Henley Passport Index, dropping four places to rank 92nd globally in October 2025. The passport now offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 50 destinations out of a possible 227, a decline compared to previous months. This marks a shift in the country’s standing, sharing the 92nd position with other nations such as Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, and Liberia.
In comparison, Vietnam’s passport had previously seen an improvement, climbing seven spots to rank 84th in the July 2025 update. At that time, it offered visa-free access to 51 destinations. However, the recent update has reversed this progress, with the passport falling to the 88th position in September, and the October rankings showing a continued drop.
This decline in ranking highlights the fluid nature of global mobility, as travel freedom is constantly influenced by changes in visa policies. The Henley Passport Index, a respected global benchmark, tracks these shifts across 227 countries and territories. The index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without the need for pre-arranged visas. It draws on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ensuring its rankings are updated throughout the year to reflect policy changes.
Interestingly, the updated list reveals that Taiwan is no longer considered an electronic travel authorization (ETA) destination for Vietnamese travelers. This change marks a significant shift, as Vietnam’s travel freedom in certain regions has been restricted. The absence of Taiwan as an ETA option reduces the number of available destinations for passport holders, further contributing to the country’s decline in the rankings.
Southeast Asia’s Travel Freedom Landscape
When compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam still ranks higher than Laos (95th) and Myanmar (96th), but it continues to trail behind the region’s travel powerhouses, such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. These countries consistently rank at the top of the Henley Passport Index, with Singapore currently holding the coveted title of the world’s most powerful passport. Singaporean passport holders enjoy visa-free access to an impressive 193 destinations, followed by South Korea and Japan, which also provide expansive travel privileges for their citizens.
The Henley Passport Index not only highlights Vietnam’s ranking but also offers a broader view of the global travel landscape. Among the weakest passports in the world, countries like Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan have consistently ranked at the bottom of the list, illustrating the vast disparity in travel freedom across the globe.
Vietnam’s Travel Mobility in Focus
Despite its slip in the rankings, Vietnam’s passport continues to offer relatively good access for travelers within Southeast Asia. As the country seeks to expand its international presence, its government and diplomatic efforts will play a key role in improving its standing on the global stage. With the growing importance of travel freedom for business, tourism, and international relations, Vietnam’s passport may benefit from renewed agreements, visa liberalization initiatives, or changes in diplomatic relations that could restore some of the travel access it has lost.
For travelers, the Henley Passport Index provides a crucial tool for understanding the evolving global mobility landscape. As international travel becomes more integral to global trade, tourism, and education, passport rankings serve as a useful gauge for assessing the ease of international movement.
Vietnam’s passport now ranks 92nd on the Henley Passport Index, a 4-place drop since last October, losing various visa-free passport privileges, and most recently, losing visa-free access to Taiwan. The relative access loss translates to 50 destinations. Vietnamese passport holders still have limited relative travel opportunities.
Vietnam’s 92nd passport ranking illustrates a growing limitation on its citizens’ travel liberties. The Henley Passport Index illustrates the passport’s value and the potential geographical areas where citizens have visa-free access. The present analysis still signals limited access to regional destinations. The Henley Passport Index will remain a vital indicator to access potential shifts in visa regulations in the upcoming months and even years.
