Vietnamese passport climbs in latest Henley Global Rankings
DNO - Vietnam’s passport has moved up two places in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, rising from 92nd to 90th in the December update of the global ranking.
While the position remains below Vietnam’s 2024 ranking of 87, the improvement reflects gradual progress in international mobility for Vietnamese citizens.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports based on access to 199 countries and territories, and is widely regarded as a benchmark of global mobility.
According to the index, Vietnamese passport holders are now able to travel to 50 destinations either visa-free or with simplified entry arrangements such as e-visas, visas on arrival, or electronic travel authorizations.
Beyond ranking individual passports, the index also measures national openness. In this category, Vietnam is ranked 80th, granting visa-free entry to nearly 40 destinations.
Analysts note that this indicator reflects not only travel convenience but also a country’s level of integration and openness in international relations.
Most destinations offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Vietnamese citizens are located within Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.
Additional destinations include island nations such as Maldives, the Cook Islands, Comoros, and Cape Verde, which have become increasingly popular among Vietnamese travelers.
Historically, Vietnam’s passport ranking has fluctuated over the two decades since the Henley index was first published.
The highest position Vietnam has achieved was 78th, recorded in 2006 and 2007. Other notable rankings include 79th in 2008-2009, 81st in 2013-2014, and 84th in 2010.
At the top of the 2025 ranking, Singapore continues to hold the world’s most powerful passport, with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 193 destinations.
In terms of national openness, Singapore ranks 15th globally.
Malaysia has emerged as a new entrant in the top 10, also gaining two places, with visa-free access to 181 destinations. The Asia-Pacific region now accounts for seven of the world’s top 10 passports.
The United States remains just outside the top 10 at 11th, while ranking 77th for national openness.