Vietnam passport climbs 6 places in global ranking, highest position in 5 years
DNO - The Vietnam passport has risen to 84th place worldwide, marking its highest ranking in the past five years, according to the latest update released in March by the Henley Passport Index.
The improvement represents a two-place increase from January. This signals gradual progress in the country’s international mobility standing and reflects ongoing efforts to expand travel opportunities for Vietnamese citizens.
Growing travel access for Vietnamese citizens
Under current regulations, Vietnamese passport holders can access 48 destinations globally without obtaining a visa in advance. These destinations allow entry either through visa-free policies or simplified procedures such as e-visas, visas on arrival, or electronic travel authorizations (ETA).
At its current position, Vietnam’s passport shares 84th place with Angola, Burundi and the Central African Republic. The ranking improvement highlights the gradual expansion of Vietnam’s diplomatic engagement and bilateral agreements with other countries.
Many of the visa-free destinations for Vietnamese citizens are located within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia allow Vietnamese travelers to enter without a visa for short stays, facilitating tourism, business exchanges and regional mobility.
The latest ranking also brings Vietnam closer to its historical peak of 78th place, which the country achieved during the 2006 - 2007 period. Improving passport strength often reflects broader diplomatic relations, visa agreements, and international trust in a country’s travel documentation system.
Global leaders in passport power
At the top of the global ranking, Singapore continues to hold the title of the world’s most powerful passport, granting its citizens visa-free access to 192 destinations.
In second place, Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share access to 187 destinations without requiring a visa beforehand.
Sweden ranks third with access to 186 destinations, while other passports within the global top ten remain dominated by developed Western nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada and the United States.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, noted that 2026 is expected to record the highest level of global travel on record.
With data covering 199 passports and 227 destinations over a 20-year period, the Henley Passport Index, widely regarded as one of the most authoritative global passport rankings, is updated monthly and remains a key reference for assessing global mobility.
It is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which provides extensive information on international travel regulations.
Beyond its practical significance for travelers, the index also serves as an indicator of a country’s diplomatic relationships, international integration and global connectivity.
For Vietnam, the latest rise in the rankings reflects steady progress in expanding travel access for its citizens, as the country continues to deepen international partnerships and strengthen its presence on the global stage.