Home  ›  Vietnam  ›  Bulgaria
Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Vietnam citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?

Visa required

Vietnam citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Vietnam → Bulgaria
Embassyapply

Everything for your trip to Bulgaria

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Vietnam vs Bulgaria: passport comparison

Vietnam

24

visa-free countries

Global rank: #153 · mobility 80.7

Bulgaria

118

visa-free countries

Global rank: #35 · mobility 167
19

countries both Vietnam and Bulgaria can enter visa-free together

Vietnam + Bulgaria: passport compatibility

39%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Vietnam and Bulgaria travel together — by entry type:

19 both visa-free
16 both visa on arrival
24 both e-visa / eTA
17 both need a visa
121 access differs

Where Vietnam and Bulgaria can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Only Vietnam is visa-free (5)

Your odds of getting the visa: Vietnam → Bulgaria

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

5,4%
of Bulgaria visa applications refused in Vietnam
-9,1 pp below the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused less often than average
+1.5 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 3.9%, now 5.4%
2,726applications filed
2,445visas issued
148refusals
#84strictest of 118 countries
Where Bulgaria visa applications are filed: Hanoi

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in Vietnam — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: Vietnam → Bulgaria

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Vietnam → Bulgaria rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

2rule changes for the Vietnam passport, 2 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

Bulgaria: good to know

Sofia

Capital

Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Currency

Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

Time zone

+359

Calling code

Where else Vietnam goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for Bulgaria

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Vietnam citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?
Vietnam citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Vietnam or Bulgaria?
The Bulgaria passport is stronger: 118 visa-free countries versus 24. Global rank: Vietnam #153, Bulgaria #35.
Where can Vietnam and Bulgaria citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 19 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for Bulgaria?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Vietnam and Bulgaria?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Vietnam passport ranking

Where else the Vietnam passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport