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Vietnam’s passport ranks 84th globally in the latest Henley Passport Index (HPI), tied with Angola, Burundi, and the Central African Republic. The ranking represents a two-place improvement from January’s 86th position and a six-place rise from December 2025. With the current score, Vietnamese citizens can travel visa-free to 48 destinations, or use an e-visa, visa on arrival, or ETA (electronic travel authorization).
Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s passport ranks above Cambodia (85), Laos (87), and Myanmar (90). The index also notes that Cambodia’s passport had previously ranked higher than Vietnam’s.
Singapore remains the world’s most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 192 countries and territories. Japan and South Korea share second place with the UAE, each with visa-free access to 187 destinations.
Sweden holds third place with visa-free entry to 186 countries and territories. Fourth place is shared by 12 countries tied at 185 points: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Fifth place is held by Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal, with visa-free access to 184 destinations.
For the 2026 passport ranking updated to March 12, passports from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—achieved the highest ranks in more than 20 years of HPI data. The update reflects data through February 2026, ahead of the United States and Israel’s actions toward Iran.
The UAE rose the most, moving from a top-10 position in 2025 to a top-2 position this year, with 187 visa-free destinations. Researchers at Nomad Capitalist cited the UAE’s strong advantage in mobility and a positive international image, noting that global travel access exceeds that of many peers.
The report also points to competitive tax policies, including no personal income tax and favorable corporate taxation. It further highlights a high Human Development Index, economic stability, and the UAE’s role as a global trading, financial, and international aviation hub.
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