The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is now available for Vietnamese travelers passing through major Chinese international airports. To ensure a smooth entry, make sure you have your flight tickets to a third country ready, along with hotel bookings and proof of funds. Most importantly, stay calm and be cooperative with immigration officers.
Another successful "guinea pig" here who managed the 240-hour visa-free transit in China! It was a bit of a bumpy ride, but I made it through eventually. I’m sharing my real-world experience here so you can learn from my journey.
Getting Ready for Your Transit Trip
Since August 20, 2026, China has officially included Vietnam in the list of countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. As the policy is still quite new and info can be a bit sketchy, I did a ton of research. Honestly, I missed China so much that I just decided to pack my bags and give it a shot.
I’ve always disliked applying for traditional visa stickers because the waiting time is a killer. Plus, my personal travel history is a bit "colorful"—I failed to get a sticker visa three times back in 2025, though I did get in fine later using group visas four times. Maybe I just look like a "villain" to immigration officers, but I always seem to get pulled aside for questioning regardless of the visa type.
Itinerary and Flight Bookings
My route was Ho Chi Minh City – Guangzhou (3 days) – Shenzhen (3 days) – Malaysia – Ho Chi Minh City. I booked all the legs separately on different airlines. Note that I collected my luggage right after clearing immigration in Guangzhou.
Given my past run-ins with immigration, I prepared my documents meticulously, and sure enough, I needed every single one of them during my session with the officers.
The Interview and Intense Screening at Guangzhou Airport
Upon arrival, they ushered me into a separate waiting area and held onto my passport. Then came the interrogation: four officers surrounded me, repeating the same questions over and over, even though I’d already given clear answers.
- Purpose of entry: I explained I was there for tourism and noted that I’d visited China plenty of times before.
- Travel companions: I was travelling solo. I clarified that any friends I have in Chengdu are just acquaintances.
- Documentation: I presented all my bookings from Trip.com and my flight tickets to the third country.
They also checked my phone and asked me to call my friends via WeChat to verify my story. I stayed fully cooperative because I just wanted the process to go smoothly. A heads-up: keep your private stuff on your phone well-secured. The whole area is under CCTV surveillance, so the officers remained professional throughout.
"Just stay calm, confident, and transparent, and you'll be fine," is my main takeaway from dealing with the immigration officers.
Quick Tips for Chinese Airports
After I clearly explained my itinerary and showed them my Alipay app as proof of funds, things were sorted. The whole process took over two hours.
From my experience, Guangzhou is definitely the strictest. While reports say that airports like Nanjing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Beijing are much more relaxed, Guangzhou has held me back twice—once in 2019 and again on this trip.
Crucial Advice to Avoid Being Denied Entry
Everything I’ve shared is based on my own experience. Your journey might be easier or harder—some people unfortunately do get denied entry. Having clear, well-organized paperwork significantly boosts your chances.
- Knowing some Mandarin is a huge advantage; it helps you explain things much faster.
- If you don't speak Mandarin, keep AI translation apps handy on your phone.
- Always keep a cool head and don't show any irritation when you're sent to the interview room.
Source: https://blog.dulichdau.com/kinh-nghiem-qua-canh-240h-visa-trung-quoc/
