Sri Lanka vs Vietnam Passport Comparison

Sri Lanka and Vietnam passports solve different travel problems, even when the headline comparison looks simple. For Sri Lanka passport holders, international travel still starts with paperwork more often than not. The passport ranks 93rd globally in 2026. Asian passports vary widely, so the difference between a top-tier and lower-tier passport is especially visible here. The direction has not all been positive: it stood at 74th in 2006. Access has still improved, rising from 22 to 39 destinations. The supporting scores are modest too, at 31 globally and 42 for openness. This passport leans heavily on arrival-based access rather than pure visa-free entry: 19 destinations offer visa on arrival, including Madagascar, Bolivia, and Burundi. There are also 19 visa-free destinations, such as Bahamas, Barbados, and Cook Islands. The practical advice is simple: check the visa route early and keep the 6-month validity buffer in mind before booking. Use this as planning data, not final permission to travel; official embassy or border-authority guidance should be checked before departure. Vietnam passport holders still have some useful travel routes, but the 2026 ranking tells a cautious story: 85th worldwide and 48 accessible destinations. It is slightly below its 2006 position of 78th. Access has widened meaningfully, from 18 destinations then to 48 now. This passport leans heavily on arrival-based access rather than pure visa-free entry: 24 destinations offer visa on arrival, including Madagascar, Bolivia, and Burundi. There are also 23 visa-free destinations, such as Barbados, Brunei, and Cambodia. The practical advice is simple: check the visa route early and keep the 6-month validity buffer in mind before booking. Use this as planning data, not final permission to travel; official embassy or border-authority guidance should be checked before departure. Reading those profiles together gives better context than a one-line winner label, because passport strength depends on where you travel, how often rules change, and whether the passport creates practical friction at borders, airlines, or visa portals.