Vietnam Visa for Us Citizens
- Highlights
- Do US passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
- Are there exceptions or visa exemptions available?
- Can US citizens get an e-visa?
- Can US citizens get a visa-on-arrival?
- Vietnam E-visa versus Vietnam Visa-on-arrival - Which one is better?
- Can US citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?
- Summary
- Visa samples and downloads
As of 2025, US citizens must have a valid visa to enter Vietnam and are eligible for the 90-day E-visa (single/multiple entry). The following documents may be required:
- U.S. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the exit date.
- Passport has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Type of visa | Requirements | Maximum stay |
---|---|---|
Tourist visa | Visa required | N/A |
E-visa | Eligible | 90 days |
Highlights
- All US citizens require a visa to enter Vietnam.
- US citizens can apply for an e-visa, visa on arrival, or a visa sticker through a local Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
- Processing time varies from 3-7 working days, visa fee starts from 25 USD, with fast-track service available.
Do US passport holders need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes.
US passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam. This applies to all purposes of entry, including:
- Tourism
- Business
- Visiting relatives
- Investment
- Journalism
Are there exceptions or visa exemptions available?
Can US citizens get an e-visa?
Yes.
In fact this is now the most convenient way for US visitors to obtain a visa for Vietnam.
Validity
Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
Processing time and fee
Processing time: 3–7 business days
Fee: $25 (single entry) or $50 (multiple entry)
How to apply
Apply online via the official government portal: evisa.gov.vn
Or apply through a visa agency.
If you apply for an e-visa with us the processing time and fees are as follows:
Type of visa | Processing time | Fee* |
---|---|---|
1 Month Multiple Entry (Tourism) | Standard processing (5-7 working days) | 80 USD |
Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri) | 115 USD | |
Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri) | 123 USD | |
Emergency (4 Working Hours) | 148 USD | |
3 Month Multiple Entry (Tourism) | Standard processing (5-7 working days) | 80 USD |
Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri) | 115 USD | |
Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri) | 123 USD | |
Emergency (4 Working Hours) | 148 USD | |
3 Month Single Entry (Tourism) | Standard processing (5-7 working days) | 55 USD |
Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri) | 90 USD | |
Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri) | 98 USD | |
Emergency (4 Working Hours) | 123 USD | |
1 Month Single Entry (Tourism) | Standard processing (5-7 working days) | 55 USD |
Urgent 2 Working Days (Mon-Fri) | 90 USD | |
Urgent 1 Working Day (Mon-Fri) | 98 USD | |
Emergency (4 Working Hours) | 123 USD |
* The fee already includes visa processing fee and government visa fee
Can US citizens get a visa-on-arrival?
Yes.
But please note that you need a pre-approved visa letter before boarding the plane to Vietnam. Upon arrival at Vietnamese airport you need to present this letter along with your passport to get the visa stamp and enter Vietnam.
Validity
Up to 30 days, single or multiple entry
Processing time and fee
Processing time: 3–5 business days
Fee: $25 (single entry) or $50 (multiple entry) plus the visa approval letter fee.
How to apply
Apply online through a visa agency.
If you apply for a visa-on-arrival with us the processing time and fees are as follows:
Type of visa | Processing time | Fee* |
---|---|---|
1 Month Single Entry | 05 Working Days | 25 USD |
03 Working Days | 55 USD | |
02 Working Days | 65 USD | |
Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours) | Contact us | |
3 Month Single Entry | 05 Working Days | 35 USD |
03 Working Days | 55 USD | |
02 Working Days | 75 USD | |
Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours) | Contact us | |
1 Month Multiple Entry | 05 Working Days | 35 USD |
03 Working Days | 65 USD | |
02 Working Days | 75 USD | |
Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours) | Contact us | |
3 Month Multiple Entry | 05 Working Days | 45 USD |
03 Working Days | 75 USD | |
02 Working Days | 85 USD | |
Super Urgent (2-4 Working Hours) | Contact us |
* The fee does NOT include the visa stamp fee at the Vietnam airport.
Vietnam E-visa versus Vietnam Visa-on-arrival - Which one is better?
It depends on your personal preference.
Below we list the pros and cons of Vietnam e-visa and Vietnam visa on arrival which you can decide which one works best for you as US citizens.
E-Visa | Visa On Arrival | |
---|---|---|
US citizens can apply | Yes | Yes |
Airport/ Seaport/ Landport | All airports/ Seaports/ Landports | Only airport |
Max stay | 90 days | 30 days |
Wait time at airport | None | 30 minutes on average |
Processing time | 3-5 working days | 2-4 working days |
Fast track service available | Yes | Yes |
Fastest processing time (fast-track service) | 4-8 hours | 2 hours |
Document received | E-visa (pdf) to your email |
- Visa approval letter (pdf) to your emai
- Visa stamp at Vietnam airport |
Fee | $25-$50 | Varies |
How easy to obtain (out of 5 with 5 being the easier) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Pros | No need to wait at Vietnam airport | No need to submit photo thus reduce risk of delay |
Cons | Can meet with delay if you do not submit quality passport photos and photos scan | 30 minutes wait time at Vietnam airport to get visa stamp |
Common issues |
Wrong details on application (name spelling/ name order/ date of birth/ passport
expiration date)
Photos do not meet requirement (photo format, background light) |
Forget to obtain the visa approval letter prior to boarding plane |
* Note: In 2024, out of 779,795 United States visitors to Vietnam, 88% applied online for e-visas, and only 7% (54,586 travelers) used the visa on arrival service. (Sources: immigration.gov.vn/vietnamtourism.gov.vn)
Can US citizens apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy?
Yes.
You can apply in person or by mail for a visa to enter Vietnam at the closest
Vietnamese Embassy or consulate. Since each of them can require a slightly different
set of documents it is best to contact them directly and fulfill the requirement.
Below is the listings of Vietnamese embassies and consulates in United States:
Tel: +1 212-644-2535
Fax: 1-212-644-5732
Email: info@vietnamconsulate-ny.org
Website: https://vnconsulate-new-york.mofa.gov.vn/
Tel: (1) 713-850-1233
Fax: (1) 713-871-0312
Email: Tlsqhouston@mofa.gov.vn
Website: https://vnconsulate-houston.mofa.gov.vn/
Tel: (+415) 9221707 or (+415) 9221577
Fax: (+415) 9221848 or (+415) 9221757
Email: info@vietnamconsulate-sf.org
Website: https://vnconsulate-san-francisco.mofa.gov.vn/
Tel: (202) 861-0737
Fax: (202) 861-0917
Email: vanphong@vietnamembassy.us
Website: https://vnembassy-washington.mofa.gov.vn/
Office closures
Office hours may change during Vietnamese and US public holidays. Please contact the consular office in advance to confirm opening times.
Holiday | Date |
---|---|
Independence Day | July 4, 2025 |
Labor Day | Sept. 1, 2025 |
Independence Day | Sept. 2, 2025 |
Columbus Day | Oct. 13, 2025 |
Summary
- US visitors need a valid passport and visa to enter Vietnam.
- Current available method of application: e-visa/ visa-on-arrival/ visa at the embassy.
- Allow at least 2 weeks in advance of your trip to apply for your visa. However if you are late you can always get a fast track service to get the visa on time for your travel.
- Take into account Vietnam public holiday which will affect your visa processing time.
- Each method of visa application requires a different set of information, make sure to read instructions carefully and provide the necessary information and documents.
Visa samples and downloads
Questions and Answers (28)
I will be cruising to the ports of (Hanoi) Halong Bay for one day, Hue (Da Nang) for one day, and Ho Chi Minh City(Phu My) for 2 days. We will spend one night at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City before returning to the ship. Do I need a multi city visa- and can it be an e visa? There are 2 of us.
@Karen Rosenthal, you will only need a single-entry visa, as you are visiting multiple cities within Vietnam on the same trip.
Per someone providing me poor advice, I submitted my visa application through Sherpa on 2/18 (and was told it would be ready no later than 2/26. It is now 3/7 and I still have no visa (they say it is still processing) and I'm leaving on 3/12. Am I able to apply for a quick visa through your company even if there is already a visa application pending with my passport number? Sherpa is unresponsive and has not provided me with any sort of confimaiton #.
@Lisa, there is no issue with submitting a new e-visa application on our website and receiving it on the same day. However, we recommend that you first contact Sherpa for assistance. You can reach them at:
https://support.joinsherpa.com/hc/en-us/categories/360005216211-Agent-s-Help-Center
Please click on “Submit ticket” for support.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use the e-Visa if I fly from countries other than United States?
Yes.
2. How to renew my Vietnamese passport in the US?
If you are a Vietnamese citizen living in the US, you can renew your passport either in person or by mail through the local Embassy/Consulate. You will need to prepare the required documents, including a completed application form, two passport-sized photos, and the application fee. The process usually takes 7–14 working days.
3. Are U.S. passports eligible for a Vietnamese e-visa?
Yes, U.S. passports are eligible for a Vietnamese e-visa. However, it is only valid for a single entry and for stays up to 90 days.
4. Do I need a visa if I am a Vietnamese born living in the US?
If you are a Vietnamese-born individual residing in the US and hold a valid Vietnamese passport, you can return to Vietnam without requiring a visa. However, if you only have a US passport, you can apply for a 5-year visa exemption.
5. I am a US green card holders, can I apply for a visa on arrival?
Yes, U.S. green card holders traveling for tourism purposes can apply for a Vietnam visa on arrival. You can find more details about the visa on arrival process here!
6. Can Americans get a 1-year visa for Vietnam?
Currently, a 1-year visa is not available for U.S. passport holders. The maximum stay you can obtain is a 90-day visa.
7. Are individuals with U.S. nationality eligible to apply for a Vietnam e-visa?
Yes, US nationals are eligible to request an e-visa for travel to Vietnam. Instructions for obtaining an e-visa from the United States can be found here.
8. What's the yearly number of tourists coming from United States to Vietnam?
Contact sales if you have additional questions.
Contact support if you already submitted your visa application on our website.
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