Vietnam Visa For USA Tourists 2024 | Visa At The Embassy, Visa On Arrival & Electronic Visa

With more than half of the population is able to communicate in English, Vietnam is a worth-visiting destination for US tourists not only because of manifold accessible activities but also endearing scenic spots. So how can the US tourists apply for Vietnam Visa to pay a visit to this wonderful country? Here is a full detailed instruction.

Vietnam Visa requirements for US tourists

It is obligatory for US tourists to apply for a valid visa in order to enter Vietnam. Your US passport must meet the following entry requirements:

• Must be valid for at least 06 months beyond the arrival date
• Must have minimum 2 blank pages for for visa stamp

How to apply

There are a total of three means for US citizens to apply for a Vietnam Visa. Each requires different documentation as well as process; make sure you have the best preparation to increase the success rate.

1.   Visa application through the Embassy of Vietnam in USA

US passport holders can certainly visit the local Vietnam Embassy, located in Washington DC, to apply for a Vietnam visa. This is the traditional and most familiar option for U.S. passport holders. Yet, it requires a lot of document preparation and higher costs compared with others. However, if you are not based in Washington, it will be a significant inconvenience.

Vietnam Embassy in the United States of America

Required documents for visa application through Vietnam Embassy

Apart from the entry requirements, you have to prepare:

• Vietnam visa application form: You can download the form online or directly get it at the Embassy
• 02 personal photos taken with white background (size 3x4cm and taken within 06 months)
• Copies of documents with the proof of entering Vietnam, for example, airline tickets, hotel reservation confirmation and so forth
• Fee amount: Contact Vietnam Embassy for detailed information.

Process of visa application through Vietnam Embassy

1. Fully prepare all the required documents
2. Submit the visa application form and pay the application fee (please note that the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable)
3. Arrange an appointment to re-visit and receive the results of your visa application from the Vietnam Embassy; in case you are unable to pick up the visa, you can register to Vietnam embassy to send it through the post office with a certain fee.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam visa when applying through Vietnam Embassy

Those who apply for a Vietnam visa will usually receive the result within 5 to 7 working days (excluding both US and Vietnam holidays), depending on the appointment of the Vietnam embassy.

2.   Visa on arrival

An on-arrival visa is gaining more preference from many US tourists due to its simplicity and convenience. Going with this option, you only need to contact with Vietnam travel agents or visa agencies to obtain a “visa approval letter” prior to arriving at the departure airport and using it to get a visa stamp upon Vietnam airport arrival.

Required documents

Apply for the visa approval letter

• Provide the information needed to credible travel or visa agencies, such as your full name, nationality, gender, date of birth, and passport number. In some cases, you are also in need of providing your air ticket, hotel booking, and a copy of the passport.
• Service fees (vary according to the company costs and visa type, usually ranging from $6 to $50).

Obtain the visa stamp at Vietnam airport

Apart from the entry requirements, you have to prepare:

• Visa approval letter (previously obtained from the agency).
• Visa application form (received via email from the agency).
• Fee amount: $25 for single entry visa and $50 for multiple entry visa (no longer than 3 months of staying).

visa on arrival submission in Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)

Process of on-arrival visa application

1. Look for a truth-worthy and professional visa agency, provide required information, then pay the service fees for approval letter (the fee is refundable if your application is unsuccessful). You can click here to apply the visa approval letter online.
2. Receive and print out your visa approval letter during plane boarding.
3. After arriving at Vietnam International Airport, find the visa upon arrival counter to submit the visa approval letter along with your passport to obtain a visa stamp on your passport.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam on-arrival visa

It usually takes within 02 working days for you to receive a visa approval letter. If you are in a pinch, contact with your agency and pay additional fees to receive the letter from an hour to a day.

3.   Electronic Visa (E-Visa)

In case you do not have a generous amount of time or want to depend on a third-party for visa application entirely, E-Visa is an ultimate solution. Although eligible for all U.S. citizens. E-visa, however, is only applicable for a single entry with the longest stay of 30 days.

A sample of Vietnam E-Visa

Required documents

Apart from the entry requirements, you have to prepare:

• A personal photo (600×400 pixel and taken within 06 months).
• A scanned passport photo (information page)
• Your Visa Card or MasterCard (used to pay the visa fees later).
• Fee amount: $40

Process of E-visa application

1. Access the Government E-visa application website to register; or apply through an E-visa agent. You can click here to apply Evisa online.
2. Fill in all required information on the website; then upload your scanned photo and passport.
3. Pay for the E-visa application fee; you will further receive an email for payment confirmation.
4. Receive your E-visa via email and print it out.

Processing time to obtain a Vietnam E-visa

The U.S applicators normally receives their E-visa in 02 working days. You can keep track of your application process by chat support or email.

The aforementioned has offered insights into existing means of Vietnam tourists Visa application for US citizens. Depends on your personal situation and travelling plan, you can thoroughly consider and go with the most suitable visa type. Do not forget to choose to work with well-grounded agencies and have the most well-prepared documentation of yours to smooth the application process.