Are you an American planning to travel to Vietnam? If so, perhaps you can’t wait to set your eyes on Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, one of the world’s most spectacular cave destinations. Alternatively, perhaps you’re excited by the thought of visiting My Son, an astonishing 4th-century Cham-era ruin temple.
In any case, to set foot in this famed Southeast country as a US citizen, you need a visa. At present, the Vietnamese government offers 2 forms of travel authorisation, namely:
- The Electronic Visa (eVisa) system. This system was launched in February 2017 to accompany the more cumbersome and established Visa Approval letter and Visa on Arrival (VoA) system. With this type of travel pass, you can enter the country once (Single Entry, not Multiple Entry) for a maximum of 30 days.
- The Visa Approval letter and VoA system. This way, with Byevisa you apply for an Approval letter to present to the immigration authorities when you arrive. Then they give you your travel document. This is more long-winded than the eVisa system, but the VoA allows you to enter Vietnam several times (Multiple Entry) for up to 90 days. So it’s ideal if you’re planning a long trip, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
Contents
- 1 Vietnam eVisa vs Visa on Arrival for Americans
- 2 Vietnam Visa Application Process for US Travellers
- 3 Visa Requirements for US Tourists
- 4 How Much Is the Vietnam Visa Cost for US Visitors?
- 5 Travelling to Vietnam as an American
- 6 USA Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam
- 7 Vietnam Visa FAQs for Americans
- 8 Full Information to Apply for Vietnam eVisa
Vietnam eVisa vs Visa on Arrival for Americans
Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of travel pass for you. With this, you can decide which type of travel authorisation best suits your trip.
The chief advantage of the Electronic Visa is its convenience. You apply online and receive your valid authorisation in your email inbox, no muss no fuss. However, as we say above, the eVisa is a Single Entry pass for only up to 30 days.
By comparison, the Approval letter and VoA system is more cumbersome, because it involves 2 steps before you receive your authorisation to enter Vietnam. That said, it’s a well-established system, and ideal if you’re either entering and exiting the country repeatedly, or to visit the country’s length and breadth over 90 days.
Vietnam Visa Application Process for US Travellers
To apply for either an eVisa or VoA as an American is simple. Just take these steps:
1. Choose whether to apply for the shorter eVisa or longer VoA, depending on your trip, and click ‘Apply for Visa’ below.
2. Enter your personal and passport information, including:
- Your email address.
- Your intended entry and exit dates from the country.
- Your first name, middle name if appropriate and last name.
- Your gender.
- Your nationality, as it appears on your passport.
- Your date of birth.
- The country where you were born.
- The country where you reside.
- Your passport number.
- Your passport’s issue date and expiry date.
- The type of visa you require, whether that’s an Electronic Visa or Visa on Arrival.
- Your port of arrival. For the full list, see our Vietnam Visa page.
3. Choose which Byevisa service you require, depending on how fast you want your visa. We offer Standard (5 business days), Rapid (4 business days) and Highly Rapid (3 business days) services.
4. Then, click ‘Make Payment’ and enter your debit/credit card details or pay via PayPal.
Visa Requirements for US Tourists
To apply for travel authorisation as an American, you must comply with the following conditions.
For the eVisa:
- Your passport must have at least 6 months´validity from when you arrive.
- You need a valid debit/credit card or PayPal account to pay for your application.
- You need a digital scan of your passport’s personal bio page and photograph.
For the VoA you need:
- A current passport with at least 6 months’ validity from when you get there.
- 2 passport-size photos, for the immigration authorities when you land.
- To pay the 25.00 USD fee for a Single Entry visa, and 50.00 USD fee for a Multiple Entry visa, when you arrive there.
Please note that with the eVisa you can enter through a variety of international airports, seaports and land points. By comparison, with the VoA you can only enter by air.
How Much Is the Vietnam Visa Cost for US Visitors?
The Electronic Visa costs 25.00 USD. By comparison, the Vietnam government charges no fee for the Approval letter, although you’ll pay USD25.00 or 50.00 USD when you arrive, depending on whether you want a Single Entry or Multiple Entry travel authorisation.
In addition, for Byevisa to process your application on your behalf, we charge a processing fee, depending on how fast you want your pass.
Travelling to Vietnam as an American
If you’re travelling as a US citizen, you’ll be in good company. 746,171 of your compatriots visited the Southeast Asian country in 2019, a total bettered by only 4 Asian nations, namely China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
When you enter Vietnam, there’s an excellent chance that you’ll be arriving by air. After all, 6 million of the country’s 7.6 million international visitors flew there in 2013.
Fortunately, the country boasts a number of quality international airports, and the most popular is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which serves Ho Chi Minh City. Noi Bai International Airport, serving Hanoi, is also a major air destination, while Cat Bi International Airport, Cam Ranh International Airport and Da Nang International Airport are also noteworthy.
Wherever you’re arriving in the country as an American and whatever you do, you can look forward to an outstanding trip. At present, the government there is investing US$1.32 billion to develop its international tourism program.
USA Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam
The chief US embassy is based in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Its opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, and its address is 4 Le Duan Blvd., District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition, there’s a major US embassy in the city of Hanoi too. Its address is Rose Garden Building, Second Floor, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi. Its opening hours are Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please note that both these US embassies are closed on Vietnamese and American holidays. You can contact either embassy in case of emergency while you’re there.
Vietnam Visa FAQs for Americans
Please find below more helpful information for Americans applying for a visa to visit Vietnam. We hope these answers resolve any remaining questions you may have.
Can All Americans Travel to Vietnam?
Yes, so long as you have a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity from your planned arrival date in Vietnam. You also need an eVisa or Visa on Arrival (VoA) to enter the country.
Is It Safe for Americans to Travel to Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam is a well-established tourist destination these days, so it’s safe for you to travel there as a US citizen. That said, be sure to exercise your common sense and avoid clearly insecure areas.
How Many Americans Are in Vietnam?
In 2019, 746,171 Americans visited Vietnam. By comparison, 687,226 US citizens visited in 2018, and 439,872 in 2011. So from 2019, that’s an 8.58% and 69.63% increase respectively.
What Do I Need to Know Before Travelling to Vietnam From US?
You can use both US dollars as well as Vietnamese dong, the local currency, when you’re there. The greenback is used in more “official” contexts like booking a tour, while it’s typical to pay at local restaurants or shops in dong.
Full Information to Apply for Vietnam eVisa
For a more detailed explanation of how to apply for a Vietnam eVisa or VoA with Byevisa, visit our Vietnam eVisa page here.
For other useful guidance about travelling to Vietnam, click here.