Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. The United States is not on Vietnam's visa-exemption list, so every American traveller needs a visa – including children and travellers of Vietnamese origin entering on a US passport. Almost everyone now uses the Vietnam e-Visa, which is applied for online before you fly.
The one exception is Phu Quoc island: if you fly directly into Phu Quoc and stay on the island, you can stay up to 30 days without a visa. As soon as you travel on to the mainland, you need a visa. See the full list in Vietnam visa requirements by nationality.
The Vietnam e-Visa at a glance
| Vietnam e-Visa | |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Citizens of every country, since 15 August 2023 |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days |
| Entries | Single or multiple |
| Government fee | USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple) – not refundable if refused |
| Official processing | About 3 working days; allow up to 5 in busy periods |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months from your entry date |
| Where to apply | Official portal evisa.gov.vn, or through a licensed agency |
What you need to apply
- A US passport valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Vietnam
- A clear photo of the passport data page, including the two machine-readable lines at the bottom
- A recent portrait photo on a white background, without glasses
- Your planned entry date and the airport where you will land
- An email address where the approved e-Visa can be sent
How long does it take?
The Immigration Department processes a normal application in about 3 working days. Our standard service takes about 5 business days; if your flight is closer, choose an urgent option:
| Option | Submit (Vietnam time) → result |
|---|---|
| Standard | About 5 business days |
| Urgent 3 days | Submit 08:00–16:30 → result after 2 days (17:00) |
| Urgent 2 days | Submit 08:00–16:30 → result the next day |
| Urgent 1 day | 08:00–10:00 → same day 17:00 10:30–16:30 → next day 12:00 |
| Urgent 4 hours | Before 09:00 → 11:30 09:00–14:30 → same day 17:00 |
| Urgent 2 hours | Before 15:00 → same day 17:00 |
| Urgent 1 hour | About 1 hour (during working hours) |
| Weekend & public holiday | Submit 08:00–14:30 → same day 17:00 |
Time difference: Vietnam (GMT+7) is 11–12 hours ahead of New York and 14–15 hours ahead of Los Angeles. 08:00 on a Tuesday in Vietnam is 8 pm Monday in New York and 5 pm Monday in Los Angeles (winter time), so an order placed on a US evening is handled during the Vietnamese working day.
Mistakes that delay US applications
- Date format: the Vietnamese form uses day/month/year. Typing your birth date the US way (month/day) is the most common mismatch we see.
- Names: copy surname and given names exactly as printed in the passport, including middle names.
- Photos: glasses, shadows, a busy background or a blurred passport scan.
- Passport validity: less than 6 months left on the day you arrive.
- Entry airport: pick the airport you will actually land at.
Our form checks the passport scan and portrait before submission, so problems are fixed before they cost you time.
Flying from the US to Vietnam
Most itineraries from the US connect through an Asian hub such as Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong or Singapore and land in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN). Airlines check your visa at check-in, so carry the approved e-Visa as a PDF or printout before you leave home.
After a long-haul flight, airport FastTrack gets you through immigration in a priority lane with a staff member holding your name sign. Available at:
How to apply with Thai Viet Tourism
- Fill in the form: choose single or multiple entry and the processing speed, then upload your passport and portrait photos.
- Pay securely: international card or PayPal; prices are shown in US dollars.
- Receive your e-Visa: we submit through the official portal evisa.gov.vn and email the e-Visa as soon as it is approved.
FAQ
Do children need their own e-Visa?
Yes. Every passport holder needs a separate e-Visa, including babies and children.
Single or multiple entry?
Choose multiple entry if you will leave Vietnam and come back within the e-Visa's validity, for example a side trip to Cambodia or Thailand.
Is the government fee refunded if the visa is refused?
No. The USD 25 / USD 50 government fee is not refundable. Checking your documents before submission is the best protection.
Do I need to print the e-Visa?
Carry a printed copy or the PDF on your phone. Airlines ask for it at check-in and immigration may ask on arrival.
Thai Viet Tourism is a licensed private travel agency (International Tour Operator Licence No. 48-472/2025/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT), not a government website and not affiliated with the Vietnam Immigration Department. We submit your application on your behalf through the official portal evisa.gov.vn; the visa is issued solely by the Vietnam Immigration Department. You can also apply yourself at evisa.gov.vn. Our price includes the government fee plus our service fee.