Vietnam. Just the word alone evokes thoughts of bustling cities, millions of noisy scooters, hot bowls of pho, pristine beaches, and lush rice fields.
And it sounds so good, doesn’t it?
Every year, thousands of adventurous Americans flock to Vietnam to experience the wondrous sights, sounds, and flavors the Southeast Asian country has to offer — but not without getting a visa first!
If you’re one of those American who’s planning to travel to Vietnam soon, then know this: you must apply for a visa before arriving in Vietnam!
After going through the visa process ourselves, we realized that there’s a lot of mixed information online about how to get a Vietnam tourist visa. And there are also plenty of untrustworthy/scammy sites out there! Because of that, we thought we’d write a post that’ll help you through the process!
In this post, we’ll cover the options you have for getting a Vietnam tourist visa, we’ll compare them, and we’ll help you choose the best option for you.
How to Get a Vietnam Tourist Visa (As an American Citizen)
*This post was sponsored by Vietnam-Visa.com, however all opinions are our own. We believe that Visa on Arrival via Vietnam-Visa.com is the best option for all American travelers arriving via air. This post is for educational purposes only. Do not rely solely on the information in this post, as the information here may have changed and/or could not be correct anymore.
In case you don’t already know, every American passport holder must apply for a Vietnam visa before entering Vietnam.
That means you need to plan ahead, no matter how much you love to procrastinate!
There are two ways you can get a Vietnam tourist visa:
- Via mail or in-person visit to the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States
- Via online application process for Visa on Arrival
In this post, we’ll compare these two types of visa applications so you can choose the best and simplest method for your circumstances!
Applying for a tourist visa via the Vietnam Embassy:
The traditional way of getting a Vietnam visa for US citizens, is via the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington D.C. If you plan to enter Vietnam by sea or land, then this option is recommended.
For this type of visa application, you will either send your application in via mail, or submit your application in person at the Embassy.
To apply, you will need to complete the Visa Application found on the Embassy website, and give required information such as your full name, date of birth, arrival date, etc.
Then, print out the form and attach a passport-size photo (2×2 inches).
Then send in your form, fees, valid passport, and a pre-paid return envelope directly to the Embassy. In a few business days, you will get your passport back, and the stamped visa will already be inside.
If you choose to apply for your tourist visa via the Vietnam Embassy, make sure to contact the Embassy and/or visit their website for more information.
Embassy of Vietnam in Washington D.C.
Address: 1233 20th Street N.W, Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20036
Website: vietnamembassy-usa.org/
Phone: (202) 861-0737
Email: info@vietnamembassy.us | vnconsular@vietnamembassy.us
Do not rely solely on the information above. Contact the Embassy or visit their website for more information. The information above may have changed and/or could not be correct. We are not affiliated with the Embassy in any way.
Vietnam Visa on Arrival:
The other option for getting a Vietnam tourist visa is applying for a Visa on Arrival.
Unlike the traditional visa process, Visa on Arrival is the best option for travelers who will arrive in Vietnam by air.
Now, in terms of costs and time, there are several advantages to the Vietnam Visa on Arrival.
To get a Vietnam Visa on Arrival, you’ll follow three easy steps:
- Complete a secured, online application form with required information, including your full name, date of birth, date of arrival, number of applicants, etc.
- After that, a visa approval letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department will be sent via email within one or two business days, depending on your visa requirements.
- Then, when you arrive at an international airport in Vietnam, you will visit the Landing Visa Counter and get your visa stamped. Just make sure to bring along the necessary documents, including your valid passport, printed visa application form, and stamping fee!
For more information about the simple Visa on Arrival process, click here.
If you plan to arrive in Vietnam via air (most people do — especially considering the many travel horror stories you can read online about arriving via bus!), then we suggest going with the Visa on Arrival option via Vietnam-Visa.com.
This option is much quicker, easier, and cheaper than the traditional application process! Vietnam-Visa also offers friendly and responsive customer service, making the Visa on Arrival process a breeze! (You can always contact them via the online chat on their website, or via email at support@vietnam-visa.com)
An in-depth comparison:
Now that we’ve explained the two options you have for getting a Vietnam tourist visa, we’ll go through a quick overview of the similarities and differences to help you choose which option is best for you!
Here are the similarities between the two options:
- Passports must have at least six months of validity and at least two blank pages for the stamp.
- Both types of visas are issued by a legal unit, such as the Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam Immigration Department. Therefore, their validity is equal.
Here are the differences between the two options:
TOTAL COST
| Visa at Embassy | Visa on Arrival |
| Visa approval arrangement fee | Service fee |
| Processing fee | Stamping fee |
| Shipping fee | |
| Handling and expedite fee (in urgent cases) |
The total cost for a Visa on Arrival will be far less than the cost for a visa from the Embassy. Click here for Visa on Arrival costs.
DOCUMENT PREPARATION
| Visa at Embassy | Visa on Arrival |
| Original passport, photos at passport size | No documents needed (until arrival in Vietnam) |
| Visa application |
PROCESSING TIME
| Visa at Embassy | Visa on Arrival |
| From 4 to 5 working days | From 1 to 2 working days and even 4 hours (in super urgent cases) |
The processing time for Visa on Arrival is quicker, and you don’t ever have to part with your passport.
SUBJECT OF APPLICATION
| Visa at Embassy | Visa on Arrival |
| Visitors from all over the world who intend to visit Vietnam by all means of transportation. | Visitors who want to travel to Vietnam by air only. |
How to Get a Vietnam Tourist Visa (As an American Citizen)
If you’re planning to travel to Vietnam soon, then make sure that you’ve applied for your visa well in advance.
We hope that this post helps you with getting your Vietnam tourist visa — which can often be a complicated and confusing process.
If you want to save time and money, and if you are arriving in Vietnam via airplane, then we highly recommend using this website to get your Visa on Arrival!
*This post was sponsored by Vietnam-Visa.com, however all opinions are our own. We believe that Visa on Arrival via Vietnam-Visa.com is the best option for all American travelers arriving via air.
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