US citizens are generally not covered by Vietnam's visa-exemption list, meaning some form of visa arranged in advance is typically required. The e-visa system is the most straightforward route for most US travellers, applied for entirely online.
The e-visa process, broadly
Vietnam's official e-visa portal allows US citizens to apply online, upload a passport photo and passport scan, pay the fee, and receive an approval letter or e-visa by email, typically within a few business days, sometimes longer during busy periods. Print or save a digital copy to show on arrival.
What you'll need
A US passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, a digital passport-style photo, and your travel dates. Applying at least a week or two before departure gives comfortable buffer time for processing.
At the airport
Have your approval documentation (digital or printed, per current requirements) and passport ready for immigration at Tan Son Nhat Airport. See our airport guide for what to expect after landing.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent issues that delay a US e-visa application are minor but avoidable: a passport photo that doesn't meet the size or background requirements, a passport scan that's blurry or cuts off a corner, and applying through a third-party site that charges a service fee well above the official government rate without making that clearly obvious upfront. Double-checking that any site you're using ends in Vietnam's official government domain before entering payment details is a simple, worthwhile precaution.
| Typical route | Official e-visa, applied for online in advance |
|---|---|
| Apply | At least 1–2 weeks before travel |
| Always verify | Vietnam's official government e-visa website |