Vietnam Visa for
US Citizens
2026 —
Complete Guide
Everything American passport holders need to know about the Vietnam eVisa in 2026. Cost from $110, emergency approval in 30 minutes, government fee included. No embassy visit, no visa on arrival — 100% online.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Vietnam in 2026?
Yes. American passport holders require a valid visa to enter Vietnam in 2026. There is no visa-free agreement between the United States and Vietnam, and there is no longer a visa on arrival option for tourist travel. The Vietnam eVisa, applied 100% online, is the standard and only practical option for US travelers.
The good news: the eVisa process is straightforward, fully online, requires no embassy visit, and can be completed on your phone in under 10 minutes. Government fee is included in all packages. Processing is available 24/7 including weekends.
Vietnam eVisa Requirements for US Citizens 2026
The following documents are required for all US citizen eVisa applications. Have these ready before starting the form.
How Much Does a Vietnam Visa Cost for US Citizens in 2026?
All prices include the Vietnamese government stamp fee. There are no additional charges on arrival in Vietnam at any airport, land border, or sea port.
How to Apply for a Vietnam eVisa as a US Citizen
The application takes under 10 minutes with documents ready. Here is the full process:
Go to ApplyEvisaVietnam.com and choose your processing speed
Select the speed that fits your timeline. If you are flying today, pick an emergency option. If you have a day or more, the $110 same-day option is the best value. All options are available 24/7.
Time: 1 minuteEnter your name EXACTLY as on your US passport
This is the most critical step for American travelers. Your full legal name — first, middle, and last — must match your US passport character for character. Open your passport to the photo page and type directly from it. Do not rely on memory or your driver's license.
Time: 2 minutesEnter your Vietnam arrival date — not US departure date
US to Vietnam flights cross the International Date Line. A flight leaving Los Angeles on Tuesday evening typically lands in Vietnam on Thursday. Your entry date on the eVisa must be Thursday, not Tuesday. Check your flight confirmation for the Vietnam arrival date and use that.
Time: 1 minuteUpload your photo, add accommodation, pay
Upload a passport-style photo (plain background, no glasses). Enter any hotel name in your destination city as accommodation. Choose single or multiple-entry. Pay by credit or debit card in USD — government fee is included.
Time: 3 minutesReceive approved eVisa PDF — show at check-in and arrival
Your approved Vietnam eVisa arrives by email within your chosen processing window. Screenshot it to your camera roll, forward it to yourself as backup. Show it at US airport check-in and at Vietnamese immigration on arrival. No cash required at any Vietnamese entry point.
Processing: 30 min to 1 business dayThe Most Important Date Tip for US Travelers to Vietnam
More US travelers are rejected or delayed at check-in because of an incorrect entry date than for any other reason except name mismatches. Here is why — and how to get it right every time.
How US to Vietnam flights cross the International Date Line
All flights from the continental US to Vietnam cross the International Date Line, which advances the calendar date by one day. A flight leaving Los Angeles or San Francisco on a Tuesday evening typically lands in Vietnam on Thursday local time. A flight leaving New York on Monday usually arrives in Vietnam on Wednesday.
| Departs from | Departs (example) | Arrives Vietnam | Your eVisa entry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK/EWR) | Monday 11:00 PM EST | Wednesday ~10:00 PM ICT | Wednesday |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Tuesday 11:30 PM PST | Thursday ~9:00 AM ICT | Thursday |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Tuesday 9:45 PM PST | Thursday ~6:00 AM ICT | Thursday |
| Chicago (ORD) | Monday 10:00 PM CST | Wednesday ~9:00 PM ICT | Wednesday |
| Houston (IAH) | Monday 11:00 PM CST | Wednesday ~10:00 PM ICT | Wednesday |
Flying to Vietnam from the US — Major Routes 2026
The Vietnam eVisa is checked at US airport check-in before your international departure. Apply before arriving at the airport whenever possible.
Vietnam eVisa Options for US Citizens — Quick Comparison
| Feature | ApplyEvisaVietnam.com | Government Portal | US Embassy / Consulate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 30 min to 1 day | 3+ business days | Several weeks |
| Weekend available | Yes — 24/7 | No | No |
| In-person visit required | No | No | Yes |
| Gov fee included | Yes | Separate payment | Separate fees |
| Emergency option | Yes — 30 min | No | Rare |
| Max stay | 90 days | 90 days | Varies |
More Vietnam Travel Guides
Vietnam eVisa — US Traveler Reviews
"Applied at 10PM before a 6AM JFK flight. The 1.5-hour option delivered my approved Vietnam eVisa at 11:24PM. First time going to Vietnam and I was nervous about the visa. The whole process was clear and the team sent a WhatsApp message to confirm processing was underway. Seamless."
"I almost made the mistake of using my LA departure date instead of the Vietnam arrival date. The guide on this site caught it before I submitted. Applied the 5-hour option from LAX, visa arrived in 4 hours. No problems at check-in or at Tan Son Nhat arrival."
"My first application was rejected because I forgot my middle name — this guide warned me about that specifically. Reapplied with full name from my passport, approved within 3 hours. The team identified the error immediately and explained the fix clearly."
"Multiple-entry was the right call. We went from Hanoi to Sapa, then crossed into Laos for 3 days, then returned to Vietnam for Ho Chi Minh City. All on one eVisa. If I had chosen single-entry at the border it would have been a completely different and expensive situation."
Vietnam Visa for US Citizens — FAQ 2026
Vietnam Visa for US Citizens.
Apply Now — From $110 USD.
100% online, no embassy visit, government fee included. Emergency approval from 30 minutes. Middle name and date line guidance built into the application. 24/7 including weekends.