Vietnam E-visa from the USA

How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa from the USA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your complete 2025 guide for stress-free entry into Vietnam—direct from the USA.

🇻🇳 Why Americans Need a Visa for Vietnam in 2025

If you hold a U.S. passport, you are required to obtain a visa to enter Vietnam — whether for tourism, visiting family, or business.

But unlike a decade ago when U.S. travelers had to apply for paper visas through embassies or risk long visa-on-arrival lines, the process has gotten much faster, easier, and online thanks to Vietnam’s e-visa system.

👉 As of 2025, the Vietnam E-Visa is the most popular and recommended way for U.S. citizens to legally enter Vietnam.

✈️ What Is the Vietnam E-Visa?

Vietnam’s electronic visa (e-visa) is a government-issued electronic travel document that allows visitors from over 80 countries (including the United States) to enter Vietnam for up to 90 days without going to a consulate or embassy.

🔐 Key Features for U.S. Travelers:

🧭 E-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival (Outdated Option)

Until a few years ago, travelers from the U.S. could use Visa on Arrival (VOA), which involved filling out an online form with a third-party agency, arriving in Vietnam, standing in immigration lines, and paying stamping fees in person.

🟥 As of 2023, this process has largely been replaced by the more effective E-Visa system.

Why E-Visa is better:

• ✅ No waiting in long immigration lines
• ✅ No cash “stamping fees” at the airport
• ✅ No confusing paperwork
• ✅ You receive full confirmation before departure
• ✅ Fast, approved by Vietnam Immigration

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa (from the USA)

The process is straightforward. Here’s how to do it from your home in the U.S.

✅ Step 1: Visit the Official Vietnam E-Visa Portal

📍 https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/
This is the official website run by Vietnam Immigration Department. Be wary of fake lookalike sites.

✅ Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Have these ready BEFORE you begin:

• Your valid U.S. passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival)
• A passport-style photo (.jpg format, white background, no glasses)
• A digital scan of your passport photo page (.jpg or .pdf format)
• Your Vietnam entry/exit dates and airport/border gate
• A credit or debit card to pay the visa fee

📌 Optional: A hotel booking or address of your first stay in Vietnam

✅ Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application Form

👉 On the site, click “Person Outside Vietnam – Apply for E-Visa”.

Fill in your:

• Full name (match your passport)
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number and expiration date
• Expected date of entry and exit
• Entry/exit checkpoint (airport or land/sea border)
• Purpose of visit (choose Tourism)
• Upload your photo and passport scan

🟠 Double-check spelling and numbers — even small errors can result in rejection or border entry issues.

✅ Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Use your credit card to pay the visa fee:

• 💲 $25 USD for 30-day single entry
• 💲 $50 USD for 90-day, multiple-entry visa

⚠️ Payments are non-refundable even if your application is rejected.

Tip: Use a card with international transaction fee waivers (many travel cards offer this benefit).

✅ Step 5: Receive Your Confirmation Code

Once payment is processed, you’ll receive a registration code via email and on-screen.

👉 Save it — you’ll need this to check application status and download your final e-visa approval letter.

Time to relax and wait for your approval!

✅ Step 6: Wait for Approval (Usually 3–5 Working Days)

Most approvals are issued in 3 business days, but delays can happen during holidays or peak season.

You can use your registration code, email, and date of birth to log back into the online portal and check your visa status.

Once approved, download your PDF visa letter and make TWO printed copies to present on arrival in Vietnam.

✈️ Arriving in Vietnam with Your E-Visa

Make sure you carry:

• 🗂 A color-printed copy of your e-visa approval letter (PDF)
• 🛂 Your valid U.S. passport (same one used to apply)
• ✏️ Optional: A copy of your itinerary or first hotel booking

Upon arrival at an international airport such as Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), or Ho Chi Minh (SGN):

• Head to the Immigration / Foreign Passport line
• Present your documents — and that’s it!
• No extra payments, no waiting for VOAs

You’ll get a Vietnam entry stamp and can proceed to baggage claim.

Common Mistakes When Applying for Your Vietnam E-Visa (And How to Avoid Them)

Even though the Vietnam E-Visa process is relatively easy, small mistakes can result in delays, rejections, or entry denial. Here are the most common pitfalls U.S. travelers face — and how you can avoid them like a pro:

❌ 1. Uploading the Wrong File Format

The system only accepts .jpg or .jpeg files for your passport scan and photo. Do not upload PDFs or screenshots.

✅ Fix: Use a scanning app like CamScanner or Adobe Scan to save the image properly, then convert to JPG via free online tools.

❌ 2. Blurry or Low-Quality Passport Image

If your passport photo page is unclear, the immigration officer might not accept your e-visa at the airport—even if it looks fine online.

✅ Fix: Use natural lighting, hold your phone steady when scanning, and make sure names and numbers are legible.

❌ 3. Choosing the Wrong Entry Point

You must enter Vietnam exactly through the airport, landgate, or seaport you specify on your application. If you land at the wrong location, your e-visa is invalid.

✅ Fix: Don’t guess. Check your flight itinerary first, and list the correct airport (e.g. Noi Bai – Hanoi, not just Hanoi).

❌ 4. Typos in Passport Details

Incorrect name spelling, birth date, or passport number = automatic rejection or airport problems.

✅ Fix: Triple-check your application before submitting, and make sure your name exactly matches your U.S. passport (including middle names or initials, if listed).

❌ 5. Applying Too Late!

While it usually takes 3–5 business days, delays are possible. Applying 48 hours before departure is not recommended.

✅ Fix: Apply at least 10–14 days before your flight. Better early than sorry.

🔍 Tip: Unsure About Formatting or Info?

You can:

• Email our team before applying
• Or book a private tour with us — we assist our guests FREE with visa process

🧳 Which Vietnam E-Visa Should U.S. Citizens Choose?

🇺🇸 If you are a first-time tourist from the USA, we recommend:

✅ 30-Day, Single-Entry E-Visa

• Great for a classic tour: Hanoi → Halong → Hue → Hoi An → Saigon → Mekong
• Convenient and sufficient
• Cost: $25 USD

✈️ If you plan in/out multiple times or travel regionally:

✅ 90-Day, Multiple-Entry E-Visa

• Ideal if you also visit Cambodia or Thailand and return to Vietnam
• Great for longer flexible trips (retirees, digital nomads)
• Cost: $50 USD

📌 You must apply for the correct option when first submitting your form — you cannot change this after

🧭 Case Study: How Real U.S. Guests Use E-Visas

🎒 A Couple from Austin, TX:

• Traveled to Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, flew to Hoi An, then to HCMC
• Applied for 30-day e-visa
• Entry: Hanoi (HAN) | Exit: Saigon (SGN)
  ✅ Entry was smooth — cruise booking was used as proof of stay for e-visa form.

🌍 A Family from San Diego:

• Flew to Vietnam → visited Cambodia → came back to Vietnam for Phu Quoc Island
• Needed a 90-day multiple-entry visa
  ✅ Our team helped choose correct ports, hotels, and fill forms.

❓ FAQ: Vietnam E-Visa for Americans in 2025

1. Can I use my iPhone to apply?

Yes. The whole process is mobile-friendly. Just make sure scanned images are clear and properly sized.

2. What if I’m rejected?

Rejections are rare if your info is correct. We can help re-apply fast if needed.

3. Can I get a refund?

No, unfortunately. Vietnam’s immigration policy states that all e-visa fees are non-refundable, even if denied.

4. What if my flight changes after visa approval?

Minor changes (time/date) are okay. But if the airport changes, you’ll need a NEW visa.

5. Can Vietnamtour.travel apply on my behalf?

We can’t legally submit the application for you. But if you book a tour with us:

• We’ll walk you through it
• Check your scanned images
• Review your form before submission
• Help if anything goes wrong

6. Can I extend my e-visa once I’m in Vietnam?

Currently, tourist e-visas can’t be extended or converted in-country. You must exit and re-apply (e.g. fly to Bangkok or Phnom Penh).

7. Can I apply without booking hotels first?

Yes, but you should list at least your first-night stay — which can be a hotel you’ve reserved or a placeholder hotel. We provide this detail when you book a tour with us.

8. Can I enter Vietnam on an e-visa and leave through a different airport?

Yes! Just be sure to list correct arrival point in the application. The departure point doesn’t need to be listed.

9. Can I apply for multiple visas at once for my family?

Yes. Each traveler (even kids) needs a separate e-visa. You can apply one-by-one using the same account and email.

10. Is the e-visa accepted at land borders?

Yes. Vietnam accepts e-visas at major land crossings, like:

• Moc Bai (from Cambodia)
• Lao Bao (from Laos)
• Dong Dang (from China)

But make sure your chosen point is listed in the application form.

🛎️ How Vietnamtour.travel Helps U.S. Visitors With Visas

If you’re planning a tour with Vietnamtour.travel, we offer total e-visa support:

✅ Check your photo, passport scan, form before submission
✅ Provide our pre-booked hotel details for your first stay
✅ Send detailed instructions + reminders during the trip
✅ Help troubleshoot emergencies (lost passport, wrong entry point, etc.)
✅ Support if extending your trip to Cambodia or Laos

We’ve helped hundreds of Americans navigate visas quickly and easily — especially retirees, families, and solo travelers visiting Vietnam for the first time.

📍 Final Checklist Before You Fly

Before heading to the airport:

☑ Valid U.S. passport (6+ months left)
☑ Printed e-visa PDF (2 copies recommended)
☑ Know your arrival airport (as listed)
☑ Backup of your flight + hotel booking
☑ Contact our support in Vietnam if needed

✅ Recap: E-Visa from the USA — Made Easy

• ✅ You DO need a visa to visit Vietnam in 2025
• ✅ The e-visa process is 100% online and fast
• ✅ Choose the right visa type (30/90 days, single/multiple)
• ✅ Common pitfalls can be avoided with simple checks
• ✅ Working with Vietnamtour.travel = peace of mind ✅

📞 Ready to Book Your Vietnam Private Tour (and Get Visa Help)?

Whether you want to cruise Ha Long Bay, explore Hoi An’s ancient alleys, or relax in the Mekong — we help you every step of the way.

💼 Start with a free consultation → get a visa checklist → receive a full custom itinerary for your dates, style, and budget.

👉 Contact us here to start travel + visa planning »

We’re your local expert in Vietnam — trusted by U.S. travelers for 15+ years.

Vietnam is waiting. Let’s make it your next adventure.

Amidst countless options, you are probably looking for a travel company that truly understands Vietnam to turn your dream of exploring this S-shaped land into a reality. We, a local travel company in the heart of Vietnam, are proud to be natives of this land, carrying within us a love and deep understanding of every corner and every unique cultural aspect. Different from international travel companies, we don’t just offer tours; we share the most authentic and intimate experiences with Vietnamese life and people. You will discover famous destinations such as the majestic Ha Long Bay, the poetic ancient town of Hoi An, or the serene Imperial City of Hue from a local’s perspective

We understand that when setting foot in a foreign country, dedicated and timely support is extremely important. Therefore, our support team is always ready 24/7 throughout your journey in Vietnam, answering all your questions and assisting you in every situation. Moreover, with full licenses to organize domestic and international tours issued by the Vietnamese government, you can be completely assured of our prestige and service quality. Contact us today for the most professional and dedicated consultation, and let’s plan an unforgettable and complete trip to Vietnam together

Contact us today to receive a free consultation and start designing your dream tour, Vietnam e-visa from the USA !

At Vietnamtour.travel, we’re dedicated to making your journey seamless and memorable. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including Hotel booking, Car rental, Visa assistance, and Airport fast-track services, ensuring all your travel needs are covered.

Beyond the essentials, we specialize in a diverse array of tourism types tailored to your interests. Whether you’re looking for a Private, custom-designed tour, a relaxing Beach and island getaway, an enriching Cultural exploration, the vibrant energy of Urban tourism, or an authentic Agricultural and rural experience, we have something for everyone. We also expertly handle MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), providing professional solutions for corporate events.

Contact Us Now Vietnam e-visa from the USA

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Email: info@vietnamtour.travel
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