GETTING A VIETNAM VISA IS EASY
IT JUST TAKES TIME

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry to Vietnam. Caution: If you need a US Passport renewed or if you don’t have a US Passport getting one from the US State Department will take weeks – plan accordingly.

There are two methods of getting an Vietnam Visa.

The first is obtained from the Vietnamese Embassy. Instructions are easy to follow. However, you must call or email the embassy to get the current fee for a Visa.

You can hire a visa service to get your Visa. I don’t recommend this and it’s easy to get your own Vietnam visa through the embassy.

You can get express service from the embassy – less than 5 days including express type document service (United States Postal Service), visa processing and return. Or regular service about 10 days. Visas for tourists are either good for one trip, or as in the language of international travelers – “single entry.” Multiple entry/exit visas are usually available only for business purposes.

NOTE: When filling out the visa application Item 10 asks for your contact in Vietnam. Use the name and address of the hotel where you will stay your first night. If you don't have one in mind, find one on the internet in the city where you'll enter Vietnam. Don't worry if you don't stay there - Vietnam travelers often change their plans.


Vietnam Visa Services


The second is the pre-approved visa – the visa is physically issued on arrival at Vietnam’s international airports. A visa approval letter is obtained through a Visa Approval Service in Vietnam - usually a travel agency. You must have this Visa Approval Letter in your possession when arriving in Vietnam. I have not used this type of service – I get my visa from the Vietnamese Embassy using express service in a week. I don’t have a visa approval service to recommend at this time.

IMPORTANT – When you arrive in Vietnam you will be issued a yellow piece of paper at immigration. This is your Vietnam Travel Permit/Visa. DO NOT LOSE THIS PAPER. Police can ask you for your passport and visa. (I have never been asked.) You will need both to check into a hotel. Hotels must register all guests with local government. It is customary to keep your passport and visa. Hint: Tell the hotel clerk you need your passport to go to the currency exchange or bank.

Don’t forget your passport and visa when you check out of the hotel!