How do US citizens apply for a Vietnam e-Visa?

Apply at the official Vietnam e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.vn. You will need your passport details, a passport photo, a photo of your passport data page, your planned entry and exit dates, entry point, and accommodation address in Vietnam. The fee is USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry. Processing takes 3–5 business days.

How much does a Vietnam e-Visa cost for US citizens?

USD 25 for a single-entry e-Visa or USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-Visa. Pay by international credit or debit card on the official portal at evisa.gov.vn. Do not pay any third-party website — the official Vietnam e-Visa is only available directly from the government portal.

How long does Vietnam e-Visa processing take?

3–5 business days under standard processing. Apply at least 1–2 weeks before travel to allow time for any issues. The approved e-Visa is sent to your email as a PDF — print it and bring it to the border.

Can I use any entry point with a Vietnam e-Visa?

No. You must select your entry point during the application. As of 2026, 83 international airports, land borders, and seaports accept e-Visas. You must enter through the port you selected. If your plans change, you may need to apply for a new e-Visa with the correct entry point.

Can I extend my Vietnam e-Visa inside Vietnam?

The e-Visa cannot be extended inside Vietnam. If you want to stay longer than your e-Visa permits, you must exit Vietnam and apply for a new e-Visa before re-entering. Repeated exit-reentry patterns may attract scrutiny from Vietnamese immigration.

Vietnam e-Visa for US citizens — step-by-step guide

Last reviewed: March 30, 2026

US citizens must apply for a Vietnam e-Visa before travel. Apply at evisa.gov.vn for up to 90 days single or multiple entry. Fee: USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple). Processing: 3–5 business days.

Requirement	Details
Required	Yes, visa required for US citizens
Official portal	evisa.gov.vn
Single entry fee	USD 25
Multiple entry fee	USD 50
Max stay	90 days
Processing time	3–5 business days
Passport validity required	6 months beyond entry + 2 blank pages

Note: Only apply at the official portal evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. Do not use third-party paid websites — the official e-Visa is only available directly from the Vietnamese government.

What you need before applying

Before starting your Vietnam e-Visa application, prepare:

Valid US passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned entry date and at least 2 blank pages
Clear JPG photo of your entire passport data page (the photo page)
Passport-sized photo in JPG format — 4x6 cm, white background, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months
Planned entry date, exit date, and entry port (airport, land border, or seaport)
Accommodation address for your first night in Vietnam (hotel name and address)
Valid international credit or debit card for payment
Valid email address to receive your approved e-Visa

Step-by-step: applying for your Vietnam e-Visa

1
Go to the official Vietnam e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.vn (or thithucdientu.gov.vn — both are official Vietnamese government domains).
2
Click "For outside Vietnam" and select "Foreigners personally applying for e-Visa."
3
Complete the application form with your personal details exactly as they appear on your US passport.
4
Select your entry type: Single Entry (USD 25) if you will not leave Vietnam during your trip, or Multiple Entry (USD 50) if you plan to make side trips to neighboring countries and return.
5
Select your entry port from the dropdown list. You must enter Vietnam through this exact port. Choose carefully — changing it requires a new application.
6
Upload your passport data page photo and passport-sized portrait photo. Both must meet the required specifications.
7
Enter your planned accommodation address for your first night in Vietnam.
8
Pay the fee by international credit or debit card.
9
You will receive a confirmation email. Processing takes 3–5 business days.
10
Check your email for the approved e-Visa PDF. Download it, print it in color, and bring it to the Vietnamese border. Show it at immigration together with your passport.

Single entry vs multiple entry — which to choose

Single entry (USD 25)

Choose this if your trip is entirely within Vietnam with no exit and re-entry planned. Once you leave Vietnam, your single-entry e-Visa is void and cannot be used again.

Multiple entry (USD 50)

Choose this if you plan to take side trips to neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand and return to Vietnam within your 90-day validity period. Multiple entry is strongly recommended for travelers planning multi-country Southeast Asia itineraries. The USD 25 price difference is worth it for the flexibility.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a third-party paid website

Dozens of websites charge USD 50–100 to process your Vietnam e-Visa. The official e-Visa is USD 25–50 applied directly at evisa.gov.vn. If a website asks for more, leave immediately.

Wrong entry port selected

You must enter Vietnam through the exact port selected on your e-Visa. If your flight routing changes or you decide to cross by land instead of fly, your e-Visa may be invalid. Select your entry port carefully and consider multiple entry for flexibility.

Photo not meeting specifications

Your passport photo must be 4x6 cm, white background, no glasses, full face visible. Non-compliant photos are a common rejection reason. Use a professional photo service if unsure.

Applying too late

Processing takes 3–5 business days but can take longer during peak seasons. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Do not apply on the day of or day before your flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Information compiled from official government sources and verified data: