When you travel as much as most of us do, there comes a time when visa requirements get confusing and/or expensive. Recently, because a Vietnam visa for US citizens is required, I needed a visa for my trip to Vietnam. The process was confusing and could have been expensive, but I learned the best way to obtain a Vietnam Visa that was easy, quick, and economical.
Checking each country’s visa requirements, even when you think you know what they are, should be on everyone’s pre-travel checklist. For a trip to Vietnam, I checked into visa requirements for US citizens in two places. The Wikipedia page shows that Vietnam does require a visa for US citizens, and it mentions an eVisa. There is no link that tells me more about what that is.
I then went to this page, CIBTvisas. It’s an easy site to check for visa requirements. It shows that Vietnam does require a visa and when you click Start Visa Application Process, you’ll see a page that allows you to start the process and also explains that you’ll need to send in your passport and follow their process.
I also asked a Vietnamese friend of mine, and his research sent him to this site. It’s interesting but not particularly helpful unless you live in a city with a Vietnamese embassy. He did tell me that you can get a Vietnam visa upon arrival, but his suggestion was to have all this sorted out before arriving.
I also asked my travel agent cousins what they recommend for their clients and they suggested two good visa service companies, one of which was CIBT, the site I mentioned above.
But what about the eVisa process that was mentioned on the Wikipedia page? After doing some research on eVisa, that turned out to be an easy, no hassle, quick, small fee elegant solution.
This choice didn’t require me sending my passport anywhere!
Why didn’t more people, especially travel agents, know about this? I know it’s a relatively new way to apply for a single-use eVisa for Vietnam, which speaks even more to my point about checking visa options for US citizens and requirements carefully before traveling.
eVisa Process for a Vietnam Visa for US Citizens
From the eVisa home page, choose the For Foreigners option. Besides filling out a form, you’ll be required to upload two photos, enter your date of arrival, and pay $25. You’ll receive an email with a verification code. Be sure to copy this or take a screen shot because you’ll need this code if you want to check on your eVisa.
It’s easy to check on the process, and you’ll receive a message that says “Still in Process”. But even if you don’t check, you’ll receive an email telling you your eVisa has been processed. You can then go and print out your eVisa. I printed out a few copies of mine just to have extras.
Upshot
Easy process for my Vietnam Tourist Visa and I was all done in 3 business days. I applied on Thursday and by Monday, I received my email telling me my eVisa was ready. Be sure to check out all your options when applying for a visa, and if you need one for a visa Vietnam, eVisa is the way to go.
Don’t forget to put your World of Hyatt points to good use by staying at the Park Hyatt Saigon. I had an incredibly wonderful time at this beautiful, historic hotel.
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9 comments
ben @onemileatatime did an easy write-up on the process.
I just did this a few weeks ago on the CX F mistake fare in Da Nang. Print out the form and skip the visa on arrival line (it was long) at the airport and go straight to line up at immigration.
Thanks for adding this to the advice, Chris. Unfortunately, my line at immigration was super long but better than the arrival line for sure.
Thanks Shelli,
We are going in March and need to get the visa and vaccines (Hep A and typhoid recommended if eating street food anywhere).
Most welcome, Laura. It’s a fabulous destination. Enjoy!!
I’m wondering if this only happened to us, but for some reason, the pictures of my wife and I were off by 90 degrees, no matter what orientation they were initially. They still processed the visa but it was kind of weird and frustrating. Has anyone else had this happen?
No idea, Christian. Maybe someone will chime in.
We want to get an eVisa and were wondering about the photos. Do they need to be non smiling? I don’t want to send in photos and have our application rejected because they are smiling and they want a non smiling photo like our driver’s licences. Thanks, in advance for the information.
Good question, Deborah. I don’t know if they NEED to be non-smiling, but I did keep my facial expression neutral. Hope that helps and thanks for reading. Enjoy your trip!