- Vietnam Special Tips & Tours -

UNITED STATES TRAVELERS

The best time of year to visit the whole Vietnam is spring (February to April) and autumn (September to November). The temperatures are more moderate, and rainfall is lighter. In spring, March and April have the lowest rainfall across all destinations and temperatures are pleasant, though still cool in the far north.

It is the fact that Vietnam is a year-round destination. Every time of year, you can always find the sun somewhere (more or less).

You can check the detailed guide to know exactly where and when to go in Vietnam throughout the year.

US passport holders need a via to travel to Vietnam, there are 3 different visa types for you to do so.

Visa online (e-Visa)

The e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization from the Vietnam Government for up to 30 consecutive days, SINGLE ENTRY, issued in PDF format. It is the equivalent to a visa, but no stamp or label is placed in the passport. The e-Visa is an entry requirement to travel to and within Vietnam.

The tourist e-Visa fee is $25/visa/time. You can apply via the official website of immigration office here.

Below are some notes for Vietnam e-Visa:

• The e-Visa is a single-entry visa.
• The e-Visa is valid for 30 days, from the proposed date of entry indicated during the application.
• e-Visa holders may remain in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for a maximum of 30 consecutive days after the initial entry date.
• Once the first 30 days have passed, and renewal be needed, e-Visa holders in Vietnam may be considered to grant new visa if being invited/guaranteed by authority/organization/individual in Vietnam in accordance with Law on foreigners' entry into, exit from, transit through, residence in Vietnam.
• The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least 01 month after arrival to Vietnam and it must have at least two blank pages for the immigration and border control officer.
• Minors with their own passport must complete a full e-Visa application. Minors aged 14 and under included on their parent’s passport will have to be included on their parents e-Visa application.
• Applicants are required to carry a copy of their e-Visa at all times during their stay.

Check more about Vietnam Visa Online (e-Visa) here.

Visa on arrival

US Citizens can also apply for Vietnam Visa on arrival, which is also very easy.

3 steps to apply for your Vietnam Visa on Arrival

• Step 1: Apply online through a visa agent for an approval letter, which may take 3-5 working days for standard processing and 8 working hours for urgent processing.
• Step 2: Receive the approval letter by email and print a hard copy. Prepare 2 passport sized photos, your passport and stamping fee of US $25 (for single entry visa) and US $50 (for multiple entry visa) in cash.
• Step 3: Present all above mentioned documents to get your visa stamp upon arrival at an international airport in Vietnam. That’s it!

How much do you pay for your Vietnam Visa on arrival?

* The stamping fee is payable by cash at Vietnam airport in Vietnamese Dongs and US dollars (credit cards are not accepted).
* The service fee is based on 3 working days, and may differ from different suppliers

Check more detail about Vietnam Visa on Arrival

Visa applied via Vietnam embassy or consulate abroad.

Last but not least, U.S. citizens can apply for Vietnam tourist visa via a Vietnam embassy in Washington at the address below:

• Address: 1233 20th St NW, Ste 400, Washington, DC 20036
• Tel.: +1 202-716-8666  / +1 202-999-6589 (Visa inquiry only)
• Fax: +1 202-861-0917
• Email: [email protected] (consular affairs) // [email protected] (general information)
• Website: http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/

Moreover, you can also visit one of the Vietnamese embassies along the way to Vietnam. For example, in case you visit Thailand, you can spend time visiting Vietnamese embassy in Bangkok to get your visa done before continuing your journey to Vietnam.

Vietnam visa requirements

Whichever visa type you are going to apply, below is the standard requirements:

• 1 valid passport with at least 6-month validity (1 month for e-Visa) on the date of arrival and having at least 2 blank pages.
• 2 recent passport-sized color photos (electronic copy in case you apply for e-Visa)
• Visa fee: $30/passport.

There may be some extra requirements depending on the port you enter or the embassy you visit. Please check it directly before proceeding.

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In short, U.S. passport holders can choose to apply Visa on arrival, Visa online (e-Visa), or via a Vietnamese Embassy abroad. This will depend on your travel plan.

For more information, you can check our guide for Vietnam Tourist Visa Policy here.

For the flight cost, check the information below in this article (Getting to Vietnam from USA)

Our recommended spending for your journey in Vietnam is about $120-150/person/day (group of 2 people). Of course, you can either spend less at about $90-100/person/day (even $30/day - backpacker style) or you can spend much higher depending on the services you expect on spot.

Here is our detailed guide for Budget & Currency for travelling in Vietnam

The best way to get to Vietnam from USA is by taking a flight. Depending on your city of residence, you can choose to fly to Vietnam via one of the most popular airports including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Washington, DC (IAD), or New York City (JFK).

All flights from the US to Vietnam will terminate at one of three international airports: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), otherwise known as Hanoi Airport in the north; Da Nang International Airport (DAD) in the center of the country and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), otherwise known as Ho Chi Minh City Airport, in the south.

The capital city of Hanoi is the largest in northern Vietnam and is the principal airport in the country. There are only two other regional airports in the area: Dien Bien Phu Airport (DIN) in the west and Cat Bi Airport (HPH) in the city of Hai Phong in the east, so you should take care with your travel plans in this area.

Vietnam has several towns and cities that dominate its central coast along the South China Sea stretching from Vinh in the north down to Nha Trang and Da Lat in the south. On arrival at Da Nang Airport, you can take a connecting flight to any of the airports along the coast, or Pleiku Airport (PXU) and Buon Ma Thuot Airport (BMV) to explore the central interior.

Flight FAQs

Q. When is the best time to book flights to Vietnam?

Aim to have your flight tickets secured at least four months in advance to give yourself a chance of finding the cheapest flights to Vietnam. If you can then book them even further ahead, especially if your dates coincide with a major event or the peak season. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your destination by choosing a city, usually either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city, you’ll be able to figure out what dates offer the cheapest flights to Vietnam and go from there. 

Flexibility is the key to securing discounted flight tickets so if you’re not governed by a particular set of weeks or to a specific location then you’ll give yourself the best chances of finding the cheapest flights to Vietnam. 

Don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as each has their benefits and offer equally impressive view through your flight.

Q. How long is the flight to Vietnam?

Traveling to Vietnam from the United States isn’t just a quick jaunt down the street. In fact, the average flight from the United States to Vietnam takes 22h 43m. You’re definitely going to need to bring some in-flight entertainment with you. Depending on where you’re flying into in Vietnam, flights can vary drastically. The most common destination is Ho Chi Minh City. The most common flight from the United States to Vietnam is Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about 20h 5m.

Q. Are there any nonstop flights to Vietnam?

Unfortunately, there are no nonstop flights from the US to Vietnam, but you can get one-stop service from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) via Vietnam Airlines and China Eastern while United Airlines and China Eastern provide similar service from Washington, DC (IAD) and New York City (JFK) on the east coast.

Q. What are the most popular routes from USA to Vietnam?

While some choose either San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City or Houston Hobby - Ho Chi Minh City, Los Angeles - Ho Chi Minh City is the most popular route from USA to Vietnam.

Q. How much does it cost to fly to Vietnam?

The price ticket ranges from $450 to $850 depending on your flight route and date. The cheapest route may be found on the way from Los Angeles (LAX) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). 

We recommend using some online ticket booking platform (Kayak, Cheapflights, or SkyScanner) to look for the cheapest flight possible according to your travel plan. They do have alert system when there is the price change on your travel date.

Here is how to get the cheapest flight possible to Vietnam

Vietnam is well served by a good network of internal flights. Given the long and thin nature of the country, if travelling north to south or vice versa, then internal Vietnam flights are a convenient and affordable option.
There is also a sleeper train that links Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh in the south. You should try and book tickets for this early as it can sell out, especially during the Tet holiday.

Buses are the main ground transport option, with sleeper coaches covering much of the country. Tickets are cheap due to competition from various companies, but the beds on board are seldom as comfortable as you might wish them to be.

Check How to get around in Vietnam here

1. Do I need vaccines for Vietnam?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Vietnam. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Vietnam: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. 

Here is the article for recommended vaccinations for Vietnam.

2. How safe is Vietnam?

Though a big enemy in the past, it is now safe for US citizens travelling to Vietnam.

All in all, Vietnam is an extremely safe country to travel in. 

• The police keep a pretty tight grip on social order and there are rarely reports of muggings, robberies or sexual assaults. 
• Scams and hassles do exist, particularly in Hanoi, HCMC and Nha Trang (and to a lesser degree in Hoi An).
• Be extra careful if you’re travelling on two wheels on Vietnam’s anarchic roads; traffic accident rates are woeful and driving standards are pretty appalling.

Here is our guide for Safety and Precautions in Vietnam

3. Do I need a travel insurance for Vietnam?
Insurance is not compulsory but a must for Vietnam, as the cost of major medical treatment is prohibitive. A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is the best bet.

Some insurance policies specifically exclude such ‘dangerous activities’ as riding motorbikes, diving and even trekking. Check that your policy covers an emergency evacuation in the event of serious injury.
If you're driving a vehicle, you need a Vietnamese insurance policy.

Check the detailed article for Vietnam travel insurance here

4. What should I take to Vietnam?

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Thailand:

• Money Belt – These are a great way to avoid pickpocketing while in Vietnam.
• Mosquito Repellent – Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are common in many parts of Vietnam. Make sure you’re protected from these bugs while traveling.
• Walking Shoes – Visitors can walk the streets to explore the street vendors or beautiful wildlife, making good shoes a must.

Here is the detailed guide for what to pack for Vietnam

5. Are you supposed to tip in Vietnam?

Generally, tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but is very much appreciated. Many Vietnam workers do not earn much money and always appreciate the extra money to be made in tips.

Check out the Vietnam tipping guide & other local etiquettes here

6. Do I need to buy a Vietnam SIM Card? And where can I buy it?

It is recommended to buy a local SIM card why travelling in Vietnam as it surely has a stable connection and also the cheaper price for calling & data usage.

You can buy the SIM Card almost everywhere in Vietnam, especially inside the big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or Da Nang.

Check out the detailed guide for Internet & phone in Vietnam here

7. Do I need to bargain while shopping in Vietnam?

Yes, unfortunately, you will have to bargain most of the time to get the price right. Unless you plan to go to shopping mall or supermarket where price is printed on the product. It is not an intimidating task like it seems, and once you will get used to it, you will miss the bargaining scene found in Vietnam and in most of Asia. 

Tips: Look around and check with your guide to have the idea of what you are going to buy. 

Here is our guide for Buying and bargaining in Vietnam

When traveling it is very helpful to find out exactly where the U.S. embassy or consulates are located. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.

U.S. Embassy Hanoi – Consular Annex

• Address: 170 Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Telephone: +(84) (4) 3850-5000
• Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(84) (4) 3850-5000 or (04) 3850-5000/3850-5105
• Fax: +(84) (4) 3850-5010
• Email: [email protected]

Visit the Embassy to Vietnam website before departure to confirm correct contact details for the office.