All travelers must have a visa for Vietnam.
You must obtain the Vietnam visa before you arrive in Vietnam from a Vietnamese consulate or embassy in the country where you currently reside.
Visa forms and instructions can be found at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C.
(Note: Travelers can also obtain a Vietnam visa upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam. However we do not recommend this because it is more expensive and — more importantly — there are often difficulties at Immigration in Vietnam with this type of visa)
Items to Submit with Your Vietnam Visa Application
- Your Passport (valid for at least 1 month more than the visa date)
- Visa application form
- One (1) Recent Passport Photograph
- Visa Fee (cash, postal order or bankers draft only)
- Self addressed, pre-paid envelope
Obtain a Vietnam Visa Before Arrival in Vietnam
You can apply either 1) in-person, 2) by post, or 3) via a travel agent.
Apply for the Vietnam visa four (4) weeks before you leave for Vietnam.
Obtain a “tourist” visa for Vietnam.
Indicate “single-entry” visa on the form.
Email the Vietnamese Embassy at vnconsular@vietnamembassy.us for the the current visa fees.
You do not need a letter from Cosmic Volunteers or any entity in Vietnam.
Submit your actual passport (not a photocopy) even when applying by post.
If applying by post, use a service that has tracking numbers like FedEx.
The Vietnam embassy will return your passport to you by post using the self-address, postage-paid envelope you included in your visa submission. The Vietnam visa sticker will be inside your passport.