Plan ahead. You must have a visa before entering Vietnam. There is no such thing as a “visa on arrival.” In the United States, a visa may be obtained at the Consulate General’s office in San Francisco, 1700 California St., Suite 475, and the phone is (415) 922-1577. The embassy in Washington D.C. is 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. The phone is (202) 861-2293. Visa forms may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to one of the offices. If you are overseas, check the websites in the Resources section for other embassies and consulates.
Tourist visas are good for 30 days. They may be extended while in Vietnam, but remember, many “official” procedures in Vietnam requires miles of red tape and eons of time.
A visa costs about $85 if obtained in the United States. Visa fees can vary country by country, embassy by embassy.
Multiple entry visas are available, too. These are perfect for travelers making side trips to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
Firm up your plans. Do not complete your visa application until you know your intended ports of arrival and departure. Changing your itinerary could mean miles of red tape and eons of time.
