I’ll be heading to Vietnam soon for a review trip, which will mark my first trip to Southeast Asia since the start of pandemic. Vietnam still requires visas for travelers, so in this post I figured I’d outline my experience applying for a Vietnamese e-visa.
I actually haven’t been approved for the visa just yet, which is why I’m writing about it now, as this is threatening to throw a major wrench in my plans. Hopefully some OMAAT readers have tips, as I’m trying to be proactive here.
Basics of Vietnam’s e-visa process
Traveling to Vietnam from most countries requires a visa, which has to be applied for in advance (visas on arrival aren’t permitted without an invitation letter). Fortunately nationals of 80 countries can request e-visas. You can find the full list of eligible countries here — as you can see, the United States is included.
Vietnam issues single entry tourist visas at a cost of $25, allowing you to stay for up to 30 days. The good news is that the application process online is easy. The bad news is that it’s not an instant process, which is also why I might be in trouble.
My experience applying for a Vietnam e-visa
Here’s the page where you can apply for a Vietnam e-visa. This page outlines the basics of what you’ll need to apply, and then you’ll want to select the “For Foreigners” option to get started.
For the first part of the application, you’ll have to upload a copy of your passport picture…
