Vietnam visa options for United States passport holders
Tourist / short stay
e-Visa
Apply for a visa online before travelling.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Vietnam
Written for non-Vietnamese nationals. The 90-day e-visa is open to most nationalities online; visa exemption applies to ~38 listed countries. Vietnam has no dedicated digital-nomad visa — remote workers use the e-visa or a business visa.
- Most nomadsTourist
E-visa (tourist / business)
Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required — travel cover recommended
- Good for
- Most foreign nationals visiting for tourism or business
- Requirement
- Apply online (evisa.gov.vn); fee US$25 single / US$50 multiple entry
- Tourist
Visa exemption (short stay)
14–90 days by nationality (e.g. 45 days for the main EU/East-Asian list, through 2028)
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required — recommended
- Good for
- Citizens of ~38 exempt countries (e.g. DE, FR, IT, ES, UK, JP, KR)
- Requirement
- Valid passport; no visa for the exempt period
- Business
Business visa (DN1 / DN2)
Up to 12 months, single or multiple entry
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required as a visa condition
- Good for
- Business activities short of employment, sponsored by a Vietnamese entity
- Requirement
- Sponsorship/invitation from a Vietnamese company or organisation
- Work
Work visa (LD1 / LD2)
Up to 2 years; extendable via a Temporary Residence Card
- Insurance
- OptionalNot a visa condition — employee social/health insurance may apply
- Good for
- Foreign nationals employed in Vietnam
- Requirement
- Work permit (LD2) or proof of work-permit exemption (LD1); employer sponsorship
- Study
Student visa (DH)
Up to 12 months; Temporary Residence Card for longer study
- Insurance
- OptionalNot a visa condition
- Good for
- Students at a recognised Vietnamese institution
- Requirement
- Acceptance/sponsorship letter from a Vietnamese institution
- Residence
Investor / residence visa (DT + residence card)
12 months to 5 years by invested capital
- Insurance
- OptionalNot a visa condition
- Good for
- Foreign investors and long-stay residents
- Requirement
- Documented investment capital (DT tiers)
A mandatory health DECLARATION (not insurance) for all travellers takes effect 1 Jul 2026 — check the current wording. Visa-exemption day counts and the business-visa stay vary by source/nationality. No health insurance is mandated for entry. Last checked: 2026-06 — confirm on the official portal (evisa.gov.vn).
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Vietnam, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
United States → Vietnam: frequently asked
- Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam?
- e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a United States passport holder live or work long-term in Vietnam?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Vietnam has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?
- Entry to Vietnam never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.