Updated December 2016 As updated in December 2016, all United States travelers to Vietnam need to obtain a valid visa except they directly visit Phu Quoc Island of Vietnam from a foreign country/territory, stay there for no more than 30 days and finally leave it for a foreign country/territory outside Vietnam. In case a Vietnam visa is needed, US travelers may have two ways to go about with this matter. Obtain visa via Vietnam Embassy; OR Obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival. Which way is better? Which one should you choose? Please find the answers in the following comparison between these two ways. 1. Similarities Both these options offer a valid and legitimate visa to Vietnam. 2. Differences 2.1. Beneficiaries While the former option is available for all those traveling to Vietnam, the latter supports those traveling to Vietnam by air only. 2.2. Issuing Authority The visa obtained in the former way is issued by the Vietnam Embassy while that in the latter is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. 2.3. Steps to apply For Visa at Vietnam Embassy: The procedure to obtain this kind of visa may vary from embassy to embassy depending on the embassy you are intended to work with. Some accept visa applications submitted via post, via a third party but some accept submission in person only. Here is the common procedure and documents to obtain Vietnam visa in person at Vietnam embassy: Download the application form on website of the embassy you are planned to apply for visa with, fill it out and attached it with a photo; Prepare documents for application, including: application form, original passport, photos and visa fee and others as required by the embassy; Travel to the Embassy to submit application documents and pay for visa fee; Get the Appointment Letter and then leave there for home; Travel back to the embassy on the appointed date to pick up original passport and visa. The visa processing time is normally 4 – 5 working days. For Visa on Arrival The process to get Visa on arrival is completely different. It requires no […]