Emergency Vietnam Visa for US Citizens: 1 Hour or 2 Hours
By VietnamVisaEasy Visa Team · 2025-08-10 · Updated 2026-11-07
US passport holders need a visa for Vietnam. If you only found out at check-in, an emergency Vietnam visa for US citizens can still be ready in 1 or 2 hours.
The key is timing. Vietnam's working day is the American night, and that changes when you should apply.
How fast is an emergency Vietnam visa for US citizens?
As fast as 30–60 minutes, during Vietnamese working hours. You apply for the official e-visa online, and we submit it with the fastest processing.
| Speed | Price | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 30–60 minutes | US$215 | At the airport, check-in closing soon |
| 1.5 working hours | US$185 | Flight in 3–4 hours |
| 2.5 working hours | US$155 | Flight later today |
| 5 working hours | US$125 | Flight tonight or early tomorrow |
| Weekend / holiday | US$230 | Flight on a Saturday, Sunday or US-Vietnam holiday |
Prices are per person for a single-entry e-visa, US$25 government fee included. Multiple entry adds US$25.
What time should I apply from the United States?
Apply in the US evening or night. Vietnam (GMT+7) does not use daylight saving time.
| US city | Vietnam is ahead by | Vietnam 8:00 AM is |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST) | 12 hours | 8:00 PM the day before |
| Chicago (CST) | 13 hours | 7:00 PM the day before |
| Denver (MST) | 14 hours | 6:00 PM the day before |
| Los Angeles (PST) | 15 hours | 5:00 PM the day before |
In US summer time, subtract one hour from each gap. Vietnamese working hours are about 8:00–11:30 and 13:30–18:30, Monday to Friday.
So a Friday evening in California is already Saturday in Vietnam. Weekday speeds will not run, and you need the weekend service.
How do I apply for an emergency visa from the US?
Have your passport and a photo ready, then it takes about 5 minutes.
- Open the application form and choose Apply new e-visa.
- Pick 30–60 minutes, 1.5 hours or 2.5 hours.
- Upload your US passport photo page and a portrait photo.
- Enter your landing date in Vietnam, not your departure date in the US.
- Choose the airport you will land at, such as Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City.
- Pay by card or PayPal, then watch your email and WhatsApp.
Flights from the US often land the next day. Check the arrival date twice.
Our team reviews every application before it is submitted. If something looks wrong, such as a photo that is too dark or a date that does not match your flight, we contact you on email or WhatsApp before we send it to the Immigration Department.
What are the most common mistakes for US travelers?
Most problems come from dates and names.
- Using the US departure date instead of the Vietnam arrival date.
- Leaving out a middle name that is printed in the passport. See middle name missing on a Vietnam visa.
- Choosing a weekday speed when it is already the weekend in Vietnam.
- Applying again because the first application is slow. Speed it up instead.
What documents does a US citizen need?
Only your passport and a photo, but both must be clear.
- US passport: valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Vietnam, with blank pages. A passport card is not accepted.
- Passport photo page: a sharp scan or phone photo with all 4 corners and the 2 lines at the bottom visible.
- Portrait photo: a recent, front-facing photo on a plain background, without glasses or a hat.
- Flight details: your landing date and airport in Vietnam.
US passports renewed recently have a new number. Use the number of the passport you will actually carry. A visa issued to an old passport number cannot be used.
Which airports can US travelers use?
All of Vietnam's main international airports accept the e-visa. Most flights from the US connect through Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong or Doha and land in one of these:
| Airport | Noi Bai (HAN) | Tan Son Nhat (SGN) | Da Nang (DAD) | Cam Ranh (CXR) | Phu Quoc (PQC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Da Nang | Nha Trang | Phu Quoc island |
The airport on your visa should match the one you land at. See the full list of Vietnam e-visa entry points.
Is the e-visa valid for US citizens?
Yes. Since August 2023, citizens of every country, including the United States, can use the Vietnam e-visa. It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
You can verify the result on the official Vietnam e-visa portal. For a longer guide written for Americans, see urgent Vietnam visa for US citizens in 1–2 days.
What if I am already at the airport?
Choose 30–60 minutes and message us right away. Send your flight number and check-in closing time on WhatsApp. We tell you honestly if it can still be done before you pay.
If Immigration refuses the visa because of the information provided, we refund the expedite fee (the government fee and payment fees are not refunded); if it is refused without a stated reason, we refund 100%. If we are more than 30 minutes late, we refund everything you paid. See our refund policy, or apply for your emergency visa now.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. US passport holders are not on Vietnam's visa exemption list, so you need an e-visa or another valid visa before you board.
Can I get a Vietnam visa in 1 hour as a US citizen?
Yes, with the 30–60 minute option during Vietnamese working hours. Apply in the US evening, which is the next morning in Vietnam.
What time should I apply from the US?
Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of New York and 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles in winter. Applying between about 8 PM and 5 AM Eastern time falls inside Vietnam's working day.
What if my flight is on a Sunday?
Use the weekend and holiday service for US$230. The result comes by about 6 PM Vietnam time on that day.
Need your visa today?
Urgent options from 30–60 minutes, also on weekends & holidays.
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