Vietnam is on the rise as a favorite and popular country in South East Asia for English speaking countries, especially the USA with a wide range of activities: from the exploration of stunning natural sightseeing with all kinds of terrain, mountain/jungle trekking in between the rice terrace, beach relaxation, diversified culture & heroic history discovery.
Sounds interesting to you already? Let’s find out in
Vietnam tour packages from the USA.
- Flights to Vietnam from the USA
- How to get a Vietnam visa?
- Currency
- How long is a tour in Vietnam?
- Suggested Vietnam Tours and Beyond
- Where should you stay in each specific destination?
1. Flights to Vietnam from the USA
How long is the flight to Vietnam?
At the moment, flying to Vietnam takes pretty long time; which is at least 19 hours with a stopover in Hongkong, Manila, Taipei, Incheon, or Narita and arrival in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
It is for starting from big cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, New York or California.
Here are one of the shortest flight time from these common cities:
| Starting from |
Arrival in Hanoi |
Ho Chi Minh City |
| Boston |
19 hrs 15 mins |
19 hrs 55 mins |
| San Francisco |
20 hrs 30 mins |
16 hrs 20 mins (non-stop flight) |
| Chicago |
22 hrs 35 mins |
21 hrs 20 mins |
| New York |
20 hrs 25 mins |
20 hrs 25 mins |
| Washington |
21 hrs 45 mins |
21 hrs 5 mins |
| Seattle |
18 hrs 50 mins |
18 hrs 40 mins |
| Dallas |
21 hrs 56 mins |
18 hrs 37 mins |
| Los Angeleas |
20 hrs 35 mins |
19 hrs 20 mins |
Where to fly into Vietnam?
Vietnam has more than 10 international airports. There are 3 major places that you can see a lot of flights landing on from various countries in the world such as Noi Bai international airport (
Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat international airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang). If you are going to have a Vietnam visa on arrival, those 3 must be your arrival airport.
Direct or connecting flights?
When searching for flights from the USA to Vietnam, you have several options. Here are some of the common routes and airlines that operate flights between the two countries:
1. Direct Flights:
Vietnam Airlines: Only airline that offers direct flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Connecting Flights:
– Korean Air: Offers connecting flights via Seoul from various US cities to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
– Cathay Pacific: Provides connecting flights via Hong Kong from multiple US cities to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
– China Airlines: Operates connecting flights via Taipei from select US cities to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
– Japan Airlines: Offers connecting flights via Tokyo from several US cities to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
These are just a few examples, and there may be other airlines that operate flights between the USA and Vietnam.
It’s best to check with travel search engines or airline websites for the most up-to-date and specific flight options, as availability and routes may vary.
2. How to get a Vietnam visa?
American citizens can obtain a Vietnam visa through different methods. Here are 3 common ways for you to obtain a Vietnam visa:
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Apply online: Americans can apply for a visa approval letter from many Vietnam tour companies. Normally, if you book a Vietnam tour package with us, we are glad to offer you this letter as a complimentary one.
The approval letter allows you to pick up your visa upon arrival at selected international airports in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
Upon arrival, you need to present the approval letter, passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, and pay the visa stamping fee in cash.
Note: Just keep in mind that E-Visa is only used when you enter and exit Vietnam by airplane since it is not accepted in the land or waterway borders.
E-Visa
Apply online: Since February 2017, American citizens are eligible to apply for an e-visa directly through the Vietnam Immigration Department’s official website.
Vietnam increased the duration of e-visas for travelers from the USA, Canada, and Australia from 30 days to 3 months, this is official from the 15th of August 2023.
Embassy Application
Apply in person/by mail: You can apply for a Vietnam visa by submitting your application, passport, passport-sized photos, and supporting documents (such as invitation letters or travel itineraries) to the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate in the United States.
Processing times and requirements may vary depending on the embassy/consulate.
3. Currency
Vietnamese currency is Vietnam Dong (VND) and this is the most convenient way to buy things in Vietnam.
It is pretty much easy to convert USD to VND in Vietnam airports with a fair rate; or some bank branches such as Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, Exim Bank, etc.
One of the biggest inconveniences is how to distinguish each bill’s value because there are so many numbers in our notes – the tip is to remember its color.
USD can be traded while traveling in Vietnam too; however, make sure you are aware of the exchange rate or else, many scammers will take the price much higher than the products’ true value.
4. How long is a tour in Vietnam?
As far as my experience, a typical length of stay for US travelers in Vietnam is around 10 to 14 days.
This timeframe allows you to explore the country’s highlights while still leaving room for relaxation and cultural immersion.
Here’s a general itinerary that you could consider:
1. Hanoi (2-3 days):
Explore the bustling capital city, visit historical sites like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Temple of Literature, and take a stroll around the charming Old Quarter.
Experience being like a local by visiting the markets to witness the authentic side of Hanoi.
2. Halong Bay (2-3 days):
Take a cruise or boat tour in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of ,Halong Bay, known for its limestone karsts and emerald waters.
3. Hue (1-2 days):
Visit the former imperial capital of Hue and explore its citadel, royal tombs, and pagodas.
4. Hoi An (2-3 days):
Experience the enchanting ancient town of Hoi An, known for its rich architecture, lantern-lit streets, and vibrant local markets.
If you are seeking more unique things to do, you can explore the hidden gems of Hoi An on the outskirts.
Discover the bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon, visit the War Remnants Museum, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, and experience the city’s vibrant street food scene by taking a Vespa tour.
6. Mekong Delta (1-2 days):
Take a boat trip through the scenic waterways to witness the local life on floating houses, visit floating markets, and experience rural life in the region will be the highlights of your trip.
5. Suggested Vietnam Tours and Beyond
Though we focus mainly on customizing private trips for USA travelers, we build up some samples of classic and unique tour packages from one week to three weeks of itineraries that cover all the main highlight sites throughout the country and beyond.
For more itinerary recommendations, check out more ideas and inspirations in our list of Vietnam package tours.
6. Where should you stay in each specific destination?
For any place, staying in the heart of the city center is one of the best things you should do to get the ultimate experience of local life. It means, for getting around you can save the transferring time and cost; instead, it is more interesting to just wander all the vibrant streets with very Asian ambiance, taste Vietnam street food and witness how we conduct the daily life.
Besides, for cities that have beaches, it is better to stay near the coast so that you can relax as much as you can. Do not worry too much of not getting into the local markets or residence area; almost all resorts by the beach offer free shuttle van to the city/town center every day.