Vietnam to USA: B1/B2 Visa Guide, Best Travel Cards & Complete Planning

Visa requirements

Flights from Vietnam to United States

Money, cards & forex fees

ATMs in United States

Top cities in United States

US visa for Vietnamese passport holders: the B1/B2 tourist visa

Vietnamese nationals require a B1/B2 Tourist/Business Visa to enter the United States. Vietnam is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. The application is made at the US Embassy in Hanoi (7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District) or the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City (4 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1). The process: complete DS-160 at ceac.state.gov, pay the $185 MRV fee, schedule an appointment, attend for biometrics and interview, and await the decision (typically 3–8 weeks). The interview is brief but significant. Visa officers reviewing Vietnamese applications pay particular attention to financial documentation and evidence of ties to Vietnam. Why? Vietnam has historically had significant emigration pressure to the USA — officers need to be confident the applicant is genuinely a tourist and will return. Key factors that strengthen a Vietnamese application: high and stable income (evidenced by 6 months of bank statements showing consistent salary deposits), property ownership in Vietnam (land use rights certificate or apartment ownership), current employment at a reputable Vietnamese company, spouse and children in Vietnam, and previous international travel history with returns. If approved, Vietnamese nationals typically receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa.

Step-by-step: applying for a US B1/B2 visa from Vietnam

Step 1: Complete DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. The form requires employment history for 5 years, addresses for 5 years, travel history, and education. Fill it in English. Step 2: Pay the $185 MRV fee at Citibank Vietnam branches or as directed by the embassy website. Step 3: Create an account at ustraveldocs.com/vn and schedule your biometrics appointment (OFC) and then your interview appointment at either Hanoi or HCMC. Check both cities for availability — sometimes one has shorter wait times. Step 4: Gather all documentation. Step 5: Attend your biometrics appointment first, then your interview. Dress professionally. Bring all documents organised in a folder. The interview is typically 3–5 minutes. Step 6: Track your case online after the interview. If approved, your passport will be returned with the visa stamped within 5–10 business days via courier or available for pickup. If refused under Section 214(b), address the officer's documented concerns and reapply with stronger evidence.

Document checklist for Vietnamese US visa applicants

Financial documents — the most important category: 6 months of bank statements from Vietnamese banks (Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV, Agribank, VPBank, MB Bank) showing regular salary deposits and a healthy balance. The balance should be credibly sufficient to fund the trip — a rule of thumb is having at least 3–4 times the estimated trip cost in your account. Salary certificate from your employer on official company letterhead. Personal income tax documentation if available. Employment proof: employment contract, letter from employer confirming position, salary, leave approval dates, and confirmation that you will return to work. Company stamp on the letter is important in Vietnam. Property ties: land use rights certificate (Giấy chứng nhận quyền sử dụng đất) or apartment ownership documents in your name or immediate family's name. Family ties: family register (Hộ khẩu), marriage certificate, children's birth certificates. Crucially: if you have family members already in the USA on permanent residence or citizenship, this increases scrutiny — you need very strong Vietnam-side ties to overcome this. Travel details: confirmed return flight booking, US accommodation booking. Previous visa history: all prior passports with visa stamps.

Best flights from Vietnam to the USA

There are no direct non-stop flights between Vietnam and the USA. All routing involves at least one connection. From Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN), the main routing options: Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong HKG — consistently rated one of the best transit experiences in Asia. Connections to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, Chicago ORD, Boston BOS, and Seattle SEA. Journey time HCMC to New York approximately 19–20 hours. Korean Air via Seoul Incheon (ICN) — Incheon Airport is world-class and Korean Air's Economy cabin is among the most comfortable in the Asia-Pacific sector. Vietnam Airlines connects to US cities via Tokyo NRT (code-sharing with ANA) or Seoul ICN. Economy fares from HCMC or Hanoi to New York start around $650–900 return booked 6–8 weeks ahead. To Los Angeles slightly cheaper at $600–820 return. Booking tip: check Vietnam Airlines' promotional fares on their website — they run aggressive sales for US routes particularly in September–November.

Vietnamese-American communities: a unique US travel resource

One of the most distinctive aspects of the USA for Vietnamese visitors is the extraordinary Vietnamese-American community — the largest overseas Vietnamese population in the world at over 2.2 million people. This diaspora, concentrated in Southern California, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest, provides a cultural bridge unlike anything most other nationalities experience in the USA. Little Saigon in Westminster and Garden Grove, Orange County (30 miles south of Los Angeles) is the largest Vietnamese community outside Vietnam. The scale is astonishing — multiple Vietnamese commercial districts, enormous pho restaurants open 24 hours, bánh mì bakeries, Vietnamese supermarkets (99 Ranch Market, Lee's Sandwiches), and cultural events including the annual Tết parade. If you have any connection to Orange County, visiting Little Saigon is a must. Houston's Midtown and Southwest Houston have significant Vietnamese communities with excellent food. San Jose's East San Jose is another major hub, conveniently located for Silicon Valley tech visitors.

ATMs and cash for Vietnamese travellers in the USA

The VND/USD exchange rate (approximately 25,000 VND per USD) means US prices feel very high in Vietnamese dong terms. A $200/night hotel room costs VND 5 million. Managing every dollar of fees matters. Standard Vietnamese bank cards (Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV) charge approximately 2.5–3% on international transactions. US ATMs add $3–5 per withdrawal. On a $200 withdrawal with a standard Vietnamese bank card: approximately $12–14 in total fees. Wise is the best solution: load VND into Wise, convert to USD at the mid-market rate, and spend from your USD balance with zero fees. Free Allpoint ATM withdrawals (CVS/Walgreens/Target) within monthly limits. Techcombank has slightly better international rates than other Vietnamese banks if you want to stay with a domestic card. Never exchange VND at US exchange bureaux or airports — VND is a restricted currency and rates will be extremely poor.

Best travel cards for Vietnamese travellers spending in USD

The zero-forex card market in Vietnam is still developing compared to Singapore or Thailand. The best options as of 2026: Wise Multi-Currency Card is the top recommendation — convert VND to USD at the mid-market rate through the Wise app (3–5% better than bank forex rates), load onto the card, and spend in the USA at zero transaction fee. Available to Vietnamese users via international sign-up with a valid email and document verification. Techcombank Visa Platinum charges 2% on international transactions — lower than most Vietnamese bank cards and has better international acceptance than local-network cards. VPBank Visa Signature and MB Bank World Mastercard are reasonable alternatives with slightly better international benefits than standard cards. For US car rental: credit cards are required by US rental car agencies (debit cards are often refused or require a large deposit). If you hold a Techcombank or VPBank credit card, bring it for car rentals specifically.

How much does a trip to the USA cost from Vietnam?

A US trip is a significant financial commitment for most Vietnamese travellers. Estimated costs for a 10-night New York trip: Return flights Hanoi or HCMC to New York (economy, via Asian hub): $650–900 (VND 16–22.5 million). Hotel New York (budget to mid-range): $150–220/night × 10 = $1,500–2,200 (VND 37.5–55 million). Food and entertainment: $100–150/day for two × 10 = $1,000–1,500 (VND 25–37.5 million). Tips: $200–300 (VND 5–7.5 million). Total per person: approximately $2,000–2,900 excluding flights (VND 50–72 million) — or $2,650–3,800 including flights. This represents 3–4 months' salary for many Vietnamese professionals — a trip requiring careful saving and planning. Shopping and souvenirs add significantly. Travel insurance for the USA is non-negotiable — US healthcare costs without insurance can exceed $50,000 for a serious incident.

Arriving in the USA from Vietnam: immigration and first day

Vietnamese passport holders with B1/B2 visas go through standard immigration at US airports. Have your passport with the visa page visible, your I-94 information, and your US accommodation address ready for the CBP officer. Immigration questions are standard: purpose of visit, duration, where you are staying. Answer confidently and concisely. Your I-94 record is generated electronically — check at i94.cbp.dhs.gov within 24 hours. At customs: declare all Vietnamese food items — packaged foods should be declared. Do not bring fresh vegetables, meats, or fish sauce in unsealed containers. From JFK: AirTrain + subway $8.50. From LAX: rideshare or FlyAway bus. If arriving in Los Angeles, consider heading to Little Saigon in Orange County on your first or second day — the contrast between the LA freeway drive and arriving at a Vietnamese-American community is striking and welcoming. Activate your Wise card at an Allpoint ATM and pick up a T-Mobile Tourist SIM at the airport.

Cryptocurrency in the USA for Vietnamese visitors

Vietnam is one of the world's most active cryptocurrency markets per capita — a significant percentage of the population holds crypto despite limited formal regulation. The USA's Bitcoin ATM network (30,000+) offers Vietnamese crypto holders easy access to USD cash, though BTM fees of 8–15% make them expensive compared to card spending. For Vietnamese visitors with USDT (Tether) or other stablecoins held on international exchanges, OTC conversion to USD via US-based services is possible, though regulatory compliance requires careful attention. For everyday US spending, Wise card remains the most practical and cost-effective solution. US digital payments operate entirely on Visa/Mastercard — VNPay QR codes, Momo wallet, and ZaloPay are not accepted outside Vietnam.

On-arrival tips

• 1Little Saigon in Westminster, Orange County (near Los Angeles) is the world's largest Vietnamese community outside Vietnam — an extraordinary cultural experience
• 2If you have family members with US permanent residency or citizenship, expect more detailed questions from CBP about your ties to Vietnam
• 3The VND/USD rate (approximately 25,000:1) means US prices feel extremely high in dong terms — a $250/night hotel costs VND 6.25 million per night
• 4Visa interview at US Embassy Hanoi or HCMC — bring all financial documents. Financial proof is the most important part of your application
• 5Vietnamese-American communities in Houston TX, San Jose CA, and Orange County CA are among the most vibrant overseas Vietnamese communities globally
• 6Download Zalo before travel and advise Vietnamese contacts that WhatsApp is the preferred messaging app for international use