A US tourist visa (B1/B2) requires an in-person interview at the US Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Steps: fill in the DS-160 online, pay the fee, book an interview, and attend with your passport and documents.
- Bring: passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter; proof of job, income, assets, savings; proof of ties to Vietnam; trip itinerary.
- Fee (as of Oct 2026): USD 185, non-refundable even if refused. US law has added a USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee at issuance, but collection is being rolled out unevenly; check the embassy website when you apply.
- Timing: depends on available interview slots, from a few weeks to several months; check current wait times on the US State Department website.
- Apply as early as possible, ideally 3–6 months before travel.
Note: at the interview, answer briefly and honestly, consistent with your DS-160. Your permitted length of stay is decided by the officer at the US border.