American tourists are not required to apply for a one-year visa.

The Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) announced that, after coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security has directed the Immigration Department to issue visas to US citizens entering Vietnam based on requests from US citizens, through agencies, organizations, and businesses that invite or sponsor them. The visa validity period can be up to one year, with multiple entries.

Accordingly, based on the regulations of the Ministry of Finance, the fee for a single-entry visa is $25, while a one-year, multiple-entry visa costs $135. Independent travelers to the US can apply for an e-visa, with a fee of $25.

Ms. Tran Thi Viet Huong, Marketing Director of Vietravel, said that allowing American tourists to enter Vietnam for short periods with short-term visas, not necessarily a one-year visa, is very suitable for tourists and makes them feel more comfortable. Since November 2016, American tourists of the company have been granted single-entry visas.

Previously, according to an agreement effective from May 29, 2016, between the two governments, US citizens entering Vietnam for tourism, seminars, conferences, private matters, or working with agencies, organizations, and businesses in Vietnam were granted a one-year, multiple-entry visa.

However, according to travel companies, this policy is only suitable for business travelers who need to visit Vietnam multiple times a year, while it has "restrictions" for tourists.

After some time, the US sent a diplomatic note to the State Department stating that granting visas to American tourists with a validity period of less than one year or valid for only one entry was not contrary to the agreement.

Source: Vnexpress

The Thanh