Overview
Vietnam has three distinct covered cities: Ho Chi Minh City (the south, fast-paced with the biggest business and nightlife scene), Hanoi (the north, the capital, more historic and traditional) and Da Nang (the central coast, calmer and beach-adjacent). The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND) — prices commonly run into the hundreds of thousands, so don't be alarmed by the number of zeroes on a menu or receipt.
Unlike several Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam is not visa-free for US citizens: an e-Visa is mandatory ($25 single-entry, $50 multiple-entry), valid for 90 days and not extendable in-country — you exit and apply for a fresh e-Visa rather than expecting an in-country renewal. The e-Visa is also entry-only valid at a defined list of checkpoints (83 as of December 2025), so confirm your specific arrival airport or border crossing is on the current list before applying.
There's no dedicated long-stay nomad visa; longer-term residence routes run through a sponsoring employer, investment, or marriage to a Vietnamese citizen instead.
Cities in Vietnam
Sorted by dating scene score. Ranks skip any city under a do-not-travel advisory.
| # | City | Dating | Safety | Cost / mo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | 8 | 7 | $700 | City guide |
| 2 | Hanoi | 7.5 | 7.5 | $600 | City guide |
| 3 | Da Nang | 7 | 8 | $500 | City guide |
Visa and entry for US passport holders
Tourist entry
- Duration
- 90 days
- Max stay
- 90 days per e-Visa
- Extension
- No in-country extension on the e-Visa — you must exit and apply for a new one
- Requirements
- e-Visa ($25 single-entry / $50 multiple-entry)
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Passport photo
Processing: 3 business days for the e-Visa
Long-stay options
Temporary Residence Card (via work permit or investment)
Duration
1–3 years
Fee
Varies
- • Sponsoring employer, investment, or marriage to a Vietnamese citizen — no dedicated nomad visa exists
Worth knowing
- The e-Visa is entry-only valid at a defined list of checkpoints (83 as of December 2025) — confirm your arrival airport/border crossing is on the list before applying.
- No extensions or visa runs work the way they used to — plan a real exit if you need more than 90 days, and re-apply for a fresh e-Visa rather than expecting an in-country renewal.
Verified 17 Sept 2026. Sources: Vietnam e-Visa — national portal on immigration. See the full visa requirements page for every country.
Safety in Vietnam
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 1 as of June 24, 2026.
Dating-related scam patterns
- Pig-butchering crypto/investment scams via dating apps, part of the same regional pattern seen in Cambodia and the Philippines
Generally safer areas
District 1, District 2/Thao Dien (HCMC), Tay Ho (Hanoi), My Khe Beach (Da Nang)
Areas to avoid
No notable no-go districts for violent crime; watch belongings in dense markets
Verified 17 Sept 2026. Emergency: 113 (Police), 115 (Medical). Sources: US State Dept travel advisory — Vietnam, Global Peace Index 2026 — Institute for Economics & Peace / Vision of Humanity. See the full safety ratings page for every country.
Who Vietnam is for — and the honest downsides
Good fit if
- +Men who want a genuine three-city choice between a fast-paced south, a historic north and a calmer central coast, all within one low-cost country.
- +Anyone comfortable applying for an e-Visa in advance and confirming their arrival point is on the current checkpoint list.
- +People drawn to Vietnam's food culture and rapidly developing cities specifically.
Downsides
- −The e-Visa is a mandatory extra step most Southeast Asian neighbors don't require, and it's not extendable in-country.
- −Motorbike traffic density is, in practical terms, a bigger everyday risk to visitors than crime.
- −Pig-butchering crypto-investment scams via dating apps are part of a wider pattern seen across the region.
- −No dedicated long-stay nomad visa; residence routes run through employment, investment or marriage rather than a purpose-built visa.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes — an e-Visa is mandatory, unlike several neighboring Southeast Asian countries. It costs $25 for single-entry or $50 for multiple-entry, is valid for 90 days, and is not extendable in-country.
What should I check before applying for the e-Visa?
That your specific arrival airport or border crossing is on Vietnam's current list of approved checkpoints (83 as of December 2025) — the e-Visa is only valid for entry at listed points.
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Da Nang?
Ho Chi Minh City for the fastest pace and biggest business/nightlife scene; Hanoi for a more historic, traditional capital feel; Da Nang for a calmer, beach-adjacent option. Each city page has the specifics.
Is there a long-stay visa for remote workers in Vietnam?
No dedicated nomad visa exists. Longer-term residence routes run through a sponsoring employer, an investment, or marriage to a Vietnamese citizen instead.