Do US passport holders need a visa to visit Phu Quoc, Vietnam, after traveling to Thailand?

Apr 26, 2024
7 months ago
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi I’m coming too Thailand for 1 week then plan on traveling too pho qoc for 1 week. Then back too Thailand for 1 week. I’m on us passport I always get visa on arrival in Thailand but will I need a visa too go Vietnam? Tia
8,623
views
18
likes
255
all likes
111
replies
3
images
36
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
US passport holders do not need a visa to visit Phu Quoc as long as they enter directly from an international destination and leave to another country. However, if they plan to travel to mainland Vietnam from Phu Quoc, they will need to obtain an e-visa. This is a unique policy for Phu Quoc, which allows for visa exemption under certain conditions, but US citizens must ensure they follow the correct procedures to avoid issues.
Todd **********
What are you talking about a visa? You don’t need no visa to travel to Thailand with that American passport I don’t understand you. Do you do whatever you want. You’re only go over a week here in a week there you don’t need our advice. Go ahead and have fun.
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd *********
read the post Todd I know how too go Thailand been there 12 times. Lived there 3 years. The post is how about entering pho quoc Vietnam some say I need evisa some say not for pho quoc
John *********
It easy to find the answer on google.
Steve *******
Maybe you should find a Vietnam visa advice group :)
Harry *********
To, not too
Thomas *******
To,.....not too
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well thank you all that tried too answer the question. Unfortunately these posts usually turn into a pissing contest grammar etc. but I’m going too Thailand October with my Thai wife. 1 week then we’re going too phu quoc. Then returning back too Thailand for our last week. I will let you know how it all worked out. Thanks again
Christopher *************
Answer in less than 20 seconds you can get a visa on arrival. The real question is should you even be travelling unaccompanied if you can't find something that simple out by yourself?
Dennis **********
@Christopher ************
he is American of course he should not be allowed to travel unaccompanied
Christopher *************
Google do US passport holders need visas for Vietnam?
Donald *********
Take two tutus to Thailand too
Marc ********
No you don't need visa if you go to Phu Quoc by plane.
Mathias *******
Is English your native language?
David ******
@Mathias ******
I was wondering the exact same thing lol
Malcolm *********
Kim *********
@Malcolm ********
me too I hope you mean
Richard *******
Yes you need a visa and also need to clean up some of the agent orange. Bon voyage!
Pascal ********
visa on arrival 😂😂😂
Brent ********
Yes
Brad *******
The man said he is US.....who cares about UK? 🤣🤣
Dave *********
@Brad ******
The man said he wants to know about visas for Vietnam, this page is for Thai visas. Who cares if 'he is United States' (or American). :) :)
Bart **************
You do not need a visa for Phu Quoc. Not many people know this arrangement, but you can get visa exemption for just Phu Quoc.

If you have flights to and from Phu Quoc, you don't have an issue. If you fly via, say, Saigon, you can still do it. At the border, tell the official that you want to use the visa exemption to Phu Quoc. You require a domestic flight from where you are to to Phu Quoc for the same day (make sure that you leave at least 4 hours in between for all the steps involved and a buffer to absorb setbacks), and an onward flight from Vietnam to another country within 30 days. Some official will then come to escort you to the domestic flight, holding your passport. With him by your side you go to get your luggage and go to the domestic terminal, where he will check you in, and ensure that you're on the flight before he goes back into hibernation.

For the interested reader: you can use this arrangement also if you failed to find out that Vietnam requires a visa for your nationality and you're facing refusal on an expensive intercontinental flight to Saigon or Hanoi. You could book a flight to Phu Quoc and one from there to, say, Bangkok or KL. These two qualify you for entry of Vietnam and hence for boarding. I believe you can no longer get Vietnam visas with lightning speed like before, which would have allowed you to ditch both short flights and just enter Vietnam mainland, but you can go to Phu Quoc and get a visa for the rest of Vietnam there. Could still be more economical than ditching and rebooking an intercontinental return flight.
Bart **************
I once had an interesting conversation with a girl about this arrangement, with unfortunate outcome.

She: I'm going from KL to Vietnam, so excited!! I'm flying to Phu Quoc and then go the mainland next. My flight is next Tuesday.

Me: Oh that's excellent! You can then use the visa exemption for Phu Quoc and get your visa for the rest of Vietnam there. Had you started elsewhere in Vietnam, you'd not have had the time to get a visa in time.

She: visa for Vietnam?? Do I require a visa for Vietnam?!?!

Me: yes you do. But not upfront as you start in Phu Quoc, where you can get one.

She: *full panic mode* I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU NEED A VISA TO VIETNAM. HELP!!!

Me: errr, well the news that I just told you and the reason I spoke up, is that you don't need one in your case. Get it in Phu Quoc. You're good to go. Don't move mountains, your current booking is good!

She: wait I'll call a visa agent to clarify.

*Calls visa agent*

*Visa agent sees a potential customer 🥴*

She: visa agent helped me very much. He said this Phu Quoc thing is very unclear and he said it is better to just go to mainland Vietnam first. I have purchased my visa via him. It will not be on time for Tuesday so I'll ditch the flight and book a new one. But I'm so happy that the visa agent helped me solve this immense problem! I feel so relieved!

Me: 🤔🧐
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
so that's just for certain country's then
Bart **************
@Chris ********************
visa exemption for Phu Quoc is universal.

The necessity to get a visa for mainland Vietnam is not universal, because there are several countries, 14 if I'm correct, that get 15 days visa exemption. It includes a few major western countries but it also excludes quite a few. You really need to check whether you get it or not if you don't know, you can't just ask some fellow western guy who may be from a different western country.
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
iv just come back last week ,when I entered veitnam I got 45 days visa exempt, that's the second time this year we have been, no visa required
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
you're British, you don't need an e-visa for entry to mainland Vietnam. The OP is American, he does to enter the mainland.

Phu Quoc is visa free for all nationalities provided you enter from overseas and leave going overseas.
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
I know mate but when I Google it said for us passport visa on arrival
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
there are no visas on arrival anymore
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
we are talking about Vietnam aren't we
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
so how comes I get 45 days on arrival not being funny or nowt mate but do I get visa exempt when I go
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
thats not a visa on arrival is it? That's visa exempt.
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
that's what we on about Vietnam not Thailand
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
correct, there is no visa on arrival in Vietnam anymore. You, as a Brit, gets a 45 day visa exempt entry to Vietnam. Most countries need to have either a visa in their passport or the evisa approved before being allowed on the plane to Vietnam at the airport.
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
not contradicting anyone any more Google needs to up date ,with what I read
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
what you read on Google is several years out of date.
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
no wonder it says us passport can enter visa on arrival
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
yes mate the question that's unclear to us is a few ports of entry which he can get visa exempt listed on Google if coming and leaving to a different country
Bart **************
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
just looked again, about 5 different entry points US passport holders can get visa on arrival, no need for application b4 you go
Bart **************
@Chris ********************
Vietnam has ditched the visa on arrival. It no longer exists.

Reason they did that is probably its highly inaccurate naming, because as you have now demonstrated, the name "visa on arrival" makes people think that you can get this visa on arrival. But that was not the case. You needed to apply for it upfront. The necessity to apply upfront is still there, and the visa cost and accompanying conditions have also been maintained. But what they dropped is the name, so that it's now clear that you can NOT get your visa on arrival. It's called an "e-visa" now. En passant, they have also gotten rid of the necessity to use a visa agent, which is another good development. You now buy the visa from the Vietnamese government directly, as it should be.
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
how long ago did it change, and why is Google still approving it ???
Bart **************
@Chris ********************
it's very hard to get rid of old info from the net. Every now and then we get people in this group asking about 45 days visa exemption to Thailand, or, worse, firmly believing that that's what they get. It has been like that for two brief periods, during the fall of the covid era and again shortly after, but it has now been back to 30 for a while already and there's no plan to bring back the 45. Yet you can still find it, and it's not just one or two sources, it's quite a few. Unfortunate situation.
Chris *********************
@Bart *************
I'll try and screen shot ,I'm no good with technology
Chris *********************
I give up Google information needs updating then
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
that’s why I’m confused google says I need passport but also says if I’m coming from Thailand too Vietnam then I don’t need visa lol
Chris *********************
@Robert ***********
that's my understanding to ,I Google your question, and the response from Google was a list of entry points, US passport holders can enter visa exempt, if coming in and leaving to a different country 🤔
Chris ***********
@Chris ********************
surely, that's my understanding "too" ;)
Dan *********
You have to apply on line then get a permission letter sent to you. In the airport next to the Immigration lines, you will pay a small fee and get in the que. they will call you and issue then u go to the immigration lines next to it
Jeffrey *********
@Dan ********
That "permission letter" system has been unavailable since covid. The current e-visa system is accurately described by
@Darren ******
in his comment.
Darren *******
@Dan ********
you apply on the official website and pay USD 25, or USD 50 if multiple entry 90 days, get approved, print out, give that to immigration officer and get stamped in. No further money required, or letters, unless you've gone through an agent and been fleeced.
Terary **********
@Dan ********
When I did this they were funny about paying in cash. They required crisp brand-new $20 bills. This was about 5 years ago. I would recommend bringing with you brand new $20 bills specific to pay.
กะลาสี *****
*******************************************************************
%2Dvisas%20are%20issued%20with,gates%2C%20including%20all%20international%20airports
David ******
Pho qoc is in France next to Cock D’or
David *******
I’m not usually one to comment on grammar but the word “too”, which rarely makes an appearance at all in bad grammar posts, being used four times and all wrong must be some kind of record. Good luck and enjoy the trip… too.
Chris *********************
@David ******
oh yes the name fits burke
David *******
@Chris ********************
how many names do you want, mate? Or is the last one your mood?
Chris *********************
@David ******
you pulling people down about there spelling or Grammer, no need,
David *******
@Chris ********************
it was a joke and I believe it was taken as such. Though, I now see why you’re so touchy on the grammar subject.
Chris *********************
@David ******
don't have to be educated to earn money, people can do well without o levels and gcses

😄 so go back to your dictionary boaring
David *******
@Chris ********************
go back and read my comment… and have a Leo.
Chris *********************
@David ******
not you again, and yes I'm having a beer beside my pool in front of my way to big houses, with plenty of money in the bank, pensions coming out my ears ,

Not bad for a uneducated miner, come retired Hgv1 driver, 60 years old, hahaha 😆 😜 🤣
David *******
@Chris ********************
jeeze mate, I was basically suggesting to just chill out, but seems you’ve got quite a chip on your shoulder. I’ll spell it out more explicitly… re-read my comment, it was only intended as a bit of banter/fun. It’s Friday arvo, you’re in Thailand, enjoy a beer. Cheers 🍻
Chris *********************
@David ******
ok finally found common ground
Steve **********
@David ******
lot if frustrated school teachers on this site.

To, too, two, is frustrating to many.
Harreson *********
@Steve *********
Your right about that.,😊
David *******
@Steve *********
too many mate, toooooo many.
Steve **********
@David ******
I think do too
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
but I’m fortunate there are people that still comprehend what I’m asking and saying
David *******
@Robert ***********
you’re setting records but the main thing is you’re giving it a go 👍
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
I’m so sorry for my grammar I finished 8th grade and I’m 59.5 and still don’t know how too read and write. But thank you
Richard ********
@Robert ***********
But can you count cards tooooo?
David *******
@Richard *******
he can certainly count years, very accurate.
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *******
yes I have been dealing all games 38 years that’s all I know how too do
Paul ********
@David ******
You two too 🕶
Rob **********
Being a US passport holder you have never got a visa on arrival when you enter Thailand, it is a 30 day visa exempt stamp you receive upon arrival in Thailand.
Chris *********************
@Rob *********
we talking about veitnam not Thailand
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
yes you’re correct I used the wrong terminology sorry I confused you. I have entered thailand 12 times and I lived there 3 years.
Todd *********
@Robert ***********
then how is even possible that you didn’t understand the difference between visa exempt and visa on arrival. It takes 5 minutes, not 5 years
Chris *********************
@Todd ********
he's a Crank another Billy Brown
Rob **********
@Robert ***********
no you didn’t confuse me at all, don’t know why you have to tell me how long you have been here, it’s inconsequential how long, but using the correct terminology helps. But if you are trying to impress me it didn’t work, I have been married to my Thai wife for over 35 years and have been here for decades, so looks like you lost that pissing contest😂😂In future nobody is interested how long you have been here for, if you have been here for as long as you say, you should know the correct terminology by now, which is extremely important when dealing with immigration matters.
Steve **********
@Rob *********
appears you are the one trying to impress, while you attempt to degrade someone's terminology .

Be civil !
Soph *******
@Steve *********
Ikr the lack of emotional regulation. It's like callllm the heck down .🤔🤣
Kevin **********
@Soph ******
don't be messing with no Bowie Bulldog
Soph *******
@Kevin *********
damn straight 😂
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
no I just thought that you would understand that what ever I got the 12 times I have visited too Thailand it is what it is. Been with my Thai wife now 10 years. I lived in Thailand 3 years so whatever I had I managed too get in Thailand and to live in Thailand
Chris *********************
@Robert ***********
bull shit 😤
Chris *********************
@Robert ***********
so what ever you got to do what you did what was it ,please tell us 🤔
Chris *********************
@Robert ***********
you are making no sense with your comments please explain
Chris *********************
No visa required for veitnam, for uk passport holders, you get 45 days on arrival, should be same for USA passports
Jennifer ********
@Chris ********************
Only 14 nationalities get the 45 day visa exemption. The US isn't one of them, so requires getting an evisa before arrival. But specifically for Phu Quoc, it's visa free if you arrive from & depart to another country, not elsewhere in VN.
Chris *********************
@Jennifer *******
Google there is 5 ports of entry us passports can enter visa exempt, if coming from and leaving to another country.
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
US nationals require a visa to enter mainland Vietnam. They don't require one to enter Phu Quoc provided they enter directly from overseas and leave to go overseas.
Chris *********************
@Darren ******
iv just Google it mate there are 5 points of entry into veitnam, what us passports get visa on arrival, including DA nang .
Jeffrey *********
@Chris ********************
You probably looked at something like this and overlooked the part that says "once you have your letter...". The "visa on arrival" system that they're talking about (which has basically been defunct since covid) was only for people with pre-approval letters to get a visa affixed to their passport at one of those airports - it NEVER allowed Americans to just show up without prior authorization and get a visa upon landing.
Darren *******
@Chris ********************
US nationals need an e-visa to enter mainland Vietnam. They don't need any kind of visa to enter Phu Quoc provided that they arrive directly from overseas.
Scott *******
Depends on where you are from. I am British. Visited Phu Quoc in January and mainland last week. No visa required. If you are American you will require as they want to check you are not trying to invade 😂
Sergio *****
@Scott ******
yes...you need visa...they want to make sure you are not Spy..
Bob **********
@Scott ******
yes leave your B-52 license at home
Steve **********
@Bob *********
but if determined, and no idea why, win this time, eh
Scott *******
@Steve *********
please don’t. No reason to. The Vietnamese pose no threat. They are good people.
Peter **********
@Scott ******
People don’t make wars. Governments do.
Steve **********
@Scott ******
They were good people then. I had no idea why I was there, but as kids, we were toys to Govt.

Have regretted every day my countries involvement.

If not for the need of GI Bill, would have gone to Canada.
Scott *******
@Steve *********
I understand. No point in beating yourself up over it mate.
Steve **********
@Scott ******
stopped that in 66 when returned, but now live in SE Asia, the impact of 'our' impact doesn't go away. But :

mai pen rai.
Darren *******
Not for Phu Quoc you don't, no.

But you have to enter Phu Quoc from overseas and leave Phu Quoc to go overseas - you can't go from Phu Quoc to mainland Vietnam unless you have an e-visa already as a US national.
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ******
thank you
Robert ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jeffrey *******
Yes. You must have visa for Vietnam!
Janne ***********
Yes you need a visa to Vietnam...apply for evisa o. Vietnam's official govt site for visas..
William ******
@Janne **********
check it out er 4x. For errors very common, ask me how I know...
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else