Fairbanks to Hanoi (Soc Son) (FAI–HAN) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

US passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam. The e-visa is the standard option, applied for at evisa.gov.vn. A single-entry e-visa costs $25 and a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50, both valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days. Upload a passport data page scan and a 4x6cm photo with a white background. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. Any mismatch between the e-visa application and passport details, including minor typos or missing middle names, can result in denied boarding or entry.

Vietnam also offers visa on arrival at major airports, but this requires a pre-approved invitation letter arranged through a Vietnamese travel agency before departure. The e-visa is simpler and accepted at all 13 international airports, 16 land border gates, and 13 seaports. At Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City or Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, proceed to the e-visa immigration lane with your printed approval. The 90-day stay can be extended once at the Vietnam Immigration Department for a fee.

Vietnam Airlines operates nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Ho Chi Minh City, about 15 hours 40 minutes on an Airbus A350, running 3 to 4 times per week. United Airlines launched nonstop service from San Francisco and Los Angeles to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in late 2025. From the US East Coast, connect through Tokyo (about 5 hours 30 minutes to SGN), Seoul (about 5 hours to SGN), or Taipei (about 3 hours 30 minutes). Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND), trading at roughly 26,250 VND per $1. Card payments work at hotels and larger restaurants. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app. A bowl of pho at a street stall costs VND 40,000 to VND 60,000 ($1.50 to $2.30).