How to Renew a Vietnamese Passport in the U.S.: A Complete A–Z Guide

Is your Vietnamese passport about to expire — or already expired — while you're living in the U.S. and unable to travel home? The good news is you can renew or replace your Vietnamese passport right here in the U.S. without flying back. This guide covers everything from eligibility and documents to special cases and the mistakes that slow files down. If you just want it done quickly, you can jump straight to VietVisas's Vietnamese passport renewal service.

What makes VietVisas different

These are the points that matter most when you renew through VietVisas:

• Fast — just 2–3 business days.
• Free overnight shipping included, delivered to your door.
• No risk of losing valuable original documents — you only send photos and keep your passport in hand.
• You pay only after you receive the new passport.

In other words, you save time, keep your original documents safe, and don't pay a cent until the new passport is in your hands. That's why many overseas Vietnamese choose a service instead of juggling the post office and the consulate themselves.

"Renew" or "replace"? Understand it to get it right

The current passport design is not "renewed" by adding time to the old booklet. Instead, the competent authority issues a brand-new booklet to replace the expiring one — people still call it "renewing," but it's really a replacement. An adult passport (age 14+) is typically valid for 10 years; children under 14 get a shorter validity.

The name matters less than preparing the right file. Whether you search "renew Vietnamese passport" or "replace Vietnamese passport," the procedure you need is the same.

When should you get a new passport?

• Your passport has less than 6 months before it expires — many countries and airlines require at least 6 months of validity from your entry date.
• Your passport has already expired — it's still replaced as normal; you don't lose your citizenship.
• The passport has run out of stamp pages.
• Your personal details changed (name change after marriage, updated information).
• You're planning to travel to Vietnam or abroad, or handle paperwork that needs a valid passport.

Don't wait until close to your travel date — renewing early keeps you in control and avoids rush handling.

Documents to prepare

For most cases, the file is just a few photos you can take on your phone:

1. Photo of your Vietnamese passport (pages 2 & 3 on one side).
2. Photo of your U.S. passport or Green Card.
3. A headshot (from chest up to head, no glasses) — you can take it on your phone.
4. Photo of your Vietnamese Citizen ID (CCCD), front and back (if you have one).
5. Your mailing address and phone number to receive the new passport.

No notarization, and you don't mail any originals. A few special cases may need extra documents — see below.

The step-by-step process

1. Prepare the photos on the list above.
2. Send them to VietVisas — via Facebook, Zalo, phone, or email.
3. A specialist reviews the file, advises on anything extra for special cases, and submits it to the competent authority.
4. Track progress and receive the new passport at home.

If you do it yourself, you'll manage the timing, mailing, and tracking on your own. With an all-in service like VietVisas, a specialist prepares, files, and tracks it for you — all in Vietnamese — and your passport arrives at home.

Special cases

Not every file is the same. Common situations:

• The name on your U.S. passport / Green Card differs from your Vietnamese passport. Your U.S. name can be added to the observation page of the new passport, for a small extra fee.
• Passport expired long ago. It depends on whether your old passport is handwritten (hộ chiếu viết tay) or printed (hộ chiếu in): a handwritten one may require additional documents and a more thorough background-check process.
• Name change after marriage or divorce. You'll need proof of the name change so your new passport matches your current U.S. documents.
• Children. A child's file needs a birth certificate and parents' documents — see Vietnamese passport for children.

For each situation, a specialist tells you exactly what extra you need to prepare.

Renewal (replacement) or re-issuance? Don't mix them up

Many people confuse these two:

• You still have the passport (expiring/expired, out of pages, detail change) → renewal / replacement.
• You lost the passport or it's badly damaged → a different re-issuance procedure, see Replace a lost Vietnamese passport.

Choosing correctly from the start saves time and avoids re-filing.

Common mistakes that slow a file down

1. Wrong headshot — glasses on, poor lighting, or incorrect framing (it should be from chest up to head).
2. Blurry passport/document photos — cut-off corners, glare, or unreadable details.
3. Waiting too close to your travel date — forcing rush handling.
4. U.S. and Vietnamese names differ but you didn't raise it with a specialist first.
5. Missing CCCD or supporting documents in special cases.

Reviewing these points up front sharply reduces the risk of a returned file.

Time and cost

With an all-in service, most files are prepared and submitted in about 2–3 business days, and the new passport is shipped overnight, free, to your door across all 50 states. The service fee is from $175 (a passport expired more than 10 years is $210, including express shipping), and you pay only after you receive the new passport — via Zelle, Venmo, or any major credit card.

After your new passport

A new passport is often the first step toward something else. If you visit Vietnam often, consider a 5-year visa exemption so you can enter multiple times without applying for a visa each trip. When your package arrives, check the details on the new passport (full name, date of birth, passport number) right away; if anything is wrong, report it so it can be fixed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to mail my original passport? No. You only send photos, so your original passport and valuable documents stay in your hands — no risk of losing them in the mail.

Can my U.S.-born child get a Vietnamese passport? Yes, if the child holds Vietnamese citizenship. A child's file needs a birth certificate and parents' documents — see Vietnamese passport for children.

How long is the new passport valid? Adults (14+) are typically valid for 10 years; children under 14 get a shorter validity.

What if my U.S. name differs from my Vietnamese passport? Your U.S. name can be added to the observation page of the new passport for a small extra fee — mention it up front so a specialist can handle it.

How much does it cost? From $175 (expired more than 10 years: $210, including express shipping), quoted transparently up front, and you pay after you receive the passport.

In summary

Renewing a Vietnamese passport in the U.S. isn't hard if you prepare a few photos and use an all-in service: fast (2–3 days), free overnight shipping, no risk to your original documents, and you pay only after you receive the new passport.

Need to renew your passport urgently? Message VietVisas for a free consultation and a specific processing estimate — or see the passport renewal service to get started.