Updated June 5, 2026. Came in Tuesday 3:00pm and was seated last in a long line of chairs. Apparently a very busy afternoon but I barely made it in to reception by 4pm. Receptionist reviewed my forms then said copy of passport was needed! Lesson learned: have extra copy of passport or documents just in case. Returned on a Friday 2:30pm. Surprisingly no line, receptionist promptly waved me to come in. Reviewed my forms then offered to process visa exemption while I wait outside. I took the offer, went back outside to waiting room. 20 minutes later, heard my name called to go back in and take the passport with the 5 year exemption sticker. Lesson learned: come in early right after 2pm and perhaps go on a Friday for potential short line. read more

I had to go to the Consulate three times to get my visa exemption renewed. Prepare to wait because they only take one person at a time. The security guard could be nicer, but he's doing his job. The first time I arrived on a Thursday at 11 am, and the waiting room was full. The security guard told me it was closed. Okay then... I come back later that afternoon at 2 pm, and it was only me and another person. I brought the 'Application Form for Issuance/ Reissuance of a Visa Exemption Certificate' completed by hand. Turns out, you need to fill it out online and print it out. A barcode should appear at the top right corner when it is processed. Please do NOT fill it out by hand! Use the link on #3 to access the document (photo attached). You will also need to bring a photocopy of your passport, expired visa exemption, and expired passport if the old visa is associated with it. It should only cost $10 if you can wait 10 days to pick it up. To add insult to injury, it costs to park in the garage for over 20 minutes. I come back the next day, Friday at 2 pm. Lots more people this time. No phones allowed so you have to sit and stare at the wall. It takes me about 1 hour to get to the desk. Smooth and quick process since I had everything required. read more

Consulate Vietnam - Information Guide - Sept 2026 - Embassy Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had an amazing experience here renewing Vietnam, visa and Vietnam passport. Everybody was kind helpful and the process was seamless. I recommend everyone to come here to process their visas. read more

If you need documents processed or a visa issued by the Vietnamese Consulate in Houston, this office delivers exactly what's required -- no more, no less. The setup is minimalist and efficient in its own way, with soothing background music playing continuously as you wait. It's a good idea to bring a book or magazine since processing times can vary. Be aware that photography is not allowed inside, and payments are cash-only. There's a Bank of America ATM conveniently located across the street for those who need it (as always in Houston, stay alert when handling cash). The staff members are clearly focused and professional in the straightforward Vietnamese bureaucratic tradition. Communication can occasionally be a bit challenging if you don't speak Vietnamese, so patience and politeness go a long way. Keep your documents perfectly prepared--there's no public copier on-site, so handle copies beforehand. Overall, this Consulate performs its duties reliably if you come ready, stay courteous, and understand that diplomacy begins with a smile. read more

Consulate Vietnam - Bring cash. Credit card not accepted! - Embassy Near Me - Houston, Texas

Friendly staff, very efficient, speak both Viet and English. Clean facility. Highly recommend! read more

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I came in 2024 to get a 5 year visa sticker attached to my US passport and was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Not sure what other peoples' problems are or they just like to complain. Remember how you treat people is how you're treated. Duh!!!!! read more

I am very disappointed with the unprofessional work ethic and rude attitude at the Vietnam Consulate General in Houston, Texas. My family member had to renew a passport. After waiting a whole month, we showed up to pick it up--only to find out the passport was *not even printed yet*! The lady told me, "the rule is they print it when you come to pick up." When I asked why, she said, "because a lot of people apply but don't pick up." I paid for the service--printing the passport is their responsibility. Whether someone picks it up or not is *their* issue, not yours. Then they told me to come back later because the printer person was out. I had to take time off work for nothing, and they clearly didn't care. The lady even *commanded* me to speak Vietnamese because "this is a Vietnamese place." Excuse me--this is America. I have the right to speak the language I choose. If you can't understand, that's your problem, not mine. She later admitted she hadn't informed me of the limited pick-up window. I asked why such critical information wasn't printed on the receipt or posted anywhere--again, no good answer. Their Google listing says they're open only 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM (just 4 hours daily), yet in the office someone had crudely scribbled those times in marker on a poster. It's shockingly disorganized. To make matters worse, the same lady actually *yelled* at the front-desk attendant to "close the door!" in broken English--no "please", no apology, no professionalism, just shouting. Leaving a team like this to represent Vietnam is a joke and disgrace. There must be smarter, more capable people who can deliver basic professionalism and respect. This is truly embarrassing. read more

This consulate does not answer telephone calls nor respond to emails. It is only open from 9am to 11 am and 2pm to 4pm. The Vietnamese evisa website is terrible--unable to upload photos even they meet all the published criteria. My advice: spend your tourist time and funds in another country. read more

worst place to deal with! 1- the phone numbers lists in the consulate website are not in service. 2- once I search many places and found a go thru number then the people answer are so not friendly to provide information. she hang-up after I asked few questions. 3- the Vietnam consulate website indicate cost for visa exemption is $10/$20 but when asked they said they don't know and asked to come to the office. 4- this is price gouging the way trying to make extra money as my friend said, when she comes to the office, they charged her $80. read more

Consulate Vietnam - Embassy Near Me - Houston, Texas

I process all my family documents here. They are friendly, kind and extremely helpful. I wish everything was as wonderful as this place. All the staff and security are extremely knowledgeable and competent as well as compassionate. read more

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!! Scamming plain and simple. PSA for any and all foreigners, the security guard is running a scam. When I went to request my Tourist visa he quickly referred me to a private agent they had nothing to do with the Vietnamese consulate instead of letting me speak to the consulate clerk. This so-called agent quoted me $175. he also told me that I needed to get a E-visa only through him. How the consulate allows this to happen speaks of their integrity for allowing such A scam to occur. I'll take my chances with the website. Do not use the agent the guard is recommending they will only steal your money for something you can do yourself it is not as complex as they make it out to be. Update: I went to the Vietnamese consulate website E-visa and all you have to do is upload a profile picture that you can take with your own phone (don't use over 10MB quality) and then a pic of your passport. Fill out the normal personal info, next page: verify, next page: payment of $25, next page: payment receipt. It took me solid 7 minutes to do. read more

Save your money and come here to get your Vietnam Visa instead! Much cheaper than any travel agency, eliminate all the hassle at the airports in Vietnam for Visa on arrival, and super quick (your visa can be ready in 30mins without any extra fee)! Originally we came here to apply for my mom's replacement passport. Long story short, still can't get it done after coming here twice, but it's on us for not having all the information. If you're planning on visiting Vietnam and posses anything other than Vietnam or Chilean passport, more than likely you will need to apply for a Vietnam Visa. It's simple to apply for a Visa on Arrival online ranging anywhere from $10-$100/person depends on how many people and how rush it has to be, plus the stamping fee at the airport once you've arrived, which runs between $25-$50. If you're planning on visiting Vietnam more than once within 5 years, or just don't want the hassle of waiting in line at the airport to get the approval stamp, Visa Exemption is the way to go! It costs $70, valid up to 5 years (your passport needs to have at least 5 years left until it expires), and allows you to enter as many time as the pages you have available in the Visa book for up to 180 days each time. I couldn't find any useful information online regarding Visa Exemption or the option to apply online (has to be in person or by mail). The first time I was here for my mom's passport, I decided to ask them about it. Surprised at how cheap and how simple the application is, I went ahead and applied for it the second time around (didn't bring my passport the first time). All you need to apply for the Visa Exemption is a single 1 side application form (they have the forms here), a copy of your passport information page, 1 passport picture, and $70 money order. Once you turn everything in, they'll process it right away on the spot and your Visa book will be ready in 30mins! The most efficient and simple Visa process I have dealt with yet! Their office and waiting room are very small. Enough chairs for about 6-7 people. You sign in on a sheet of paper that no one will look at when you first walk in. However, the super friendly and chatty security guard, who also acts as the order keeper, will make sure no one cuts in front of anyone unless it gets super busy and he has to come up with a system to get everyone processed quicker. If you've never been here before, the office is located on the 11th floor. You'll have to take the elevator to the 10th floor, then switch to a different elevator to go to 11th. A little strange. read more

Somewhat easy process. I made a day trip from dallas to get my visa done here. I got the 5 year visa for 90 dollars and I got it within the hour. The only paperwork I showed to get it was my old passport with the same (but expired) visa. If you've never had a visa to vn before then I suggest you call ahead and ask what to bring. The security guard is very good at his job. He will make sure that no one cuts, you have the right paperwork, and fill out the right form. The only thing I hated about this place was that you had to take 1 elevator up to floor 10 and get off and take another elevator up to 11 (where the building is at). I just thought that floor 10 was a little spooky but I'm being dramatic so you can disregard that part haha. Anywho, it was a better than expected experience! read more

Plan A, you should realize there is a cheaper option to get a visa to Vietnam. It's the Vietnam E-VISA (Not Visa on Arrival Letter) It is $25 and all you need to enter / exit Vietnam w/ your passport. You can find it via: Vietnam.Travel Plan B, If you want the visa sticker, get it here. This is the safest but most expensive way to get your visa. You will likely have to surrender your passport here and go back to get it in a few days. Parking is free for the first 20 minutes but pro tip, you can park at the galleria for free and walk over. I think others have explained how to find the office. They are closed 12-2PM for lunch, M-F. I recommend you mail in your passport with your payment. Use USPS flat rate envelope which provides insurance and tracking and include a prepaid return envelope. Make sure everything on your visa app is correct! I've mailed my passport in before, and ive done it in person. Mailing it in is the LEAST hassle. If you live or work nearby it's probably just easier to do it in person. Plan C, Visa on Arrival. (VOA) This is completely pointless now and the worst way to get your visa. You pay for the letter ($10 - Fees vary by travel agent.) then at the airport you give the letter to the VOA counter with the fee. ($25) This is the worst way because you can end up waiting an additional 20min to 2+ hours to get the visa sticker. After a 24+ hour flight? No thanks. Plus good luck if your bags are waiting for you once you clear immigration. read more

The service was 5 star, but due to nobody ever answering the phone, bumped down to three star. Some pointers on getting a visa: The cost is $80. per visa. I took my passport, applications etc for four people...no problem. They didn't need to be present. You can pull up the visa application online. It is a simple one-page form. The hours are 9-12 and then 1-4, mon to fri. Note: The embassy is on the 11th floor. The elevator only goes to 10 floors, so this is confusing. Get off on the 10th floor and there is another elevator that takes you to 11. Photos are NOT needed if you bring a passport, only if you want a loose-leaf visa. This is confusing in that nowhere does it state this. You can pay by credit card, even though the form states check or money order. The security guard, Ellis, is very helpful. He checked my outgoing paperwork and saw they forgot to put a pick up date. Pick up was in only 5 days. Rather than having them mail your passport and visa back, which might get lost in the mail, you can pick them up. You simply put your yellow receipt in the tray on the left side window and they retrieve it in a few minutes. Pick up took less than 5 minutes. You can park free in the 20 minute waiting zone. read more

I was awaiting my Visa back before I left a review. The whole process was pretty seamless. I downloaded the forms online, obtained, a 2x2 picture, and ordered a money order from my bank. It is a little hard to find. It is in the building behind the Regions bank off Westheimer. Once you find parking, you go up one set of elevators that only goes up to the 10th floor, get off and take another elevator up to the 11th floor. Once, inside you are greeted by a charismatic security guard. He might be joking around, but he's been there for awhile and knows his stuff. Take his advice and you'll be fine. If you brought in all required documents, you just hand it off to one window with your passport, and pay another person at a different window. They give you a copy of a receipt, you will NEED this to pick up your passport and Visa. It takes about a week for them to get it done, all you need is the receipt to pick it up, so put it in your wallet/purse so you don't lose it. A week later I showed up and my passport and Visa were ready to go. Now let's hope this trip is a 5 star vacation. read more

I wish I could give 4.5 stars--I'd deduct half a point for the phone process but otherwise everything was easy peasy! I had to call several times, on several different days, at several different times, and press several different numbers to finally get someone on the phone to confirm the visa costs (which are conveniently not listed on their website). When I asked, I was told that it's not listed because the prices may change without much notice and they don't want to mislead anyone. Fair enough! ...I located the online application, printed and filled it out, attached passport photos, went up to the 11th floor, dropped it off along with the fees (less than $200 for 2, single entry visas) around 2:30pm on a Monday. A week later (today) I brought in my receipt and scooped up both passports with the visas and I am good to go! Like I said, EASY! If you want it mailed to you then the retrieval process (+fee) is slightly different. If you're in town and can pick it up a week later, I would suggest this method. Make sure TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPT that they give you. The security guard is chatty but knowledgeable and helpful! Hope this was helpful! Happy travels! read more

Lan Anh and Team were absolutely outstanding. Legalization for my Viet Wife was Perfect. My 5-yr Viet Visa took 15 minutes....incredible. Cam On Mr. Hau. We drove from Atlanta and the 12 hour drive was worth every moment in the traffic, rain, etc. Thank You Thank You Vietnam Consulate of Houston, TX team!!!! read more

Kudos to the Vietnamese Consulate for providing excellent customer service. For Vietnamese Americans who were born in Vietnam, the process is streamlined. You only need to bring your U.S. passport, fill out an application and pay the fee. No need for photos and your relatives do not have to be present. The fee for a 5-year, multiple entry visa is $70 and you can pick it up while you wait. The disadvantages are the location of the Consulate and the non-working website. The Consulate is located in the congested area of Galleria and you have to turn on Sage street to access the parking lot and enter the building from the rear. The Consulate is on the 11th floor, but you have to take the elevator to the 10th floor and then another one to the 11th floor. It's very annoying not to be able to get information because the Consulate's official website is down. Additionally, there are a few unofficial websites that offered visa services and you don't know which one to trust if you decide to use their services. I had a friend who was scammed when she send in the money for a visa to be picked up upon arrival to Vietnam, and ended up never to hear from them again. To the Consulate: If you read this comment, please fix your website. read more

I was in a emergency situation where my Vietnamese Passport will expire within 5 months and I wont be able to travel to Costa rica within a day( I already booked my ticket). I got my passport renewed within an hour in the same day with my flight. The service was amazing, the lady was super nice, and one more day thing the security guard is extremely friendly and hilarious. I would give this place 5 stars. Now I will be able to catch my flight to Costa Rica this evening. YASSSS!!!! read more

My wife n I decided to make the drive from Ft. Worth, TX to the Vietnam Consulate. The building is located on the very west side of the Galleria. Being that it was 12/23/19 (just before Christmas), parking space was extremely limited but was able to park in the lower level of Galleria. You'll need to enter Consulate through the south entrance of the building. The staff was super friendly and it also helps to have your paperwork filled out ~ ready to be processed. For NON Vietnamese visa requests, the cost is $135 each. Initially was told that the Visas would be ready in a couple of days however when I explained to her that we drove down from Dallas, she said to check back after lunch. By 3 pm, our passports were ready! Thanks again to the staff for a super easy process! read more

I have emailed numerous times. The number listed goes to embassy, I press 2 for English, then 1 for Visa. Then a message saying there is nobody there basically. It will not allow me to submit an online application. It's as if nobody exist there read more

Their email and phone numbers are listed online are not available, because there is nobody answer the phone and email basically. Everything has to be done in person, which is very inconvenient. read more

What a great service. Smiling peoples and visa in 30 minutes . It can't get better than this in a consulate. Great job and thanks.

My wife (Vietnamese) and I (US Native) went to the Consulate of Vietnam this morning to apply for a 5 year visa exemption. Our previous visa exemptions expired in October 2015, and since our passports were due to expire early in 2016, we decided to renew our passports before applying for another 5-year visa exemption. Last time we had to go to Washington DC to apply, but now there is a Consulate in Houston, where we live. Everyone we dealt with was so helpful. The consular officer was extremely helpful, and she gave us excellent advice. We were able to take our papers to a nearby Fedex location and by following her suggestions we logged in to the website, prepared our applications and within an hour we were back at the consulate to submit our applications. In four days we will be able to return to pick up our visa exemptions. Great customer service. Thomas and Madeleine R. read more

Real Hours are 9:30 - 12:30 M - F (they are closed in the afternoons) so be sure to go in the morning. They are located on the 11th floor of 5251 Westheimer. Take elevator to floor 10 and then change elevators to get to floor 11. There are no listed prices and they charge what they feel like charging ($75 - $200) for visas. I personally think they charge VN people less than others. They take cash or money orders. They do process the visas quickly and accurately - no experience with rush delivery but regular service is about 5 business days. Prices are shady but visa processing is quick and accurate. read more