Unlesss requirements have changed I believe you have a problem. I was advised by the Vietnam Embassy that a visa is required even of in-transit passengers.

I'll paste their entire reply:

[email protected]



Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in visiting Vietnam and for writing to the Embassy.

Please review the following information organized in the form of q&a's.

1) Do I need a visa?
- Yes, you do.
- Technically, any holder of a valid (6 months prior to expiration) passport other than Vietnamese, no matter what citizenship, needs a visa.
- This general rule is applicable to US citizens, Canadian citizens, Latin American countries, EU citizens, and Japanese citizens.
- Please contact the nearest Vietnam Embassy for further information if you think your country and Vietnam have a visa-waiver agreement.

2) How early and how late can I apply for a visa?
- You can apply for your visa as early as six months prior to the proposed date of entry.
- You can apply for a visa as late as a few days prior to your departure. Please call or email the Embassy to check your options for rush/expedited service.

3) How long will the visa be good for?
- The visa will be issued on the basis of your specific proposed dates on the application.
- The applicant cannot enter the country before the date.

4) What to submit?
- Passport.
- Application form (http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visaform.doc) or (http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/co...pplication.pdf).
- 1 passport-size picture (2x2).
- Fee (MONEY ORDER or CERTIFIED CHECK), payable to "EMBASSY OF VIETNAM." Applicants applying together may submit the fee in one money order.
- Self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope. FedEx is recommended. Applicants applying together may provide one envelope for the passports and visas to be returned to the same address.

5) How to fill-out the application?
- All items must be filled-out completely in UPPER CASE letters.
- Do not use PO Box addresses.
- Item 11 (name, address of your contact in Vietnam) is required for "BUSINESS TRIPS" only.
- Put your town/city on the line "Place" at the end of the form.

6) What is the fee?
Without prior authorizations,
-Single entry, one-month:
- $65.00 (regular service - 5 business days).
- $85.00 (rush service - Between September 25 and October 15, 2004, 3 business days).
- Single entry, three-month:
- $110 (regular service - 3 to 4 business day).
- Multiple entry:
- 1 month: $130.00 (3 business day).
- 3 month: $150.00 (3 to 4 business day).
- 6 month: $200.00 (3 to 4 business day).

Note:
- Turn-around time are calculated on a working day basis. Please take account of the observed Vietnamese and US holidays in planning for your visa application and travel. A complete list of the oberserved holidays can be downloaded from http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/ne...20031226141838

7) How to submit?
- Hours for drop-off and walk-in at the Embassy: 9:30-12:30 (Monday-Friday)
- By mail:
- US Express Mail (www.usps.com <http://www.usps.com>)
- FedEx (www.fedex.com <http://www.fedex.com>)

Note:
- Please use FedEX, or US Express Mail, Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, Certified Mail. Passport(s) without a proper return envelope, or with a UPS or DHL return envelope, or an envelope without a tracking number will be sent back via FEDEX
"collect" service.
- Please put your name and address must be in the "From" section on the
label/airbill/envelope for safety and security of your package.

8) Where to submit?
Consular Section
Embassy of Vietnam
1233 20th Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

9) Immunization?
- No information available now, and it is not required.

10) Can I get a visa at the airport?
- Without a proper entry visa, airliners will not allow the passenger to board.
- Please use the 2-day procedure designed to assist applicants under time pressure.

We hope all you wanted to know have been answered.

For further questions, please send your email to the Embassy at [email protected].