Vietnamese Passport Photo Requirements from the US
Hộ chiếu Việt Nam — Vietnamese passport photos use a 4×6cm format not found at most US photo centers. Here is how to get it right.
Vietnamese passport photos are 4×6cm (40×60mm) — a size most US photo centers don't stock.
This format is unique to Vietnam among major diaspora countries. It is larger than the EU 35×45mm and a completely different shape from the US 2×2 inch square. You must specifically request 40×60mm — a standard "international passport photo" at a US pharmacy will be the wrong size.
Full Requirements — Vietnamese Passport (Hộ Chiếu)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Kích thước / Size | 4×6cm (40mm wide × 60mm tall) |
| Màu sắc / Color | Color — not black and white |
| Nền / Background | Plain white — no shadows, gradients, or patterns |
| Hướng mặt / View | Frontal — face centered, head straight |
| Biểu cảm / Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Mắt / Eyes | Open, both clearly visible |
| Tai / Ears | Both ears visible |
| Kính / Glasses | Not permitted |
| Mũ / Head covering | Not permitted (religious exceptions with documentation) |
| Kích thước khuôn mặt / Head size | Face fills 70–80% of frame height |
| Giấy / Paper | Matte or semi-matte photo paper |
| Thời gian / Recency | Within the last 6 months |
How to Get a 4×6cm Photo in the US
The 40×60mm format is not available as a standard option at most US photo centers. Here are your options:
In cities with large Vietnamese populations — Orange County (Little Saigon), San Jose, Houston (Bellaire), Dallas (Arlington), Seattle — local photo studios routinely produce 4×6cm hộ chiếu photos. They know the format without explanation.
Use an online passport photo tool to format your photo to 40×60mm proportions, then download as a JPEG and print at any pharmacy kiosk. Specify '4×6cm' or '40×60mm' when selecting the kiosk print size.
Some locations can produce non-standard sizes on request. Call the photo center and ask specifically for '40 by 60mm' or '4 by 6 centimeter' passport photo — not 'international passport photo' which defaults to 35×45mm.
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How to Renew a Vietnamese Passport from the US
Get your photos before attempting to book a consulate appointment. Consulates do not provide photo services. You need at least 2 printed 4×6cm photos. For online portal steps, you'll also need a digital JPEG version of the same photo.
Download and complete the passport application form from your nearest consulate's website or lanhsuviet.gov.vn. Forms vary by consulate — use the version specific to your jurisdiction. The Washington D.C. embassy and each consulate maintain their own forms.
Contact your nearest Vietnamese consulate: Washington D.C. (embassy), San Francisco, New York, or Houston. Most consulates require in-person document submission — some allow mail-in for renewals depending on current procedures. Check the specific consulate website for current requirements.
Bring: completed application form, current or expired Vietnamese passport (original), 2–4 printed 4×6cm passport photos, proof of US address, proof of legal US status (if applicable), and the renewal fee in cash, money order, or credit card depending on your consulate.
Processing is done in Vietnam. After your consulate appointment, your new passport is produced in Hanoi and returned to the consulate, which mails it to you. Timeline: 4–8 weeks after submission. Track through your consulate's contact channel.
Vietnamese Consulate Locations in the US
Tip
Note
Most Common Rejection Reasons
The single most common error. Standard 'international' photos sold at US stores are the wrong size for Vietnamese passports.
Shadows behind the head — common in home or selfie photos — will be rejected. Needs to be pure white.
Must be matte or semi-matte photo paper. Inkjet prints on regular paper fade, smear, and are rejected.
No glasses of any type are permitted.
Recency check is standard — use a current photo that matches your appearance today.
Vietnamese Passport Photo FAQ
What size is a Vietnam passport photo?
Vietnamese passport photos must be 4×6cm (40×60mm) — 40mm wide and 60mm tall. This is a larger portrait format than both the US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) and the EU 35×45mm standard. It is also different from the Canadian 50×70mm format. The 4×6cm (40×60mm) size is unique to Vietnam among countries with large US diaspora communities, and most US pharmacy photo centers do not produce this size by default — you must specifically request it.
What are the full requirements for a Vietnamese passport photo (hộ chiếu)?
Vietnamese passport photo requirements: 4×6cm (40×60mm) size, color (not black and white), plain white background with no shadows or patterns, frontal view with face centered and head straight, neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, no glasses, no head coverings (except for documented religious reasons), face must fill 70–80% of the frame height, ears visible, taken within the last 6 months, printed on matte or semi-matte photo paper.
Can I renew my Vietnamese passport from the US?
Yes. Vietnamese nationals in the US can renew their hộ chiếu (passport) at a Vietnamese consulate in Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, or Houston. The process requires an in-person consulate visit for document submission and biometric enrollment. Some preliminary steps, including form completion, can be done online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal at lanhsuviet.gov.vn. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.
Why is the Vietnam passport photo 4×6cm — different from other countries?
Vietnam uses its own national photo standard that predates the ICAO international recommendations adopted by most countries. While most countries converged on 35×45mm (EU) or 51×51mm (US) formats, Vietnam retained its own 4×6cm specification. This creates a practical challenge for Vietnamese-Americans renewing their passports: standard 'international' photo sizes sold at US stores are not compatible without specific resizing.
Where can I get a 4×6cm passport photo in the US?
Getting a 4×6cm (40×60mm) photo in the US requires specifically requesting the non-standard size. Options: (1) Call CVS, Walgreens, or Staples and ask if they can produce a 40×60mm photo — some can with advance notice. (2) Use an online passport photo tool that supports custom sizes, then print the formatted JPEG at a pharmacy kiosk. (3) Vietnamese community photo studios in cities with large Vietnamese populations (Houston, San Jose, Orange County) often stock 4×6cm as a standard offering.
Where are the Vietnamese consulates in the US?
The Embassy of Vietnam is in Washington D.C. (1233 20th Street NW). Consulates General are in San Francisco (serving the West Coast), New York (serving the Northeast), and Houston (serving Texas and the South). There is no Vietnamese consulate in Los Angeles — West Coast applicants in Southern California go to the San Francisco consulate or sometimes travel to Houston for faster service.
How long does Vietnamese passport renewal take from the US?
Vietnamese passport renewal from the US typically takes 4–8 weeks after your consulate document submission. Total timeline including appointment scheduling: 6–12 weeks depending on consulate demand. The San Francisco and Washington D.C. consulates tend to have longer appointment wait times. Houston often has faster availability and is worth checking even for applicants outside Texas.
What documents do I need to renew a Vietnamese passport from the US?
Documents for Vietnamese passport renewal from the US: completed application form (available at the consulate or lanhsuviet.gov.vn), current or expired Vietnamese passport (original), 4×6cm passport photos (typically 2–4 copies), proof of US residence or legal status, and the renewal fee (approximately $50–$100 USD depending on passport book type — check your nearest consulate for current rates). Overseas Vietnamese (Việt kiều) with US citizenship may have additional requirements.