Jun 22, 2014, 10:21 am
Last edit by: stephem
Moderator note: this Wikipost provides general visa guidelines and summarizes the information provided by FT members throughout this thread. Businesses mentioned in this wiki are in no way endorsed or recommended by FlyerTalk, and advertising is prohibited. FlyerTalk's commercial post rule is strictly enforced in this thread, and all spam-like posts will be immediately removed.
Vietnam Visa Information
Transit Without Visa
Vietnam permits foreigners to transit without a visa (TWOV) provided they remain inside the airport transit areas while awaiting an onward flight out of the country within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers are not allowed to leave the airport without a visa.
Visa Exemption for Phu Quoc Island
If you are only visiting Phu Quoc Island, guess what, you probably don't need a visa at all! There is a 30 day visa exception for Phu Quoc visits, and many people report being able to transit in HAN or SGN en route to PQC. But there are now direct flights to PQC and that allows you to avoid having to get a visa at all. Worth considering...
Regular Visa in Advance of Travel
Foreigners may obtain a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Prices are not published and appear to vary from location to location. Most recent reports suggest a typical fee of approximately USD 100.
ONLINE APPLICATION LOOSE LEAF VISA
Vietnam Visa Online Application and instructions:
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
From what I've learned, you attach the three (3) files listed below to an email along with your credit card number and the visa section will mail back a loose leaf visa.
As of December, 2015, the fees are $80 = 1 month visa, $20 = overnight USPS, $10 priority mail. Multiple entry visas are available.
Fill out the online application form.
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
Follow "online form" link. Choose language top right.
Including uploading to the application a correctly sized photo, 2x2 inches (website will check and confirm) that will propagate into the application.
Print out the application form, sign, scan as .pdf file. Attach the .pdf to your email.
Attach a correctly sized photo (2x2 inches).
Attach a scanned a copy of your passport (photo, personal detail pages and signature page).
Include your credit card number. The visa section will charge your card for visa type and USPS Express return a loose leaf visa.
Ask politely for the tracking number and total charges.
Call Embassy Visa to double check the above details and current email address: 202. 861. 0737, x118/121/122/123/125
As of December, 2015, the email address to send the application is: [email protected].
Visa Exemption
Those traveling on passports issued by the following nations are generally exempt from visa requirements for varying durations of stay: Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and UK. See the entry visa exemption list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for duration of stay info.
eVisa
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...trang-chu-ttdt
List of countries eligible for eVisa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/do...b-91595a4f5867 (link updated 2017-12-19, note new list can be published with different link) 35 more countries were announced as eligible for e-visa on Feb 20, 2019. Total is now 81 countries. See post 1561 for new additions (government website is down currently, will update with link here when possible).
Remember to print out the e-visa form they give you, as they will request it on arrival and on departure!
Some ports of entry require the evisa to be validated on arrival. In particular DAD has been cited in the thread as requiring the evisa holder to be processed at the VOA desk. Takes about 15 mins.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) at Airport Border Entries
Travelers planning to obtain a VOA should arrive with the following documents:
VOA stamp fees for Non-USA passport holders (as of December 2019) are US$25 for a single entry of 1 or 3 months validity, US$50 for multiple entry of 1 or 3 months validity or US$100 for multiple entry 1 year validity.
For USA passport holders, there was a temporary increase from September to December of 2016, up to $135. However Effective December 15, 2016 the $135 stamping fee for US citizens has been dropped, and there are reports US passport holders can be issued VOA letters for single entry 30 day visas again AND that US citizens should only have to pay a $25 stamp fee at on collection of VOA. In late December, there were reports are that the desks in HAN and DAD did not receive the memo, so YMMV until the airport desks "get the memo."
This fee must be paid at the VOA counter on arrival , and is in addition to whatever fees you have paid the VOA service provider for the invitation letter. Payments are accepted in Vietnamese Dong, USD or Euros.
Visa on arrival (VOA) is permitted for one of the following purposes:
There are countless service providers on the internet that offer VOA approval letters for a fee. Legitimate providers are licensed travel agencies, thus meeting the highlighted criterion above. Those planning to obtain a VOA approval letter are advised to take steps to ensure they are working with a licensed Vietnam travel agency or tour operator. Some Vietnam hotels are also able to provide this service.
Some VOA service providers offer expedited processing for same day or 30 minutes turnaround on issuance of VOA letter and priority processing upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam for an additional fee.
Advantages of VOA include lower cost than embassy-issued visa, eliminates the need to visit an embassy or mail passport for advance visa, and faster receipt of VOA approval letter (sent via email).
Disadvantages of VOA include longer immigration processing upon arrival, with potentially long waits for receipt of visa (usually 10-20 min., but longer waits do occur); privacy concerns due to inclusion of personal data for multiple unrelated travelers on one approval letter; and risk of scams by unauthorized VOA service providers.
VOA Process at the Airport in SGN
Removed by poster
VOA Service Providers Recommended By FTers
The following are a few of the VOA service providers that have been used and discussed in the thread by active FlyerTalk members. These providers publish sufficient information on their websites to suggest that they are authorized operators (e.g., provide physical business address, state actual travel company name, display tour operator license number, etc.). Members should verify these basic criteria before adding providers this list; simply having had successful transactions is not sufficient:
External Sources
26th-April
Edited to note that some ports of entry require the e-visa to be validated on arrival.
8 December 2019- Edited to add note about Phu Quoc being exempt from visa for 30 day visit and add info about 1 year multiple entry Visa which is now available via VoA process too.
FlyerTalkers with at least 90 days of membership and a minimum of 90 posts are invited to make corrections and update the information in this Wikipost.
Vietnam Visa Information
Main source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam - Visa Application and Information - includes fillable application (external website)
Transit Without Visa
Vietnam permits foreigners to transit without a visa (TWOV) provided they remain inside the airport transit areas while awaiting an onward flight out of the country within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers are not allowed to leave the airport without a visa.
Visa Exemption for Phu Quoc Island
If you are only visiting Phu Quoc Island, guess what, you probably don't need a visa at all! There is a 30 day visa exception for Phu Quoc visits, and many people report being able to transit in HAN or SGN en route to PQC. But there are now direct flights to PQC and that allows you to avoid having to get a visa at all. Worth considering...
Regular Visa in Advance of Travel
Foreigners may obtain a visa at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Prices are not published and appear to vary from location to location. Most recent reports suggest a typical fee of approximately USD 100.
ONLINE APPLICATION LOOSE LEAF VISA
Vietnam Visa Online Application and instructions:
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
From what I've learned, you attach the three (3) files listed below to an email along with your credit card number and the visa section will mail back a loose leaf visa.
As of December, 2015, the fees are $80 = 1 month visa, $20 = overnight USPS, $10 priority mail. Multiple entry visas are available.
Fill out the online application form.
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consul...cation-process
Follow "online form" link. Choose language top right.
Including uploading to the application a correctly sized photo, 2x2 inches (website will check and confirm) that will propagate into the application.
Print out the application form, sign, scan as .pdf file. Attach the .pdf to your email.
Attach a correctly sized photo (2x2 inches).
Attach a scanned a copy of your passport (photo, personal detail pages and signature page).
Include your credit card number. The visa section will charge your card for visa type and USPS Express return a loose leaf visa.
Ask politely for the tracking number and total charges.
Call Embassy Visa to double check the above details and current email address: 202. 861. 0737, x118/121/122/123/125
As of December, 2015, the email address to send the application is: [email protected].
Visa Exemption
Those traveling on passports issued by the following nations are generally exempt from visa requirements for varying durations of stay: Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and UK. See the entry visa exemption list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for duration of stay info.
eVisa
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...trang-chu-ttdt
List of countries eligible for eVisa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/do...b-91595a4f5867 (link updated 2017-12-19, note new list can be published with different link) 35 more countries were announced as eligible for e-visa on Feb 20, 2019. Total is now 81 countries. See post 1561 for new additions (government website is down currently, will update with link here when possible).
Remember to print out the e-visa form they give you, as they will request it on arrival and on departure!
Some ports of entry require the evisa to be validated on arrival. In particular DAD has been cited in the thread as requiring the evisa holder to be processed at the VOA desk. Takes about 15 mins.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) at Airport Border Entries
Travelers planning to obtain a VOA should arrive with the following documents:
- VOA approval letter
- Completed VISA APPLICATION which can be downloaded from most VOA service provider websites (travelers are advised to print the form on A4-size paper as there have been reports of US letter-size paper being refused)
- One passport-type photo
- Cash for visa stamp fee (see below)
VOA stamp fees for Non-USA passport holders (as of December 2019) are US$25 for a single entry of 1 or 3 months validity, US$50 for multiple entry of 1 or 3 months validity or US$100 for multiple entry 1 year validity.
For USA passport holders, there was a temporary increase from September to December of 2016, up to $135. However Effective December 15, 2016 the $135 stamping fee for US citizens has been dropped, and there are reports US passport holders can be issued VOA letters for single entry 30 day visas again AND that US citizens should only have to pay a $25 stamp fee at on collection of VOA. In late December, there were reports are that the desks in HAN and DAD did not receive the memo, so YMMV until the airport desks "get the memo."
This fee must be paid at the VOA counter on arrival , and is in addition to whatever fees you have paid the VOA service provider for the invitation letter. Payments are accepted in Vietnamese Dong, USD or Euros.
Visa on arrival (VOA) is permitted for one of the following purposes:
- Attend the funeral of family member or visit a family member in critical condition;
- Arrival from a country where there is no Vietnamese diplomatic mission/consular office;
- Visit Vietnam on tours organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies;
- Provide emergency technical assistance for construction works, projects; emergency treatment for critical patients or accident victims; emergency relief in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam;
- For other urgent reasons.
- Provide emergency technical assistance for construction works, projects; emergency treatment for critical patients or accident victims; emergency relief in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam;
- Visit Vietnam on tours organized by Vietnamese international travel agencies;
- Arrival from a country where there is no Vietnamese diplomatic mission/consular office;
There are countless service providers on the internet that offer VOA approval letters for a fee. Legitimate providers are licensed travel agencies, thus meeting the highlighted criterion above. Those planning to obtain a VOA approval letter are advised to take steps to ensure they are working with a licensed Vietnam travel agency or tour operator. Some Vietnam hotels are also able to provide this service.
Some VOA service providers offer expedited processing for same day or 30 minutes turnaround on issuance of VOA letter and priority processing upon arrival at the airport in Vietnam for an additional fee.
Advantages of VOA include lower cost than embassy-issued visa, eliminates the need to visit an embassy or mail passport for advance visa, and faster receipt of VOA approval letter (sent via email).
Disadvantages of VOA include longer immigration processing upon arrival, with potentially long waits for receipt of visa (usually 10-20 min., but longer waits do occur); privacy concerns due to inclusion of personal data for multiple unrelated travelers on one approval letter; and risk of scams by unauthorized VOA service providers.
VOA Process at the Airport in SGN
Removed by poster
VOA Service Providers Recommended By FTers
The following are a few of the VOA service providers that have been used and discussed in the thread by active FlyerTalk members. These providers publish sufficient information on their websites to suggest that they are authorized operators (e.g., provide physical business address, state actual travel company name, display tour operator license number, etc.). Members should verify these basic criteria before adding providers this list; simply having had successful transactions is not sufficient:
- Hotels-in-Vietnam.com - part of Tun Travel, international tour operator license 0738/2007/TCDL-GP LHQT
- VietnamStay.com - multi-office tour operator, no license info found on website, multiple physical addresses provided
***Link not working - VietnamVisaCorp.com - part of Song Thu Travel, international tour operator license 79-411/2013/TCDL-GP LHQT
- Visa4Vietnam.com - part of Sense of Indochina, company license 0103103092
- Cheapvietnamvisa.net - data references on this thread Sep/08 & Sep/24 & Oct/07 & Dec/02 - 2015
External Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam - Visa Application and Information - includes fillable application
- Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners - Vietnam Ministry of Justice
26th-April
Edited to note that some ports of entry require the e-visa to be validated on arrival.
8 December 2019- Edited to add note about Phu Quoc being exempt from visa for 30 day visit and add info about 1 year multiple entry Visa which is now available via VoA process too.
FlyerTalkers with at least 90 days of membership and a minimum of 90 posts are invited to make corrections and update the information in this Wikipost.
Prior to 2022: Visa / VOA Info for Vietnam
Mar 22, 2016, 9:39 am
#736
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA
Posts: 312
Visa at Consulate
Since I live in NYC, I decided to get our visas in advance through the Vietnamese Consulate. Couldn't have been easier. Applied online, took printout, photos, and passports to consulate and paid the fee in cash. Picked up passports with visas 3 days later.
While it is more expensive than VOA, I figured after 24 hours of travelling, I don't even want to wait an extra 20 minutes.
While it is more expensive than VOA, I figured after 24 hours of travelling, I don't even want to wait an extra 20 minutes.
Mar 22, 2016, 12:34 pm
#737
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,553
Since I live in NYC, I decided to get our visas in advance through the Vietnamese Consulate. Couldn't have been easier. Applied online, took printout, photos, and passports to consulate and paid the fee in cash. Picked up passports with visas 3 days later.
While it is more expensive than VOA, I figured after 24 hours of travelling, I don't even want to wait an extra 20 minutes.
While it is more expensive than VOA, I figured after 24 hours of travelling, I don't even want to wait an extra 20 minutes.
Mar 22, 2016, 11:11 pm
#738
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 817
What is the typical VOA wait time at SGN on a weekday, late afternoon?
Mar 25, 2016, 9:31 am
#739
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Data point: I used My Vietnam Visa Pro based on recommendations here. Haven't used the letter yet, but it showed up within one business day, and with only my information on it. In case that helps. Was quick and their final email with the documents seems to have great instructions.
Mar 25, 2016, 9:47 pm
#740
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
The private voa letter given to me by www.myvietnamvisapro.com worked like a charm last week. Please update if it works well for you.
There are basically two wait times, in my experience. If you arrive in the slower times, like after the morning/noon rush but before the evening flights, you get 20-30 minutes. If you arrive around the time some of the widebodies get in, like after 5 pm, it picks up and it's more like 45-60 min. So it depends on how "late" you're talking.
Mar 26, 2016, 12:05 am
#741
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
There's no reason to assume it won't work. In fact this thread is full of many experiences with many agencies that have worked well. If someone got to the airport and it didn't work, that would be much more news-worthy.
There are basically two wait times, in my experience. If you arrive in the slower times, like after the morning/noon rush but before the evening flights, you get 20-30 minutes. If you arrive around the time some of the widebodies get in, like after 5 pm, it picks up and it's more like 45-60 min. So it depends on how "late" you're talking.
There are basically two wait times, in my experience. If you arrive in the slower times, like after the morning/noon rush but before the evening flights, you get 20-30 minutes. If you arrive around the time some of the widebodies get in, like after 5 pm, it picks up and it's more like 45-60 min. So it depends on how "late" you're talking.
Mar 26, 2016, 8:18 am
#742
Join Date: Sep 1999
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton GLD
Posts: 974
Arrived at HAN recently. The VOA process was so much faster, better organized and less of a hassle than my many arrivals at SGN.
Mar 26, 2016, 10:08 am
#743
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,812
Apr 3, 2016, 8:45 am
#744
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
The private voa letter given to me by www.myvietnamvisapro.com worked like a charm last week. Please update if it works well for you.
I shot out of the flight from Tokyo and got to the visa counter with 2-3 people in front of me. At that moment, I think three flights landed, and I just barely managed to beat them all (10pm). For me, the waiting time was about 10 minutes. I later noticed that someone at the back of my plane took about 15 minutes more, so not bad overall.
By the time I was ready for immigration, though, the lines had gotten long, and I had to wait about 10 minutes there. Still, from landing to being outside customs was no more than 25 minutes, and I was at my hotel within 45. I add these details to suggest that I am glad I went the VOA route. Despite it being a very short run, the process was quick enough that it would have been a waste of time and money to swing by the embassy and pick up a visa that would have saved me maybe 20 minutes.
Also, on my check in a mere 7.5 hours later, no questions were asked. Given the proximity of the city, cheapness of transport, and the fact that Saigon appears to keep moving around the clock, this was actually a really ideal midnight run that I would do again in a heartbeat.
Apr 3, 2016, 9:45 am
#745
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: GRU
Programs: *A Gold, OW Sapphire, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 3,367
A little report: (...)
By the time I was ready for immigration, though, the lines had gotten long, and I had to wait about 10 minutes there. Still, from landing to being outside customs was no more than 25 minutes, and I was at my hotel within 45.
(...)
Given the proximity of the city, cheapness of transport, and the fact that Saigon appears to keep moving around the clock, this was actually a really ideal midnight run that I would do again in a heartbeat.
By the time I was ready for immigration, though, the lines had gotten long, and I had to wait about 10 minutes there. Still, from landing to being outside customs was no more than 25 minutes, and I was at my hotel within 45.
(...)
Given the proximity of the city, cheapness of transport, and the fact that Saigon appears to keep moving around the clock, this was actually a really ideal midnight run that I would do again in a heartbeat.
Too bad in the evening there is not as much fun as in the day, crossing roads among bikers coming nonstop from everywhere; Perhaps next time !
Apr 3, 2016, 10:39 am
#746
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
Thanks for your report; I am truly glad the suggestions collected here worked to your advantage and you were able to have a great time in Saigon; My first time there, I also got the jitters beforehand, so I fully appreciate your cautiousness before experiencing it, yourself.
Too bad in the evening there is not as much fun as in the day, crossing roads among bikers coming nonstop from everywhere; Perhaps next time !
Too bad in the evening there is not as much fun as in the day, crossing roads among bikers coming nonstop from everywhere; Perhaps next time !
Would definitely do it again. Incidentally, the whole thing was an accident...bought the heavily discounted fare in a daze one morning, only realized I had only given my 10 hours, and not a full day, once the fare was gone!
Apr 3, 2016, 8:52 pm
#747
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Another quick report.
9:00am Stepped off the plane.
9:15 Visa in hand
9:16 Cleared immigration
9:17 Though customs and out of the terminal
9:18 In a Mai Linh taxi.
9:33 Arrived at my destination.
Not atypical. (ABTC and no checked bags.)
Oh and BTW - At HND checkin, agent didn't notice my visa was expired and didn't ask if I had a VOA letter. Asked if I had a return ticket, and was OK with my (not true) verbal statement that I did.
9:00am Stepped off the plane.
9:15 Visa in hand
9:16 Cleared immigration
9:17 Though customs and out of the terminal
9:18 In a Mai Linh taxi.
9:33 Arrived at my destination.
Not atypical. (ABTC and no checked bags.)
Oh and BTW - At HND checkin, agent didn't notice my visa was expired and didn't ask if I had a VOA letter. Asked if I had a return ticket, and was OK with my (not true) verbal statement that I did.
Apr 3, 2016, 9:27 pm
#748
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 817
Took me 1 hour 10 minutes to get my VOA in SGN a few days ago. Flight was delayed around 3 hours so didn't land until 10pm, which was around the same time a number of other int'l flights arrived. Though I was first in line and there was no wait there were several agents with stacks of passports that were getting processed before all individuals that had lined up. >1hr wait seemed to be the same for all other individuals. I guess additional fee for VIP service would have been the better option. Next time I'll just be getting my visa at the local consulate.
Apr 8, 2016, 11:58 am
#749
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Alexandria, Va. USA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, DL Silver, UA Gold, *A Gold, OW Emerald
Posts: 1,492
My itinerary: DCA-ORD-NRT-HAN/HAN-NRT-DFW-DCA departing 04/01/2016 on AA.
I used Vietnam-E-Visa. I had my receipt on my smart phone.
The American Airlines staff said that without a visa already affixed to my passport I was not going. I asked for the agents name and was immediately switched to an agent who stated he would try to find a way to get me there. An hour and a half of standing while the agents puzzled over this caused me to miss my first flight. The good agent gave me a boarding pass to JFK and told me to get my connecting boarding docs from JAL.
JAL at JFK had never heard of visa on arrival. I showed them my receipt and an agent called the visa agency number. The agency faxed a memo to JAL showing a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT. My name was there. With this they handed me boarding docs and I was on my way.
New itinerary: DCA-JFK-NRT-HAN with the same return on AA as scheduled.
My JFK to NRT flight number was not ticketed as an AA flight so I did not receive mileage credit for it.
I chatted with other pax arriving at HAN. Everyone seemed to have a different understanding of the Vietnam visa situation for arriving Americans.
Any recourse.
I used Vietnam-E-Visa. I had my receipt on my smart phone.
The American Airlines staff said that without a visa already affixed to my passport I was not going. I asked for the agents name and was immediately switched to an agent who stated he would try to find a way to get me there. An hour and a half of standing while the agents puzzled over this caused me to miss my first flight. The good agent gave me a boarding pass to JFK and told me to get my connecting boarding docs from JAL.
JAL at JFK had never heard of visa on arrival. I showed them my receipt and an agent called the visa agency number. The agency faxed a memo to JAL showing a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT. My name was there. With this they handed me boarding docs and I was on my way.
New itinerary: DCA-JFK-NRT-HAN with the same return on AA as scheduled.
My JFK to NRT flight number was not ticketed as an AA flight so I did not receive mileage credit for it.
I chatted with other pax arriving at HAN. Everyone seemed to have a different understanding of the Vietnam visa situation for arriving Americans.
Any recourse.
Apr 8, 2016, 12:19 pm
#750
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA
Posts: 312
My itinerary: DCA-ORD-NRT-HAN/HAN-NRT-DFW-DCA departing 04/01/2016 on AA.
I used Vietnam-E-Visa. I had my receipt on my smart phone.
The American Airlines staff said that without a visa already affixed to my passport I was not going. I asked for the agents name and was immediately switched to an agent who stated he would try to find a way to get me there. An hour and a half of standing while the agents puzzled over this caused me to miss my first flight. The good agent gave me a boarding pass to JFK and told me to get my connecting boarding docs from JAL.
JAL at JFK had never heard of visa on arrival. I showed them my receipt and an agent called the visa agency number. The agency faxed a memo to JAL showing a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT. My name was there. With this they handed me boarding docs and I was on my way.
New itinerary: DCA-JFK-NRT-HAN with the same return on AA as scheduled.
My JFK to NRT flight number was not ticketed as an AA flight so I did not receive mileage credit for it.
I chatted with other pax arriving at HAN. Everyone seemed to have a different understanding of the Vietnam visa situation for arriving Americans.
Any recourse.
I used Vietnam-E-Visa. I had my receipt on my smart phone.
The American Airlines staff said that without a visa already affixed to my passport I was not going. I asked for the agents name and was immediately switched to an agent who stated he would try to find a way to get me there. An hour and a half of standing while the agents puzzled over this caused me to miss my first flight. The good agent gave me a boarding pass to JFK and told me to get my connecting boarding docs from JAL.
JAL at JFK had never heard of visa on arrival. I showed them my receipt and an agent called the visa agency number. The agency faxed a memo to JAL showing a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT. My name was there. With this they handed me boarding docs and I was on my way.
New itinerary: DCA-JFK-NRT-HAN with the same return on AA as scheduled.
My JFK to NRT flight number was not ticketed as an AA flight so I did not receive mileage credit for it.
I chatted with other pax arriving at HAN. Everyone seemed to have a different understanding of the Vietnam visa situation for arriving Americans.
Any recourse.