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
Apr 8, 2016, 3:14 pm
#751
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: GRU
Programs: *A Gold, OW Sapphire, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 3,367
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, 4:04 pm
#752
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Alexandria, Va. USA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, DL Silver, UA Gold, *A Gold, OW Emerald
Posts: 1,492
I emailed my request for Original Routing Miles to AA Customer Relations. I just received a response. They told me to call a certain phone number which is only available Monday through Friday. I will call them Monday morning and report how it went.
Apr 10, 2016, 3:45 am
#753
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
It's really pretty simple. Email or fill out the form, pay agency, print and bring the form, bring a picture and cash. But some websites, forums, and even the staff at some airports have trouble with it, as you were witness. I've done VOA around 10 times, never with a hair of trouble in Vietnam. Check-in on the west coast has not given me trouble. EVA staff at Sapporo did take about 5 minutes to have two people read it and make a copy though, and now you had an issue on the East Coast. I am actually surprised your agency was on the ball to send a fax that quick to be honest.
Sorry for the trouble, glad you made it though.
Last edited by maverick17; Apr 10, 2016 at 11:02 am
Apr 10, 2016, 9:57 am
#754
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
Orion: did you have the the VOA memo with the list of pax with you? I haven't done VOA but I'm about to in three weeks and my understanding is you're supposed to have that list with you.
Apr 10, 2016, 11:01 am
#755
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Actually I would also appreciate clarification, Orion, on the "receipt" on your phone. Can we assume that you mean you had a copy of the letter you are supposed to take with you as the "receipt"?
Apr 10, 2016, 8:07 pm
#756
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,809
That's what you need along with your visa application. Fill it out the application before you get to the airport, so you don't have to deal with it upon arrival.
Apr 11, 2016, 6:51 am
#757
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Hanoi
Programs: BA Silver, Accor + Hilton Gold, YHA Life member
Posts: 64
Apr 11, 2016, 7:06 am
#758
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
I wonder why they don't lower their fees? I'd totally have paid a premium to have the visa ahead of time...a reasonable premium. Especially when its a question of swinging by the upper west side for an hour. But I can't bring myself to indulge when the total cost to do so is $65 more. If the difference had been, say, $30, I'd have done it.
Apr 11, 2016, 10:46 am
#759
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Alexandria, Va. USA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, DL Silver, UA Gold, *A Gold, OW Emerald
Posts: 1,492
Thanks everyone for your comments and questions. First the good news. This morning I called AA as their email asked me to do. My miles (both base and bonus) were posted yesterday. I am now quite a bit closer to my 2 Million mile goal. The receipt on my smart phone included an attachment which was a blank form for me to download and fill out. I didn't have a printer with me and was never asked to fill out any form by AA or JL.
At HAN an agent of the agency had a sign board with my name and others. I gave him my passport and he returned with my visa attached to the passport in about 15 minutes. It was all very easy. But the uncertainty caused me a lot of anxiety while traveling to Hanoi.
At HAN an agent of the agency had a sign board with my name and others. I gave him my passport and he returned with my visa attached to the passport in about 15 minutes. It was all very easy. But the uncertainty caused me a lot of anxiety while traveling to Hanoi.
Apr 11, 2016, 10:59 am
#760
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Fll/mia/bkk
Programs: AA explt, 5 million miler
Posts: 206
I flew from Bkk to Hanoi a couple of weeks ago. I decided to get a visa at the embassy in Bangkok. I had been talking to a couple that had recently gone to Vietnam and spend 30 minutes with VOA. I was going for convience over cost.
When we arrived with 300 passengers I went straight to officer and most of the other passengers were getting in line for visa. My friend is Vietnamese so we were both thru and had luggage before more than 5 other passengers showed up.
I would have no problem doing VOA, but a visa can save a lot of headaches.
When we arrived with 300 passengers I went straight to officer and most of the other passengers were getting in line for visa. My friend is Vietnamese so we were both thru and had luggage before more than 5 other passengers showed up.
I would have no problem doing VOA, but a visa can save a lot of headaches.
Apr 12, 2016, 12:47 am
#761
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Orion, If I am not mistaken, you did not have your VOA letter when you tried to check-in. The "receipt" is not the same thing. The fax which your agent sent over with "a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT" was the VOA letter. If you do not have the actual VOA letter or an actual visa, every agent at every airline will deny you boarding. Sounds like your bad, not the airline's bad.
Apr 12, 2016, 1:16 am
#762
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
As long as you have the VOA letter your fine. Just don't mess up like Orion and take the receipt instead of the actual letter. Information on VOA is accessible to every airline agent via Timatic which they can access in about 3 seconds.
Apr 12, 2016, 2:08 am
#763
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I updated the Wiki with some notes on how the actual VOA process works at the SGN airport. It normally looks like a CF, but it always work fine and reliably.
Apr 12, 2016, 6:48 am
#764
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
@5Khours: If I know some updated information or some trustworthy agencies, can I add them to the wiki? For example: the above agency is highly recommended as they do private VOA without additional charge, deliver the VOA within 24 hours and accept Paypal.
Apr 12, 2016, 8:53 am
#765
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Orion, If I am not mistaken, you did not have your VOA letter when you tried to check-in. The "receipt" is not the same thing. The fax which your agent sent over with "a list of 24 pax who would be arriving on my flight from NRT" was the VOA letter. If you do not have the actual VOA letter or an actual visa, every agent at every airline will deny you boarding.
I've heard it, just didn't ever see anything written, so I figured to qualify myself a bit.
