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
Oct 7, 2015, 9:32 am
#661
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
I read about this on TripAdvisor. Its one of the CONS to doing the VOA, but apparently its normal.
What does concern me is there are soooo many sites offering VOAs it just mind boggling. I'm curious how someone goes about choosing one?
We're leaving mid-Nov and I find myself dragging my feet to get this done.
What does concern me is there are soooo many sites offering VOAs it just mind boggling. I'm curious how someone goes about choosing one?
We're leaving mid-Nov and I find myself dragging my feet to get this done.
The one posted above is one of the cheapest ones I have looked at. I have found some to be up to $24 per person for just the VOA letter. Then the consideration of fast track.
Oct 7, 2015, 9:56 am
#662
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,884
I feel the same way. I don't know which one to give my money to! They all apparently do the same thing, but all of them cost different amounts of money. I also just can't trust someone that doesn't have a decent looking website layout, haha.
The one posted above is one of the cheapest ones I have looked at. I have found some to be up to $24 per person for just the VOA letter. Then the consideration of fast track.
The one posted above is one of the cheapest ones I have looked at. I have found some to be up to $24 per person for just the VOA letter. Then the consideration of fast track.
OK.....
I am with you on the website. I feel the same about any business now-a-days.
Oct 7, 2015, 5:19 pm
#663
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Used this agency for VoA letter, got it in two days but on the second page our (my and my wife's) names, passport numbers and arrival dates are listed in addition to five other people.
I do understand that they did it to cut costs but will I get any problems at the arrival?
I do understand that they did it to cut costs but will I get any problems at the arrival?
I had no problems either in '14 or again this past Jan since each person gets recorded separately on the computer I imagine. No questions or comments of any mind from those at SGNs VOA window
Oct 7, 2015, 5:46 pm
#664
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
I used them in '14 for the 1st time, and when I saw close to a dz names and PP #s I wasnt a happy camper. But when I decided to go back again in 1/15, I used them again since it seems all the companys do the samething.
I had no problems either in '14 or again this past Jan since each person gets recorded separately on the computer I imagine. No questions or comments of any mind from those at SGNs VOA window
I had no problems either in '14 or again this past Jan since each person gets recorded separately on the computer I imagine. No questions or comments of any mind from those at SGNs VOA window
They are fairly cheaper than some of the others.
Oct 7, 2015, 6:48 pm
#665
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
I used them in '14 for the 1st time, and when I saw close to a dz names and PP #s I wasnt a happy camper. But when I decided to go back again in 1/15, I used them again since it seems all the companys do the samething.
I had no problems either in '14 or again this past Jan since each person gets recorded separately on the computer I imagine. No questions or comments of any mind from those at SGNs VOA window
I had no problems either in '14 or again this past Jan since each person gets recorded separately on the computer I imagine. No questions or comments of any mind from those at SGNs VOA window
Oct 7, 2015, 7:00 pm
#666
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
Any idea why some of them cost more? The one he is posting about is the cheapest I have seen yet. For two of us 1 month multiple entry it was $24 total so $12/person. Several others were pushing $40.
Oct 8, 2015, 1:00 am
#667
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
To stay in the terminal, you'd have to show a printout of your onward flight at the Transfer Desk, and someone escorts you directly up to the departures level. Not a great terminal to be hanging out in for several hours, but it's an option.
It's too bad the Popeye's Chicken is on the arrivals level just beyond customs
Oct 8, 2015, 6:45 am
#668
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
Last I checked, there was no transit visa; to leave the terminal, you have to have a full-fledged visa.
To stay in the terminal, you'd have to show a printout of your onward flight at the Transfer Desk, and someone escorts you directly up to the departures level. Not a great terminal to be hanging out in for several hours, but it's an option.
It's too bad the Popeye's Chicken is on the arrivals level just beyond customs
To stay in the terminal, you'd have to show a printout of your onward flight at the Transfer Desk, and someone escorts you directly up to the departures level. Not a great terminal to be hanging out in for several hours, but it's an option.
It's too bad the Popeye's Chicken is on the arrivals level just beyond customs
I accepted my fate. I went ahead and booked a hotel for that night right down the road.
Oct 13, 2015, 10:11 am
#669
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Vietnam today announced reduced fees for Visas, beginning Nov. 23. Prices for $45 visas down to $25 and $90 down to $50.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/...ism-52402.html
I won't update the Wiki quite yet, as I mentioned before some things announced as certain get turned into rumor quickly. If some others confirm this is true, would be good news for many of us.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/...ism-52402.html
I won't update the Wiki quite yet, as I mentioned before some things announced as certain get turned into rumor quickly. If some others confirm this is true, would be good news for many of us.
Oct 13, 2015, 10:29 am
#670
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
That would be excellent news! Thanks for the update. Will keep my eye on this to make sure its confirmed.
Oct 13, 2015, 10:52 am
#671
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 110
That's great. Beer money.
Oct 13, 2015, 11:06 am
#672
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72
Oct 13, 2015, 7:54 pm
#673
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Anybody here every applied for and gotten a 12 month commercial visa?
Oct 13, 2015, 9:08 pm
#674
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Vietnam today announced reduced fees for Visas, beginning Nov. 23. Prices for $45 visas down to $25 and $90 down to $50.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/...ism-52402.html
I won't update the Wiki quite yet, as I mentioned before some things announced as certain get turned into rumor quickly. If some others confirm this is true, would be good news for many of us.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/...ism-52402.html
I won't update the Wiki quite yet, as I mentioned before some things announced as certain get turned into rumor quickly. If some others confirm this is true, would be good news for many of us.
At the same time as it was correctly mentioned, time from the announcement to the reality could be quite long, if any.
Oct 13, 2015, 9:25 pm
#675
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Missouri, USA
Programs: MileagePlus, Star Alliance, hotels.com
Posts: 72