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
May 12, 2017, 5:48 pm
#1321
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
No.
Airline agents will almost always check for visas or VOA letters unless you are visa exempt. Separately they will sometimes check for onward tickets but this is completely unrelated to whether you are traveling on a visa, carry a VOA, or are visa exempt.
Checking for visas and checking for onward reservations are unrelated and independent of one another.
If you are visa exempt there is NO benefit in obtaining a visa.
Airline agents will almost always check for visas or VOA letters unless you are visa exempt. Separately they will sometimes check for onward tickets but this is completely unrelated to whether you are traveling on a visa, carry a VOA, or are visa exempt.
Checking for visas and checking for onward reservations are unrelated and independent of one another.
If you are visa exempt there is NO benefit in obtaining a visa.
May 13, 2017, 3:35 am
#1322
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 4
No.
Airline agents will almost always check for visas or VOA letters unless you are visa exempt. Separately they will sometimes check for onward tickets but this is completely unrelated to whether you are traveling on a visa, carry a VOA, or are visa exempt.
Checking for visas and checking for onward reservations are unrelated and independent of one another.
If you are visa exempt there is NO benefit in obtaining a visa.
Airline agents will almost always check for visas or VOA letters unless you are visa exempt. Separately they will sometimes check for onward tickets but this is completely unrelated to whether you are traveling on a visa, carry a VOA, or are visa exempt.
Checking for visas and checking for onward reservations are unrelated and independent of one another.
If you are visa exempt there is NO benefit in obtaining a visa.
The following are exempt from holding a visa:
Nationals of Italy with a normal passport for a maximum stay of 15 days.
Passengers entering Viet Nam without a visa must have a gap of at least 30 days from their last departure date from Viet Nam. This does not apply if the passenger entered Viet Nam with a visa for their last visit.
Nationals of Italy with a normal passport for a maximum stay of 15 days.
Passengers entering Viet Nam without a visa must have a gap of at least 30 days from their last departure date from Viet Nam. This does not apply if the passenger entered Viet Nam with a visa for their last visit.
Important:
Holders of normal, emergency or temporary passports issued to nationals of Italy entering Viet Nam without a visa must have a gap of at least 30 days from their last departure date from Viet Nam.
This does not apply to passengers who entered Viet Nam with a visa for their last visit.
Visa exempt visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.
Holders of normal, emergency or temporary passports issued to nationals of Italy entering Viet Nam without a visa must have a gap of at least 30 days from their last departure date from Viet Nam.
This does not apply to passengers who entered Viet Nam with a visa for their last visit.
Visa exempt visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.
Btw do you think that my PNH-REP and REP-BKK tickets (both in less than 15 days from my flight to SGN) could work as proof of onward travel?
May 13, 2017, 4:07 pm
#1323
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Don't waste your time. The online process is super easy and took less than 48 hours for both the visas I applied for.
May 17, 2017, 9:01 pm
#1324
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: DL Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy TE, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 8
Hi, new to FlyerTalk and planning a mileage run CLT-DTW-ICN-SGN RT. I arrive 1030 pm to SGN and fly out 830 am the next morning. I have a US passport. From what I have read transit less than 24 hours is an exemption.
1) Is this correct that this is an exemption for a Visa?
2) If so is there any good place to stay overnight in the airport? I am DL Gold and have Amex Platinum, Priority Pass
3) Should I get the VoA online just to be safe?
Trip is in 4 weeks from now.
TIA
1) Is this correct that this is an exemption for a Visa?
2) If so is there any good place to stay overnight in the airport? I am DL Gold and have Amex Platinum, Priority Pass
3) Should I get the VoA online just to be safe?
Trip is in 4 weeks from now.
TIA
May 18, 2017, 12:38 am
#1325
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Welcome to FlyerTalk
Just get the visa. You might not be allowed to board to come to Vietnam if you're relying on that exemption, and technically turning around to ICN isn't transit anyway so you wouldn't qualify. Not worth the risk.
The lounges are pretty average, but you might not be able to get back into departures area unless you're in J and the KE people will check you in extra early. Plenty of cheap hotels in SGN, some very close to the airport.
Just get the visa. You might not be allowed to board to come to Vietnam if you're relying on that exemption, and technically turning around to ICN isn't transit anyway so you wouldn't qualify. Not worth the risk.
The lounges are pretty average, but you might not be able to get back into departures area unless you're in J and the KE people will check you in extra early. Plenty of cheap hotels in SGN, some very close to the airport.
Hi, new to FlyerTalk and planning a mileage run CLT-DTW-ICN-SGN RT. I arrive 1030 pm to SGN and fly out 830 am the next morning. I have a US passport. From what I have read transit less than 24 hours is an exemption.
1) Is this correct that this is an exemption for a Visa?
2) If so is there any good place to stay overnight in the airport? I am DL Gold and have Amex Platinum, Priority Pass
3) Should I get the VoA online just to be safe?
Trip is in 4 weeks from now.
TIA
1) Is this correct that this is an exemption for a Visa?
2) If so is there any good place to stay overnight in the airport? I am DL Gold and have Amex Platinum, Priority Pass
3) Should I get the VoA online just to be safe?
Trip is in 4 weeks from now.
TIA
May 18, 2017, 1:47 pm
#1326
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: DL Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy TE, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 8
Thanks Maverick. I was thinking as much. Visa online and hotel for 4 hours sleep.
May 18, 2017, 5:38 pm
#1327
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
FWIW, the Eastin Hotel is about 10 minutes from the airport. Probably the best nearby hotel. It's where most of the airline crews overnight. Of course there are a ton of much cheaper options also.
May 22, 2017, 7:22 pm
#1328
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: DL Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy TE, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 8
Jul 2, 2017, 11:30 pm
#1329
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,689
Sorry if this has been covered - am on mobile and search doesn't work...
Need some clarification on Phu Quoc visa waiver. I am reading conflicting into on diff sites. If I land in SGN or HAN and connect to PQC on a separate ticket, does that qualify for visa waiver?
Need some clarification on Phu Quoc visa waiver. I am reading conflicting into on diff sites. If I land in SGN or HAN and connect to PQC on a separate ticket, does that qualify for visa waiver?
Jul 6, 2017, 12:09 am
#1330
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Hardly any discussion has happened about the special Phu Quoc visa exemption. I vaguely remember one question a year or so ago. I also remember a blog post about it by someone flying BR IAH-TPE-SGN then onward. That lack of data points, plus this thread is pretty dead since the e-visa introduction, is I guess why no one seems to have an answer.
Jul 6, 2017, 7:49 am
#1331
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
I don't think you will find much information about it. I would just recommend getting the Vietnam e-visa.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:20 pm
#1332
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 538
[KVS Tool 8.5.5/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
Code:
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US) Destination Viet Nam (VN) [Visa Information - Destination] Viet Nam (VN) [Information For Normal Passports] Passport required. - With a visa, passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 30 days beyond the expiry date of the visa. - Without a visa, passports and other documents accepted for entry issued to nationals of USA must be valid for a minimum of 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. Visa required, except for Nationals of USA arriving at Phu Quoc (PQC) for a maximum stay of 30 days. Visa required, except for Nationals of USA arriving at Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with onward tickets for a connecting flight, on the same day, to Phu Quoc (PQC). They must clear immigration at Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) where they will be granted a maximum stay of 30 days and transfer to domestic terminal for a connecting flight to Phu Quoc (PQC). [...]
Jul 7, 2017, 1:37 am
#1333
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,689
Jul 7, 2017, 7:34 am
#1334
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
Last time I was at SGN (it was a couple of years ago) there was no way to transfer from international to domestic. You go outside and walk to the other building/airport/terminal. You check in, you go through security...just like any person off the street would do when flying domestic. I would still advise to just get an e-visa. Otherwise, prepare for a hassle.
Also if you try to do the Phu Quoc exemption, PLEASE report back to us with what happened.
Also if you try to do the Phu Quoc exemption, PLEASE report back to us with what happened.
Jul 7, 2017, 5:01 pm
#1335
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Thought I would add my evisa experience to the mix.
Application was quick and painless. Uploading the images was easy and site seemed to function well. Took less than five minutes.
Evisa showed up 1.5 business days later.
Application was quick and painless. Uploading the images was easy and site seemed to function well. Took less than five minutes.
Evisa showed up 1.5 business days later.
