I have just applied for my Vietnam Visa in person in Vancouver and thought I would share my experience to assist others.

There are a number of online Visa On Arrival services (VOA), but I was a little concerned that the gov't consular website warned travelers from using them. Not sure why, but the consulate in Vancouver was a couple of blocks from my office so I walked over this morning. (It's at Robson and Seymour, for those familiar with the city).

The form for applications is available through the consulate's website: Visa Link. I completed it and printed it out.I also took with me a copy of the photo page of my passport.

On arrival in the Visa Office, there was only one other person there. I presented the documents paid my fee of $144 CAD (approximately $107 USD) for multiple entry and I was out of there in 5 minutes. I was advised to come back on Wednesday with my passport to put the stamp in.

Obviously, I don't know how smoothly this will go at the airport in HCMC (I was there 15 years ago and have no recollection what I did then), but the process couldn't have been easier and it was about $50 cheaper than going through the online services.

Hope this is of some use to others.

PS - I will be doing a mileage run YVR-ICN-SGN return between Christmas and New Years, staying at Renaissance for two nights. If anyone has some recommendations for a restaurant or two in SGN, I'm all ears.