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
Dec 24, 2013, 10:19 am
#361
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
Interesting that the embassy would charge so much more than on-arrival service. You would think that it would be the other way around.
When I went 4 years ago I just dropped off my passport and application at the consular services office in DC since I live here. Picked it up a week or so later. I don't think it was more than about $25 or 30 back then. But I guess the government decided to cash in on the increase in tourism.
When I went 4 years ago I just dropped off my passport and application at the consular services office in DC since I live here. Picked it up a week or so later. I don't think it was more than about $25 or 30 back then. But I guess the government decided to cash in on the increase in tourism.
Dec 24, 2013, 11:16 am
#362
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Dec 24, 2013, 11:22 am
#363
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Make sure your hurry off the plane and that you have filled in the actual visa application before landing.
Dec 24, 2013, 2:44 pm
#364
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
VOA is much better. I usually get through in 5 to 10 minutes. Worse case was about 20 minutes. You can order expedited service from some of the agencies. (They basically just cut to the front of the line on your behalf at the airport). Can save a little bit of time.
Make sure your hurry off the plane and that you have filled in the actual visa application before landing.
Make sure your hurry off the plane and that you have filled in the actual visa application before landing.
Dec 24, 2013, 7:11 pm
#365
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5
Hi Alxandra, I had some mistakes on typing. My national is Liberia, and I got visa approval letter. Some people said that getting visa takes quite long time at the airport. Is it correct?
Dec 26, 2013, 5:53 am
#366
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
You submit some information to a travel agency. They send some information to the government, and you get back on authorization letter. I used this service:
http://www.cheapvietnamvisa.net/
for $8/person. We got out visa approval in something like 14 hours (despite paying for 3 business days).
WARNING! I was 1 of 8 people who are listed on the letter so the other 7 now know my DOB,PP#,Nationality, and Full legal name. I would have thought they would be a little more discreet and only have that info available on the persons letter alone. I can now make up 7 fake passports if I so chose, not kool at all
Dec 26, 2013, 8:02 am
#367
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,913
Man they are fast, ordered it last night and paid or it and bingo the arrival letter is in my inbox this morning, heading over mid Jan so paid $8 for the slow service
WARNING! I was 1 of 8 people who are listed on the letter so the other 7 now know my DOB,PP#,Nationality, and Full legal name. I would have thought they would be a little more discreet and only have that info available on the persons letter alone. I can now make up 7 fake passports if I so chose, not kool at all
WARNING! I was 1 of 8 people who are listed on the letter so the other 7 now know my DOB,PP#,Nationality, and Full legal name. I would have thought they would be a little more discreet and only have that info available on the persons letter alone. I can now make up 7 fake passports if I so chose, not kool at all
Dec 26, 2013, 10:22 am
#368
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
The others are from The US,(2),Brazil(1),Canada (2), China (1), Taiwan(1) no 2 people with the same last name.If I can see their info they can see mine as well!
Personally had someone posted this happened to them I would NEVER have used this outfit or any other where this is done. Way too easy for fake passports to be made using 100% legit info. The $130 at the NY Consulate now looks like a great deal
Dec 26, 2013, 11:15 am
#369
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Did it just for myself party of 1
The others are from The US,(2),Brazil(1),Canada (2), China (1), Taiwan(1) no 2 people with the same last name.If I can see their info they can see mine as well!
Personally had someone posted this happened to them I would NEVER have used this outfit or any other where this is done. Way too easy for fake passports to be made using 100% legit info. The $130 at the NY Consulate now looks like a great deal
The others are from The US,(2),Brazil(1),Canada (2), China (1), Taiwan(1) no 2 people with the same last name.If I can see their info they can see mine as well!
Personally had someone posted this happened to them I would NEVER have used this outfit or any other where this is done. Way too easy for fake passports to be made using 100% legit info. The $130 at the NY Consulate now looks like a great deal
And BTW - many people have posted in detail about how the process works.
Dec 26, 2013, 12:49 pm
#370
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Don't disagree, but frankly your fellow pax are just a small sub-set of those who will see the passport including hotel clerks at every hotel you stay at, sales clerks if you make a duty free purchase, etc. not to mention all the airline, security, immigration and customs officials. I'm a privacy nut, but I'd much rather have 6 random individuals see my details than to have it sitting around in a government or commercial database.
And BTW - many people have posted in detail about how the process works.
And BTW - many people have posted in detail about how the process works.
2- I understand that my info gets into many hands but if its nothing to worry about I say then why dont you make a post of all your personal info, why not post your PP#,DOB,Legal name , Nationality.While at it why not all your CC info as well since so many people handle it everyday I highly doubt youd ever make such a post, if you say well more then 7 others will see it,OK PM it all to me and 6 other FTers that you never met.If its no big deal. easy to say something when youre not affecetd isnt it
Dont know why you said my fellow pax, not 1 of them will be arriving when I do.The following dates are the 1st date for the visas; 28/12/2013, 29/12/2013, 16/01/2014, 20/01/2014, 15/07/2014, 14/01/2014
Last edited by craz; Dec 26, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Dec 26, 2013, 2:51 pm
#371
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
same with mine!thats why its cheap i suppose.too late now,but there is info on the net re this
Dec 26, 2013, 4:58 pm
#372
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Im wondering if all the other services that charge $15+ do the same or do they handle it as 1 party (no matter the # of people to that party) per letter
Dec 26, 2013, 6:45 pm
#373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
It's been posted at least a few times that this happens. It's the reason I'd be apprehensive about it....
Dec 27, 2013, 6:44 am
#374
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
1- Ive read thru a few threads on VOA, and cant recall a single post saying that my PP info will be shared along with others.I always thought that each person would be handled on their own and only my name would appear on the letter , better put that in no way , shape or manner would my personal info be sent to total strangers around the world
2- I understand that my info gets into many hands but if its nothing to worry about I say then why dont you make a post of all your personal info, why not post your PP#,DOB,Legal name , Nationality.While at it why not all your CC info as well since so many people handle it everyday I highly doubt youd ever make such a post, if you say well more then 7 others will see it,OK PM it all to me and 6 other FTers that you never met.If its no big deal. easy to say something when youre not affecetd isnt it
Dont know why you said my fellow pax, not 1 of them will be arriving when I do.The following dates are the 1st date for the visas; 28/12/2013, 29/12/2013, 16/01/2014, 20/01/2014, 15/07/2014, 14/01/2014
Dec 27, 2013, 8:06 am
#375
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,125
1- Ive read thru a few threads on VOA, and cant recall a single post saying that my PP info will be shared along with others.I always thought that each person would be handled on their own and only my name would appear on the letter , better put that in no way , shape or manner would my personal info be sent to total strangers around the world
2- I understand that my info gets into many hands but if its nothing to worry about I say then why dont you make a post of all your personal info, why not post your PP#,DOB,Legal name , Nationality.While at it why not all your CC info as well since so many people handle it everyday I highly doubt youd ever make such a post, if you say well more then 7 others will see it,OK PM it all to me and 6 other FTers that you never met.If its no big deal. easy to say something when youre not affecetd isnt it
2- I understand that my info gets into many hands but if its nothing to worry about I say then why dont you make a post of all your personal info, why not post your PP#,DOB,Legal name , Nationality.While at it why not all your CC info as well since so many people handle it everyday I highly doubt youd ever make such a post, if you say well more then 7 others will see it,OK PM it all to me and 6 other FTers that you never met.If its no big deal. easy to say something when youre not affecetd isnt it
That being said, if you've never traveled in Asia before, get ready to write this information down on a lot of forms for a lot of people. Especially in China, but almost everywhere in Asia, every hotel is going to have your passport #, DOB, legal name, and nationality. So, just be prepared with this information being rather publicly distributed with no real security practices. Sorry!