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 22, 2016, 1:24 pm
#1201
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
The fee for the letter also varies, from $8 to $25, depending again on the company. When you land in SGN, HAN, or DAD the stamping fee is additional, and for the cheapest visa it is $25.
I would note that a few posts ago people mentioned the fee has been reduced on agency sites, but not yet in the airports. It's probably reasonable to assume the airports will follow the instructions very soon, and definitely likely before 3 more weeks, but it is an assumption until there are data points of it happening.
Dec 22, 2016, 1:29 pm
#1202
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
A couple questions:
1) I submitted a Visa application online but did not mail it in yet. Is it too late to switch to VOA? Really uncomfortable sending off my passport.
2) The wiki at the top mentions a 2" x 2" passport photo, but the Visa application mentions a 4cm x 6cm photo. Does anyone know which is correct (or if either is fine) and which size is needed for a VOA at the airport if I can still VOA?
Thanks!
1) I submitted a Visa application online but did not mail it in yet. Is it too late to switch to VOA? Really uncomfortable sending off my passport.
2) The wiki at the top mentions a 2" x 2" passport photo, but the Visa application mentions a 4cm x 6cm photo. Does anyone know which is correct (or if either is fine) and which size is needed for a VOA at the airport if I can still VOA?
Thanks!
#2 - Either is fine. I've used 2x2 many times. Worst case, you have to pay the guy 5 bucks to take you a new photo and wait an extra 10 minutes, as a surprising number of people show up without the photo.
Dec 22, 2016, 5:37 pm
#1203
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DCA
Posts: 814
You have plenty of time. Non-expedited service is typically 2-5 days for the invitation letter, depending on which service you use. The one I use often sends it back the same day I apply.
The fee for the letter also varies, from $8 to $25, depending again on the company. When you land in SGN, HAN, or DAD the stamping fee is additional, and for the cheapest visa it is $25.
I would note that a few posts ago people mentioned the fee has been reduced on agency sites, but not yet in the airports. It's probably reasonable to assume the airports will follow the instructions very soon, and definitely likely before 3 more weeks, but it is an assumption until there are data points of it happening.
The fee for the letter also varies, from $8 to $25, depending again on the company. When you land in SGN, HAN, or DAD the stamping fee is additional, and for the cheapest visa it is $25.
I would note that a few posts ago people mentioned the fee has been reduced on agency sites, but not yet in the airports. It's probably reasonable to assume the airports will follow the instructions very soon, and definitely likely before 3 more weeks, but it is an assumption until there are data points of it happening.
Also there is the time savings at the airport with the embassy. Are the VOA lines long at SGN in Jan?
Dec 22, 2016, 10:09 pm
#1204
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Lines mostly depend on which flight you arrive on. Usually it's around twenty to thirty minutes wait for the widebodies. If you're on one that lands just following another, might be forty minutes.
Dec 23, 2016, 6:42 am
#1205
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,509
#1 - I don't have any evidence this is ok, but it doesn't strike me as a problem.
#2 - Either is fine. I've used 2x2 many times. Worst case, you have to pay the guy 5 bucks to take you a new photo and wait an extra 10 minutes, as a surprising number of people show up without the photo.
#2 - Either is fine. I've used 2x2 many times. Worst case, you have to pay the guy 5 bucks to take you a new photo and wait an extra 10 minutes, as a surprising number of people show up without the photo.
Dec 23, 2016, 8:20 am
#1206
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
US citizens here, paid $25 each at SGN tonight for stamp fee. Lines were big and it took about an hour to get the visa sticker. After the 20 hours from US that wait was brutal! They seemed to let VOA folks thru diplomat lane so that saved us from a second line.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
Dec 23, 2016, 8:32 am
#1207
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 19
A couple questions:
1) I submitted a Visa application online but did not mail it in yet. Is it too late to switch to VOA? Really uncomfortable sending off my passport.
2) The wiki at the top mentions a 2" x 2" passport photo, but the Visa application mentions a 4cm x 6cm photo. Does anyone know which is correct (or if either is fine) and which size is needed for a VOA at the airport if I can still VOA?
Thanks!
1) I submitted a Visa application online but did not mail it in yet. Is it too late to switch to VOA? Really uncomfortable sending off my passport.
2) The wiki at the top mentions a 2" x 2" passport photo, but the Visa application mentions a 4cm x 6cm photo. Does anyone know which is correct (or if either is fine) and which size is needed for a VOA at the airport if I can still VOA?
Thanks!
2. The laws of Vietnam doesn't have any particular requirement on the size of passport photo plus the immigration officers seem not to care much about that. So as long as your photo is around the passport photo size, not tiny or huge, the image is clear and look like you, you'll be fine. I guess 2"x2" or 4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm, they all will be accepted.
Dec 23, 2016, 8:33 am
#1208
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 19
US citizens here, paid $25 each at SGN tonight for stamp fee. Lines were big and it took about an hour to get the visa sticker. After the 20 hours from US that wait was brutal! They seemed to let VOA folks thru diplomat lane so that saved us from a second line.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
Thanks for your confirmation and welcome to Vietnam. If you go to Hanoi, pm me and we'll have some coffee
Dec 23, 2016, 6:03 pm
#1209
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Thanks for the welcome Tuan and i wish we had planned to swing through Hanoi but current plan is to stay south. We may change plans yet though, we have never stayed 10 days in Saigon, so who knows maybe a day trip up there! Weather still looks a bit unsettled here later in the week, so we may head somewhere for a day or two.
Dec 23, 2016, 10:31 pm
#1210
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DCA
Posts: 814
US citizens here, paid $25 each at SGN tonight for stamp fee. Lines were big and it took about an hour to get the visa sticker. After the 20 hours from US that wait was brutal! They seemed to let VOA folks thru diplomat lane so that saved us from a second line.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
Make sure to have VOA letter that asks for correct visa types, folks around us had older letters and had to pay $135.
I am also staying South and would be very interested to hear what you get up to.
Dec 25, 2016, 9:28 am
#1211
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 19
Dec 26, 2016, 3:46 am
#1212
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
The certainty of spending several hours going to an Embassy sends me to straight to the VOA line where I know 19 times out of 20, I'll be through in 15 to 20 minutes.
Dec 26, 2016, 5:41 pm
#1213
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
I've used VOA at SGN at minimum 3x and unless you are last row of aircraft, or confusion upon arrival because Vietnam changes policy every other week - it shouldn't take more than 20-25 minute.
Remember - there are three processes you are dealing with upon arrival:
a. VOA - If you need to submit letter, application form, photos, $$ --> they check everything call your name and send you to next step
b. Immigration - they verify your visa - this line is typically quick/fast
c. Luggage - await your bags - if flying from the US - likely a big plane so may take about 25+ mins.
While you may skip one of the above steps if you check a bag (vs. just carry-on) you still have to wait for C so don't understand rushing via a,b if the slowest denominator is C.
Remember - there are three processes you are dealing with upon arrival:
a. VOA - If you need to submit letter, application form, photos, $$ --> they check everything call your name and send you to next step
b. Immigration - they verify your visa - this line is typically quick/fast
c. Luggage - await your bags - if flying from the US - likely a big plane so may take about 25+ mins.
While you may skip one of the above steps if you check a bag (vs. just carry-on) you still have to wait for C so don't understand rushing via a,b if the slowest denominator is C.
Dec 27, 2016, 3:25 pm
#1214
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Vietnamese Visa Application Form Inaccessible
Can't connect to the online form in either Safari or Chrome. You can get to the Embassy site but not beyond that (configuration database issue using multiple computers and smartphone). PDF form doesn't even list fees. They don't answer the phone. How do you even get to first base with this operation?
Dec 27, 2016, 7:31 pm
#1215
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Marriott Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 106
Arrived with visa
Just to close the loop on my earlier post, I arrived from ICN two days ago with embassy issued visa and breezed through.
5 minutes to curbside.
Unfortunately, I hadn't organized my SIM Card in airport so rather than using Uber, I took a taxi from stand and was promptly ripped off, paying about 5x what I should have. Thus squandering the savings I had realized on the visa. Irony!
Good luck to others.
5 minutes to curbside.
Unfortunately, I hadn't organized my SIM Card in airport so rather than using Uber, I took a taxi from stand and was promptly ripped off, paying about 5x what I should have. Thus squandering the savings I had realized on the visa. Irony!
Good luck to others.