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
Jan 27, 2017, 4:03 pm
#1261
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA EXP 6MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 265
Government order signed on Jan 25 2017 specified that online service for electronic visa for entry to Vietnam shall be effective starting Feb 1 2017 for a period of 2 years.
In my opinion, effective date sometime is not equal to operational date, so actual experience needs to be confirmed.
The order is in Vietnamese and below are some key highlights:
1- Order mentioned the use of the website www.immigration.gov.vn as the portal for online visa application and payment of fee.
2- Application should be approved or denied within 3 days of submittal.
3- Online application process is approved for citizens of 40 countries for entry to Vietnam at 28 border points.
Border points of interest to most travellers:
Airports:
SGN (Tan Son Nhut-Saigon)
HAN (Noi Bai-Hanoi)
CXR (Cam Ranh-Nha Trang)
DAD (Da Nang)
VCA (Can Tho)
PQC (Phu Quoc)
HUE (Hue)
HPH (Cat Bi-Hai Phong)
Seaports
Quang Ninh (Ha Long bay)
Hai Phong
Nha Trang
In my opinion, effective date sometime is not equal to operational date, so actual experience needs to be confirmed.
The order is in Vietnamese and below are some key highlights:
1- Order mentioned the use of the website www.immigration.gov.vn as the portal for online visa application and payment of fee.
2- Application should be approved or denied within 3 days of submittal.
3- Online application process is approved for citizens of 40 countries for entry to Vietnam at 28 border points.
Border points of interest to most travellers:
Airports:
SGN (Tan Son Nhut-Saigon)
HAN (Noi Bai-Hanoi)
CXR (Cam Ranh-Nha Trang)
DAD (Da Nang)
VCA (Can Tho)
PQC (Phu Quoc)
HUE (Hue)
HPH (Cat Bi-Hai Phong)
Seaports
Quang Ninh (Ha Long bay)
Hai Phong
Nha Trang
Jan 27, 2017, 4:57 pm
#1262
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 948
Government order signed on Jan 25 2017 specified that online service for electronic visa for entry to Vietnam shall be effective starting Feb 1 2017 for a period of 2 years.
In my opinion, effective date sometime is not equal to operational date, so actual experience needs to be confirmed.
The order is in Vietnamese and below are some key highlights:
1- Order mentioned the use of the website www.immigration.gov.vn as the portal for online visa application and payment of fee.
2- Application should be approved or denied within 3 days of submittal.
3- Online application process is approved for citizens of 40 countries for entry to Vietnam at 28 border points.
Border points of interest to most travellers:
Airports:
SGN (Tan Son Nhut-Saigon)
HAN (Noi Bai-Hanoi)
CXR (Cam Ranh-Nha Trang)
DAD (Da Nang)
VCA (Can Tho)
PQC (Phu Quoc)
HUE (Hue)
HPH (Cat Bi-Hai Phong)
Seaports
Quang Ninh (Ha Long bay)
Hai Phong
Nha Trang
In my opinion, effective date sometime is not equal to operational date, so actual experience needs to be confirmed.
The order is in Vietnamese and below are some key highlights:
1- Order mentioned the use of the website www.immigration.gov.vn as the portal for online visa application and payment of fee.
2- Application should be approved or denied within 3 days of submittal.
3- Online application process is approved for citizens of 40 countries for entry to Vietnam at 28 border points.
Border points of interest to most travellers:
Airports:
SGN (Tan Son Nhut-Saigon)
HAN (Noi Bai-Hanoi)
CXR (Cam Ranh-Nha Trang)
DAD (Da Nang)
VCA (Can Tho)
PQC (Phu Quoc)
HUE (Hue)
HPH (Cat Bi-Hai Phong)
Seaports
Quang Ninh (Ha Long bay)
Hai Phong
Nha Trang
Jan 28, 2017, 12:36 am
#1263
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Jan 28, 2017, 2:52 am
#1265
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 948
Maybe Australia will one day be included on the list.
I would like to apply for the 5 year spouse waiver but i cant get an answer from the embassy on the cost so i can include payment with the application.
Jan 28, 2017, 2:34 pm
#1267
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,841
OK, just missed getting application in prior to Lunar New Year holidays. Applied at http://www.vietnamvisa.govt.vn and received notification that the holiday application cost would be $195 USD (from $17). Are there any other reputable processors that are more reasonable during the holidays, or is this typical? Thanks.
Jan 28, 2017, 7:09 pm
#1268
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I cannot access the site from the US, either, but it might not be accessible until Feb 1. With that said, this article includes a link to a list of the 40 countries, and Australia does not appear on the list.
Feb 1, 2017, 3:42 pm
#1269
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
I cannot access the site from the US, either, but it might not be accessible until Feb 1. With that said, this article includes a link to a list of the 40 countries, and Australia does not appear on the list.
http://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel-l...e-3535029.html
Apparently, you can go here instead.
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...trang-chu-ttdt
I have little confidence that things will go smoothly with this pilot program.
Feb 1, 2017, 4:38 pm
#1270
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
Can someone please clarify:
I/we have a trip planned to Vietnam and Cambodia for December 2017. We will be in Ho Chi Minh City for several days, then begin a river cruise that terminates in Cambodia. A few nights in Siem Reap, and then a stand-alone/repositioning flight back to Ho Chi Minh in order to catch our USA bound flight.
Questions:
1. If we are flying back into SGN (from REP) with the sole purpose of transiting to a separate/new flight on the same day out of the same terminal (T2), do we need a multi-visit Visa for Vietnam, or is transiting in SGN airport excluded for same day connections?
2. Regardless of single entry or multi-entry, can a US citizen obtain an e-Visa for tourism/holiday purposes, or do we need to go to the Vietnamese Embassy in our home city (SFO).
Thank you for helping to clarify. ^
I/we have a trip planned to Vietnam and Cambodia for December 2017. We will be in Ho Chi Minh City for several days, then begin a river cruise that terminates in Cambodia. A few nights in Siem Reap, and then a stand-alone/repositioning flight back to Ho Chi Minh in order to catch our USA bound flight.
Questions:
1. If we are flying back into SGN (from REP) with the sole purpose of transiting to a separate/new flight on the same day out of the same terminal (T2), do we need a multi-visit Visa for Vietnam, or is transiting in SGN airport excluded for same day connections?
2. Regardless of single entry or multi-entry, can a US citizen obtain an e-Visa for tourism/holiday purposes, or do we need to go to the Vietnamese Embassy in our home city (SFO).
Thank you for helping to clarify. ^
Feb 1, 2017, 5:07 pm
#1271
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
1) I am going to say yes you will need a multi-entry visa assuming that it is two different airlines on two different tickets.
2) Yes, US citizens can obtain an e-Visa for tourism.
2) Yes, US citizens can obtain an e-Visa for tourism.
Feb 1, 2017, 5:13 pm
#1272
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Can someone please clarify:
Questions:
1. If we are flying back into SGN (from REP) with the sole purpose of transiting to a separate/new flight on the same day out of the same terminal (T2), do we need a multi-visit Visa for Vietnam, or is transiting in SGN airport excluded for same day connections?
Questions:
1. If we are flying back into SGN (from REP) with the sole purpose of transiting to a separate/new flight on the same day out of the same terminal (T2), do we need a multi-visit Visa for Vietnam, or is transiting in SGN airport excluded for same day connections?
2. Regardless of single entry or multi-entry, can a US citizen obtain an e-Visa for tourism/holiday purposes, or do we need to go to the Vietnamese Embassy in our home city (SFO).
Feb 15, 2017, 4:25 pm
#1273
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LAX/VNY (Hometown: CAK)
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Regal Diamond
Posts: 743
So the site is now available. eVisa fee appears to be $25, making it cheaper than certain kinds of VOA.
Feb 15, 2017, 4:28 pm
#1274
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
Feb 16, 2017, 5:02 am
#1275
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 386
Flew into SGN today around 11:00am. The VOA arrival line was a mad house. No single file lines. You just have to fight through to submit your passport. It took about 10 mins to submit your passport and paperwork to the agent. The wait for your name to be call was another 45mins. In all, it took about an hour to secure my VOA. I have a USA passport and the stamp fee was $25 for single entry. I paid $6 for the letter from http://www.vietnamvisapro.com/