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
Jun 6, 2019, 4:57 pm
#1621
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 455
SGN Arrival Immigration
See my comments above
Jun 6, 2019, 6:25 pm
#1622
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
VOA hasn't really been one of my options so I'm not sure if this is relevant to my situation?
[also, sadly, I'm only Delta Silver....But we're flying VN business -would that get us the Sky priority line if we have the evisa?]
[also, sadly, I'm only Delta Silver....But we're flying VN business -would that get us the Sky priority line if we have the evisa?]
Jun 16, 2019, 9:09 am
#1623
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Just realized I don't think we can do the evisa because we are not EXITING Vietnam via one of the approved ports. We'll be sailing on the Mekong River and cross the border at Ving Xuong in Vietnam/Kaam Samnor in Cambodia. [This crossing point is commonly referred to as the Chau Doc crossing per my travel materials]. I knew I couldn't do an evisa for Cambodia because of the river entry. So I guess I'll do the 30 day (with multiple entry) via the Consulate (but only if I can do online?) Ugh.....
Jun 20, 2019, 7:04 pm
#1624
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
If I understand this correctly, if I apply and obtain a one month multi entry loose leaf visa this means I won't have to go through VOA?
I am worried about EVISA because we enter/depart on the same day then will return four days later so figure securing multi entry visa will be easier. I also assume I will only have to pay a stamping fee on my first entry? Or do I have to pay the fee again on my second entry?
I am worried about EVISA because we enter/depart on the same day then will return four days later so figure securing multi entry visa will be easier. I also assume I will only have to pay a stamping fee on my first entry? Or do I have to pay the fee again on my second entry?
Jun 21, 2019, 11:23 am
#1625
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Your photo shows only one point in time. Actually the VOA wait is often concurrent to the long lines at the immigration counter, not consecutive. So you are left with only another short wait of 3-5 minutes. There are times like you suggest, where one wait follows another, if another flight lands just before you get your VOA. But for my dozen or so VOA experiences, only one or two was more than 20 minutes at VOA, and only one or two was VOA wait followed by a long immigration wait. YMMV.
Jun 21, 2019, 11:30 am
#1626
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
If I understand this correctly, if I apply and obtain a one month multi entry loose leaf visa this means I won't have to go through VOA?
I am worried about EVISA because we enter/depart on the same day then will return four days later so figure securing multi entry visa will be easier. I also assume I will only have to pay a stamping fee on my first entry? Or do I have to pay the fee again on my second entry?
I am worried about EVISA because we enter/depart on the same day then will return four days later so figure securing multi entry visa will be easier. I also assume I will only have to pay a stamping fee on my first entry? Or do I have to pay the fee again on my second entry?
Loose leaf visa, obtained via the embassy/consulate, would mean you can skip the VOA line, that is correct. There are fewer reports of people using the loose leaf method, but afaik, your stamping fee is included in the price to obtain it. So you pay only once for multi-entry, and do not pay at the counters in Vietnam on arrival. You skip VOA lines on both entries but not the regular lines for immigration obviously.
eVisa, according to posts above, had no trouble with a quick return to Vietnam and a second letter. Visa exemption, for those countries who are permitted to use that method, cannot return immediately and have a 15 day waiting period before they can come back on exemption again. VOA also offers a multi-entry visa, which you would pay for only once, and then skip the lines at VOA the following time you come back, but you have the VOA line the first time you arrive, and you pay at that VOA counter, as well as paying for the VOA invitation letter.
Last edited by maverick17; Jun 21, 2019 at 11:50 am
Jun 21, 2019, 12:05 pm
#1627
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Just realized I don't think we can do the evisa because we are not EXITING Vietnam via one of the approved ports. We'll be sailing on the Mekong River and cross the border at Ving Xuong in Vietnam/Kaam Samnor in Cambodia. [This crossing point is commonly referred to as the Chau Doc crossing per my travel materials]. I knew I couldn't do an evisa for Cambodia because of the river entry. So I guess I'll do the 30 day (with multiple entry) via the Consulate (but only if I can do online?) Ugh.....
If you do try this, please let us know how it goes.
Jun 21, 2019, 1:28 pm
#1628
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
I go in August, so thanks - how many names can one spot have? Up to 4 at this point ;-) The Vietnam consulate website is so confusing! [I knew I couldn't use evisa for Cambodia river arrival - will go the consulate route for them I think, can't remember - we're not supposed to do a visa on arrival on the river but I think we could push the issue if we want - it's not that Cambodia doesn't allow it but that the river cruise company would prefer not to have to do it for everyone, I think]
Jul 27, 2019, 1:24 pm
#1629
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,164
My husband and I are arriving SGN on October 23 and exiting via HAN on November 4. I have a multiple entry visa that expires on Nov 14. I think I am ok. I am thinking about applying evisa for my husband. From the posts from the last 12 months, it appears that at SGN we should proceed directly to immigration line. Maybe my husband get sends to the VOA line or maybe not. Do I have correct assessments of my situation?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
Jul 28, 2019, 7:34 pm
#1630
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
My husband and I are arriving SGN on October 23 and exiting via HAN on November 4. I have a multiple entry visa that expires on Nov 14. I think I am ok. I am thinking about applying evisa for my husband. From the posts from the last 12 months, it appears that at SGN we should proceed directly to immigration line. Maybe my husband get sends to the VOA line or maybe not. Do I have correct assessments of my situation?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
You should go straight to immigration line - correct.
Might be sent to VOA counter - also correct, but with thousands using that service and only two reports of it being required here, and those are fairly old, seems as if that was a temporary anomaly and I doubt that would be the case.
Paypal - I don't know about this.
Jul 28, 2019, 10:33 pm
#1631
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO/TPA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 199
My husband and I are arriving SGN on October 23 and exiting via HAN on November 4. I have a multiple entry visa that expires on Nov 14. I think I am ok. I am thinking about applying evisa for my husband. From the posts from the last 12 months, it appears that at SGN we should proceed directly to immigration line. Maybe my husband get sends to the VOA line or maybe not. Do I have correct assessments of my situation?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
Read in one of the old posts about signing up for paypal. Is it possible to pay for evisa with a credit card?
The evisa application will take you to the Payoo payment page where you can use your credit card to make your payment via Payoo. It’s like PayPal, worked fine. https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en...i-thuc-dien-tu
Jul 29, 2019, 7:26 am
#1632
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,164
Thank you.
Jul 29, 2019, 8:35 pm
#1633
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Has anyone had a VOA which starts on a specific date and arrived the day before? If I want to move up the flight by one day, am I going to have to reapply?
Aug 22, 2019, 5:39 pm
#1634
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,187
Is there a government website where I can apply for the Visa on arrival online? Or are the private companies that efficient too? Do they need a confirmed ticket to apply for Visa on Arrival?
Aug 22, 2019, 6:11 pm
#1635
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
The govt doesn't issue the VOA invitation letters, it's private. Govt issues the evisa and actual visas if you choose that route. There's a list in the wiki for this thread of some common travel agents for VOA letters that FTers have used. There are some unheard of ones if you just google, but if you use the ones in the list should be good. I've used the hotels one many times. No ticket needed, you can get the VOA invitation letter before you even look at tickets if you want.