im confused on this-cant i just turn up at the airport and get a visa?

No, absolutely not, UNLESS you have a pre-approved visa authorization letter.

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).

On arrival, you pay a $45 stamping fee and get the actual visa places in your passport.

You're only alternative is to go through a local consulate or embassy, which will surely take more time and cost more money up front. In fact, I think that option including the stamping fee is closer to $150 when I checked.

In China, this costs people from most western countries Y450 (about $80) for single entry visas.

OP said $100. It used to be around $75, so I guess it has gone up this year.

In Phnom Penh i believe the cost is $65 with same day service or, at the latest, next day pick up.

Late bump! ^^^

^^^^

Visa on arrival is not what they're talking about with the embassy. To get the full visa from the embassy, I was quoted more than $100. Visa on arrival can be quite cheap, and then one just pays the $45 stamping fee.

Was the $100 from getting it at an embassy in the US? and for a US citizen? nd was that the price the embassy quoted you?

so quotes are a bit variable...I think with all the fees I got quoted something like $125. My friend got quoted $140. Same citizenship, same embassy.

I decided VOA would be way cheaper and wouldn't require me to give my passport up for some undetermined length of time.

thanks all for help on this -cost 9$.

when i get to saigon airport do i have to pay the 45$ in $ or are dong ok?

one more question about the entry and exit form

my children are japanese citizens so dont need a visa for vietnam.
do thety need an entry and exit form(with picture?)

thanks

Not for stays of 15 days or less.

thanks-so dont need to prepare a photo or any kind of form for them?

My original plan was VOA, but since I land at midnight,I thought if its not too expensive Id rather have it already and simply get my bag and get to my hotel ASAP

In NY they want $130 for same day,actually they do it on the spot 1-2-3.Looks like its VOA for me