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
May 8, 2014, 6:53 am
#436
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Thank you, aBroadAbroad, for reopening the thread and putting in all the work to start the wiki. This is now very organized and informative. The limitations on use of VOA, which I was not previously aware of, are noteworthy for the many FTers from USA, UK, France, and Australia, where embassies or consulates are certainly available.
I agree that exceptional care should be used before noting a VOA agency as recommended.
And please also post in the thread when you've had a problem with an agency or encountered extra scrutiny at the border, noting as well whether you or anyone in your party is of Vietnamese heritage, as I understand that officials are prone to hassling overseas Vietnamese.
I agree that exceptional care should be used before noting a VOA agency as recommended.
And please also post in the thread when you've had a problem with an agency or encountered extra scrutiny at the border, noting as well whether you or anyone in your party is of Vietnamese heritage, as I understand that officials are prone to hassling overseas Vietnamese.
May 8, 2014, 11:04 am
#437
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,123
I just wanted to note that I used cheapvietnamvisa.net. It was $8/person for their standard service, but they actually processed it under 8 hours.
I was completely happy with the service and everything went super smoothly at the border. This is vastly preferable and cheaper than sending it off to an embassy for who knows how long it might take to process.
Oh, and I've never once heard of the limitation on countries where embassies/consulates are ever being enforced.
I was completely happy with the service and everything went super smoothly at the border. This is vastly preferable and cheaper than sending it off to an embassy for who knows how long it might take to process.
Oh, and I've never once heard of the limitation on countries where embassies/consulates are ever being enforced.
May 8, 2014, 12:18 pm
#438
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Visa-in-advance experience
I have a trip to Vietnam coming up, and with a Vietnamese consulate located in nearby San Francisco, I decided to get my visa in advance. There is a dearth of up-to-date information about this on the Internet -- it seems that almost everybody in the U.S. chooses the VOA process -- so I thought I would relate my experience here.
The visa-in-advance process is actually fairly simple: I filled out the application form online, printed it out, and submitted it (along with my passport, a passport photo, and US$100 cash) at the Vietnamese embassy in SF. I left my passport on Friday, May 2nd, and I was told that my visa would be ready on Wednesday, May 7th -- 3 business days later.
I could have gone back to the consulate to pick up my passport, but I chose to give them a postage-paid trackable envelope so they could mail my passport back to me. The tracking information indicated that my passport was mailed back to me yesterday (as promised) for delivery today.
A few observations:
The visa-in-advance process is actually fairly simple: I filled out the application form online, printed it out, and submitted it (along with my passport, a passport photo, and US$100 cash) at the Vietnamese embassy in SF. I left my passport on Friday, May 2nd, and I was told that my visa would be ready on Wednesday, May 7th -- 3 business days later.
I could have gone back to the consulate to pick up my passport, but I chose to give them a postage-paid trackable envelope so they could mail my passport back to me. The tracking information indicated that my passport was mailed back to me yesterday (as promised) for delivery today.
A few observations:
- I called the Vietnamese consulate in SF in advance to confirm their current opening hours (8:30am to 12noon and 2:30pm to 4pm) and the cost (US$100) for a single-entry visa.
- When I arrived at the consulate just after 2:30pm, there were 4 people ahead of me in line. The first person in line paid an extra US$30 to expedite the visa and was told that he would have his passport and visa back that same afternoon, so he chose to wait for it.
- The Vietnam visa Web site implies that you have to fill out the form online and print it out, but one of the people in line requested a visa application form and filled it out at the embassy office.
- You can check online the status of an online visa application, but be sure to write down both the Application ID as well as the Application Code that is displayed upon submission. I didn't write down the Application Code (I thought it would show when the form was printed, but it didn't) so I was unable to check the status of my visa application online.
May 8, 2014, 4:21 pm
#439
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
It only applies if there is no other urgent reason why you want to use VOA. The reason for requesting VOA is not asked anywhere on the application and the VN authorities never ask for it. I think 95%+ of travelers use the VOA process even where there is a an embassy/consulate in their country.
May 13, 2014, 11:43 am
#440
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,123
The visa-in-advance process is actually fairly simple: I filled out the application form online, printed it out, and submitted it (along with my passport, a passport photo, and US$100 cash) at the Vietnamese embassy in SF. I left my passport on Friday, May 2nd, and I was told that my visa would be ready on Wednesday, May 7th -- 3 business days later.
May 13, 2014, 12:38 pm
#441
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I once flew to NYC to get my Brazil visa at the embassy there, where I could get next-day service. The Brazil embassy in SF had just begun to require reservations for visa applications, and there were no available appointment dates until after my planned return date!
May 13, 2014, 10:58 pm
#442
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Hadn't been to this thread in awhile, but finished another visit to VN last week so I dropped by. I wanted to add, after reading some of the recent comments, that not all providers list your info with others on the approval letter, if that sort of thing bothers you.
Also, the delays seem to be much more for those who don't have their paperwork in order. I had my forms filled out and was through quickly, as many others report. But there were quite a few people who had lost looks and were filling forms out, going to the counter, being told to go do more, leaving and writing, back to the counter, etc. so filling out the forms ahead of time will save you a lot of hassle.
Also, the delays seem to be much more for those who don't have their paperwork in order. I had my forms filled out and was through quickly, as many others report. But there were quite a few people who had lost looks and were filling forms out, going to the counter, being told to go do more, leaving and writing, back to the counter, etc. so filling out the forms ahead of time will save you a lot of hassle.
May 22, 2014, 1:45 am
#443
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Venice, Italy
Posts: 5
Thanks aBroadAbroad, for reopening the thread and putting in all the work to start the wiki.
To whom may concern: VOA is quiet easy and legit. It is fast and much more convenient then Embassy Visa.
To whom may concern: VOA is quiet easy and legit. It is fast and much more convenient then Embassy Visa.
May 29, 2014, 5:21 am
#444
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Report on results
I tried to apply through myvietnamvisa.com twice, using both IExplorer and Chrome. Got to the page where I entered all pertinent info and clicked on the button for "proceed to payment" but the website wouldn't proceed.
So I went with www.vietnamvisacorp.com, thanks to this thread. Worked just fine. And was 10% cheaper than myvietnamvisa anyway.
So I went with www.vietnamvisacorp.com, thanks to this thread. Worked just fine. And was 10% cheaper than myvietnamvisa anyway.
Bottom line: no problems using the vietnamvisacorp service. My partner, who was born in Vietnam but now holds US citizenship, was not hassled or shaken down at all, as overseas Vietnamese sometimes can be when arriving at Ton San Nhut.
Bags were already on the carousel when we finally got there. Then it was a chaotic crush to get through the Customs screening, and out we went.
May 29, 2014, 6:27 am
#445
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Jun 3, 2014, 12:12 pm
#446
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: AVL
Programs: DL DM MM; Hilton Diamond; Hertz 5*
Posts: 706
6 month passport rule
I'm a US citizen traveling on a US passport. I plan to visit VN later this year - tourist visit for about 5 days. My passport will expire a little more than 5 months after my return from VN.
The VN embassy website says my passport must be valid for one month beyond my visit. However, the airlines seem to require 6 months.
I'd like to avoid getting the passport renewed prematurely - but also don't want to be denied entry.
Can anyone point me toward the right answer?
The VN embassy website says my passport must be valid for one month beyond my visit. However, the airlines seem to require 6 months.
I'd like to avoid getting the passport renewed prematurely - but also don't want to be denied entry.
Can anyone point me toward the right answer?
Jun 3, 2014, 1:33 pm
#447
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Adelphi, MD
Programs: Korean Air Skypass, ANA Skyweb, Amex Premier Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred
Posts: 745
Vietnam Visa On Arrival (VOA) and Regular Visa in Advance
It won't be a problem for the country of Vietnam admitting you but the airline is worried they will have to pay to fly u back if you can't get in. There is no problem in the return flight because everyone wants you to leave
Jun 4, 2014, 3:25 am
#448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jun 7, 2014, 4:21 pm
#449
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Just as a data point, I went through VOA in SGN recently. Not crowded but it took 19 minutes, which seemed a little longer than usual. Immigration after getting the visa was about 7 minutes.
Jun 12, 2014, 10:24 am
#450
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,410
VN Embassy in Washington DC
It's a bit disconcerting to send in passports with visa applications to the Vietnam embassy in Washington, DC and have FedEx report that the package has been delivered at 8:36 am as follows:
Left at front door. Package delivered to recipient address - release authorized
I'll know early next week if there's an issue because they were given a return FedEx envelope to send them back to us (and I'll be alerted by the tracking information (or lack thereof.))
Left at front door. Package delivered to recipient address - release authorized
I'll know early next week if there's an issue because they were given a return FedEx envelope to send them back to us (and I'll be alerted by the tracking information (or lack thereof.))