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
Nov 4, 2014, 7:05 am
#496
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: BOS, PVD
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Pt, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 96
I'd edit the wikipost, but it appears locked to me.
I used Hotels-in-Vietnam.com which according to email records is who we used in 2011. They worked fine back then and things were even easier this time (their UI on the website is better than I recall). All submitted in about 10 minutes it took to type in. We'll hopefully hear back before end of week that all is well. We wind up saving about $300 for our group of 7.
The $100 fee here in the US sure is suspicious, there are notes on some message boards that it is the local consulates collecting more than they should, and some acknowledgement by the US govt that all is not right...
I used Hotels-in-Vietnam.com which according to email records is who we used in 2011. They worked fine back then and things were even easier this time (their UI on the website is better than I recall). All submitted in about 10 minutes it took to type in. We'll hopefully hear back before end of week that all is well. We wind up saving about $300 for our group of 7.
The $100 fee here in the US sure is suspicious, there are notes on some message boards that it is the local consulates collecting more than they should, and some acknowledgement by the US govt that all is not right...
Nov 4, 2014, 10:08 am
#497
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 385
Not sure everyone is on the same page here. Rachel are you asking about getting the visa at the consulate in person versus at the consulate online? I think moondog and some of us might be thinking when you mention "online" that you're talking about VOA, since it is always required to get an invitation letter online first. Although I hate to put words in his mouth, I think that's why it repeats.
I did mine in the past at the consulate in NYC when I needed one for work. It was more hassle than the VOA to be honest. They got the date wrong and I had to go back 3 times cuz each time it was supposed to be ready and it wasn't. But that was a few years ago.
One possible advantage is if you're staying long, which I doubt you are, if you get a 3 month at a consulate there are rumors you could extend for $10 only when you're here. I highly doubt this applies to you.
I did mine in the past at the consulate in NYC when I needed one for work. It was more hassle than the VOA to be honest. They got the date wrong and I had to go back 3 times cuz each time it was supposed to be ready and it wasn't. But that was a few years ago.
One possible advantage is if you're staying long, which I doubt you are, if you get a 3 month at a consulate there are rumors you could extend for $10 only when you're here. I highly doubt this applies to you.
. I think it's my New Yorker "in line v. on line" speak that was confusing people (surprisingly I interchange the two and never stick to one). Seems like I should process my visa via the consulate on the internet, not in-person. Thank you for your help!
Nov 4, 2014, 12:56 pm
#498
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
My one cautionary tale with this is a friend who lost his passport in the mail years ago. So be sure to use a provider you trust, make copies before sending in, etc. When I was living in NJ I often took the train into the city for this reason, even though it was a bit of a hassle. I felt like if I gave it directly to the consulate, it saved me worrying about that. But I think many many people have success online, probably overkill on my part.
Nov 4, 2014, 1:44 pm
#499
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
You dont have to send you passport to the consulate any longer. When I was on the phone finding out that they charge $100 per visa, they also told me that we only needed to send in a copy of our passport and we would get a "looseleaf" visa that we could then staple in our passports ourselves.
As I said, we went VOA to cut the price in half.
As I said, we went VOA to cut the price in half.
My one cautionary tale with this is a friend who lost his passport in the mail years ago. So be sure to use a provider you trust, make copies before sending in, etc. When I was living in NJ I often took the train into the city for this reason, even though it was a bit of a hassle. I felt like if I gave it directly to the consulate, it saved me worrying about that. But I think many many people have success online, probably overkill on my part.
Nov 5, 2014, 12:34 am
#500
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
You dont have to send you passport to the consulate any longer. When I was on the phone finding out that they charge $100 per visa, they also told me that we only needed to send in a copy of our passport and we would get a "looseleaf" visa that we could then staple in our passports ourselves.
As I said, we went VOA to cut the price in half.
As I said, we went VOA to cut the price in half.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:32 am
#501
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
To repeat what many people have been saying.
If you are arriving by air, VOA is by far the better option.
If you are arriving by air, VOA is by far the better option.
Nov 5, 2014, 11:37 am
#502
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
As noted, I used Hotels-in-Vietnam.com and submitted request on Nov 3. Got email last night with approval letter etc. So just a bit over 24 hours for standard processing.
Dec 1, 2014, 8:54 pm
#503
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: West LA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 957
I have exactly one full empty page left in my US passport. This shouldn't be a problem, as this is the requirement, correct? I have a few half pages, so I'll make sure the agents at SIN do not stamp the last page.
Dec 2, 2014, 12:21 am
#504
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Admittedly been a few years for me, but worth considering if you're in SGN or SIN long enough to swing by.
Dec 2, 2014, 9:22 am
#505
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Technically ok. Never experienced myself, maybe someone else will comment. What I was gonna add though is that in my experience a few years ago, it's cheaper to add pages at an embassy (consulate allowed? not sure) than to do it at home in the US. You can get multiple sets of new pages for the price of one as well.
Admittedly been a few years for me, but worth considering if you're in SGN or SIN long enough to swing by.
Admittedly been a few years for me, but worth considering if you're in SGN or SIN long enough to swing by.
Dec 2, 2014, 9:38 am
#506
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: West LA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 957
Technically ok. Never experienced myself, maybe someone else will comment. What I was gonna add though is that in my experience a few years ago, it's cheaper to add pages at an embassy (consulate allowed? not sure) than to do it at home in the US. You can get multiple sets of new pages for the price of one as well.
Admittedly been a few years for me, but worth considering if you're in SGN or SIN long enough to swing by.
Admittedly been a few years for me, but worth considering if you're in SGN or SIN long enough to swing by.
Dec 2, 2014, 11:33 am
#507
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
They have an appointment scheduling system online now. I'm not sure if some of the less busy consulates actually use it, but it's a standard thing across the board. Google and you shall find.
Dec 7, 2014, 7:01 pm
#509
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: West LA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 957
Dec 7, 2014, 8:44 pm
#510
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Yes, it's normal.