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
Oct 16, 2017, 10:29 am
#1382
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
When arriving in Hanoi, you will not find any Cebu Pacific staff in the transfer area I think, as Cebu Pacific does not handle many transfers outside of the Phils. Assuming HAN is like SGN - I don't go through HAN often at all - you will need to find some general staff or Vietnam Airlines staff in that transfer area and convince them to go get your tickets from Cebu Pacific or to send down Cebu Pacific staff. They might even take your passports and go get the tickets for you. Without checked baggage, it might not be too tough at all, just ask for their help.
There were some posts of the Qatar Airways error fare people who did this recently, in this thread or another maybe, so browse back a bit or do a bit more research if you want to read exactly how it went for them.
Oct 17, 2017, 1:44 am
#1383
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
My recent times still bad. Data points (SGN):
29/9/17 15:30 arrival: 90 minute wait (2 mates, Economy)
30/9/17 11:30 arrival: 30 minute wait (myself, Premium Economy)
Is it this one http://www.approval-letter.com/form-on-arrival.pdf ? I didn't print and fill it out in advance but I grabbed a copy and filled it out while queuing - I don't think I filled in an updated form.
29/9/17 15:30 arrival: 90 minute wait (2 mates, Economy)
30/9/17 11:30 arrival: 30 minute wait (myself, Premium Economy)
Is it this one http://www.approval-letter.com/form-on-arrival.pdf ? I didn't print and fill it out in advance but I grabbed a copy and filled it out while queuing - I don't think I filled in an updated form.
I was through in about 10 minutes. I would have been through in 5 but I filled out the old form and a bit of queue formed while I was filling in the new form.
The PDF in your post is the new one.
Oct 17, 2017, 2:23 am
#1384
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,774
It's from 2015 (I checked PDF timestamp)
Oct 17, 2017, 4:39 am
#1385
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Oct 17, 2017, 4:43 am
#1386
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,774
Oct 17, 2017, 6:25 am
#1387
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Oh okay. YMMV. The weekend we visited was a PRC/HK/AU long weekend so SGN was busy.
Oct 20, 2017, 1:54 pm
#1388
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 8
When checking in for the first leg, the issue will be if you have a visa or if not, will they let you board. For this reason you should have all the info you have received printed, as Percy suggested, and know that Timatic says you are ok. You might have to gently explain things a few times since Vietjet is mostly point to point flying and doesn't have many int'l transfers.
When arriving in Hanoi, you will not find any Cebu Pacific staff in the transfer area I think, as Cebu Pacific does not handle many transfers outside of the Phils. Assuming HAN is like SGN - I don't go through HAN often at all - you will need to find some general staff or Vietnam Airlines staff in that transfer area and convince them to go get your tickets from Cebu Pacific or to send down Cebu Pacific staff. They might even take your passports and go get the tickets for you. Without checked baggage, it might not be too tough at all, just ask for their help.
There were some posts of the Qatar Airways error fare people who did this recently, in this thread or another maybe, so browse back a bit or do a bit more research if you want to read exactly how it went for them.
When arriving in Hanoi, you will not find any Cebu Pacific staff in the transfer area I think, as Cebu Pacific does not handle many transfers outside of the Phils. Assuming HAN is like SGN - I don't go through HAN often at all - you will need to find some general staff or Vietnam Airlines staff in that transfer area and convince them to go get your tickets from Cebu Pacific or to send down Cebu Pacific staff. They might even take your passports and go get the tickets for you. Without checked baggage, it might not be too tough at all, just ask for their help.
There were some posts of the Qatar Airways error fare people who did this recently, in this thread or another maybe, so browse back a bit or do a bit more research if you want to read exactly how it went for them.
I appreciate your detailed response. Since info about transfers with multiple airlines is pretty limited, I wanted to provide a DP for others who will run into a similar situation.
Full disclosure, we all decided to get expedited Vietnam visas from a travel agency in Siem Reap to be on the safe side. They charged us $70 each for same day delivery (drop off by 11 am and pick up by 6 pm). The only scary part was we had to leave our passports with them, but thankfully it all worked out.
So like you said, the hardest part would be obtaining the boarding pass from Vietjet without a visa. She did make sure we had visas in our passports and I asked if it was necessary to have this visa if we had a connecting flight with a different airline, which she said yes unless it is with the same airline. Now this could be very subjective depending on who you get at the counter, but having the visa removed any potential issues that could have happened.
The next issue are delays. We had a scheduled 3hour layover, however our flight was delayed 2:30! Luckily we had an awesome flight attendant who asked the pilot to speed up the take off process, and we were basically in the air before they could finish the safety demos. We arrrived at HAN with about an hour to spare before the next flight and ran our asses off to the transfer desk only to find out they were “closed” with the workers sleeping in the back!
We made the decision that it would be quicker to go thru customs, get our boarding passes and go thru security. Luckily we made it to the gate with about 15 mins to take off.
TLDR; The moral of the story is the get the cheap $25 evisa before you decide to transfer in Vietnam for peace of mind. We could have easily had to have spent half a day there and paid some exorbitant amount on new tickets to get to our destination.
Last edited by Coronadeluxxx; Oct 20, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Oct 23, 2017, 3:54 pm
#1389
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 56
Leaning toward getting eVisa from Vietnam gov web site over the VOA(given by tour company for free) just save the hassle of waiting a long time when landed in Hanoi(staying a week).
Thinking of flying from Siem Reap to Hanoi on Vietjet.
Any previous eVisa applicant have success with Vietjet flying to Hanoi?
Should I still get the VOA from tour company as a back up?
Just to be cautious here in case airline staff does not know the Visa rule.
Since I'll traveling in March 2018, can I apply for eVisa now at Vietnam Gov site? Or am I too early?
thanks.
Thinking of flying from Siem Reap to Hanoi on Vietjet.
Any previous eVisa applicant have success with Vietjet flying to Hanoi?
Should I still get the VOA from tour company as a back up?
Just to be cautious here in case airline staff does not know the Visa rule.
Since I'll traveling in March 2018, can I apply for eVisa now at Vietnam Gov site? Or am I too early?
thanks.
Oct 25, 2017, 9:43 am
#1390
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,774
[FARE GONE]QR Business (R) SGN-Various USA/EU/South America from $553 USD RT
I attempted to check in online with QR but was unsuccessful (see an agent). After a lot of online searching previously, and staying current with this thread, felt reasonably comfortable I could easily obtain boarding passes at the SGN transit desk. Well, I arrived in SGN on Air Asia with 3+ hours of transit time before the QR departure. At the transfer desk, I asked to obtain boarding passes on QR, and was asked for my passport, ticket confirmation, and boarding pass of my inbound flight. The agent informed me that discount carriers do not have agreements with the major carriers and so I had to clear immigration and go to the main counter to obtain my boarding pass. That sounded odd but another staff member confirmed that. Fortunately, they contacted Air Asia and the manager came to me and said indeed, Air Asia does not provide this service, but he would contact QR to see if they would issue me boarding passes nonetheless. 10 minutes later, I got them, and was informed that I really should have a visa.
Apparently, major carriers handle transits but discount carriers do not. I found three websites that all indicated transit visas are not required if you have an onward ticket, don't leave the transit area, and depart within 24 hours. What they don't say is that only applies to major carriers and not discount airlines.
Apparently, major carriers handle transits but discount carriers do not. I found three websites that all indicated transit visas are not required if you have an onward ticket, don't leave the transit area, and depart within 24 hours. What they don't say is that only applies to major carriers and not discount airlines.
Nov 5, 2017, 9:26 pm
#1391
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Slightly off topic, but a perfect example of how not to arrive and get a visa the other day in front of me. In the VOA queue area at SGN, a younger gentleman had arrived just before me. He was talking with a translator quite loudly, and many of us overheard his issue. He made 3 big errors. 1 - he arrived on a passport that does not allow the 15 day visit, and without a letter for VOA, or without a visa. 2 - He then made the error of stating he was here for work. Although he clarified that later saying just for a job interview, saying he was here to work made the immigration officers unhappy. 3 - He further compounded it because when they asked how long he would stay, he said he might stay forever if he got the job.
I think if he would have been calm and gave smart answers (here to see the city, meet some friends; I will go home and apply for a work visa if I like it here) instead of having some attitude and giving poor answers, he would have been able to enter for a large fee and have his job interview. Instead, he got angry and edgy with the questions and was sent home, as he was taken to the VN transfer counter and then ushered upstairs to departures.
I think if he would have been calm and gave smart answers (here to see the city, meet some friends; I will go home and apply for a work visa if I like it here) instead of having some attitude and giving poor answers, he would have been able to enter for a large fee and have his job interview. Instead, he got angry and edgy with the questions and was sent home, as he was taken to the VN transfer counter and then ushered upstairs to departures.
Nov 7, 2017, 1:33 pm
#1392
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Just to give you all my experience, used  www.myvietnamvisapro.com for the 3rd time and they have come back very quickly and I've never had any issues. I highly recommend them.
Nov 7, 2017, 5:08 pm
#1393
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Just to give you all my experience, used  www.myvietnamvisapro.com for the 3rd time and they have come back very quickly and I've never had any issues. I highly recommend them.
(Are you an American citizen?)
Nov 8, 2017, 1:39 am
#1394
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Just curious - why did you choose to use this company to obtain a VOA letter (which means you had to pay for the letter and then pay for a visa when you arrived in Vietnam), when you could have simply obtained an actual visa online for less money?
(Are you an American citizen?)
(Are you an American citizen?)
Nov 8, 2017, 4:09 am
#1395
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Just curious - why did you choose to use this company to obtain a VOA letter (which means you had to pay for the letter and then pay for a visa when you arrived in Vietnam), when you could have simply obtained an actual visa online for less money?
(Are you an American citizen?)
(Are you an American citizen?)