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
Apr 26, 2019, 9:57 am
#1606
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
Notably, the visa application requires the applicant to state his or her religion. This will strike some Americans as unusual and perhaps objectionable. Though I didn't want to answer, I did anyway. The question and answer did not appear on the visa as issued.
I found it so unnoteworthy that i don't even recall the question on my recent evisa application, but I guess it was asked.
Last edited by tangey; Apr 26, 2019 at 10:10 am
Apr 26, 2019, 1:35 pm
#1607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
You're incorrect - it's 15 days visa FREE for Scandinavians. One just walks up the booth with the passport in hand and that's it, passport gets stamped with leave to stay for 15 days. The officer probably will want to see a copy of your onward/return ticket. Different from VOA.
Apr 26, 2019, 2:40 pm
#1608
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
You're incorrect - it's 15 days visa FREE for Scandinavians. One just walks up the booth with the passport in hand and that's it, passport gets stamped with leave to stay for 15 days. The officer probably will want to see a copy of your onward/return ticket. Different from VOA.
Apr 27, 2019, 1:45 am
#1609
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
Sorry, my bad 
May 2, 2019, 10:28 pm
#1611
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
May 10, 2019, 5:14 am
#1612
Join Date: May 2013
Location: AVL
Programs: DL 2MM, Plat; Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 214
The validity date on the visa is for purposes of determining length of validity. In the case of an e-Visa this is 30 days from the September 1 date. So there is no problem in entering after the 9/1 date.
May 29, 2019, 11:23 pm
#1613
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 205
Can't seem to access the evisa website. Any workarounds? I travel in 2 weeks.
May 30, 2019, 4:10 am
#1614
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
May 30, 2019, 10:47 am
#1615
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
I've read through ~2 years of this thread (don't want to go too far back as options have been changing....) I think I can do an evisa for original entry & then visa-free transit for "2nd visit" but want to get input:
1. We are US passport holders
2. We are flying to SGN from ICN on Vietnam Airlines
3. Then we're taking a river cruise/vacation that ends in Siem Reap
4. Flight leaves REP-HAN, then HAN-ICN, again on Vietnam Airlines.
So - first question, is Vietnam Airlines considered LCC that would be excluded from allowing visa-free transit at HAN? If not, do you think that's a good option? Our layover is just under 4 hours so we're not doing anything other than waiting in the airport....
If this isn't an acceptable option, guess we could try a 2nd evisa (we should have internet in our hotels in Vietnam) Or avoid any confusion at all but spend more money to get a multiple entry visa from the consulate...(or VOA since I guess that would still be cheaper than the consulate visa?)
1. We are US passport holders
2. We are flying to SGN from ICN on Vietnam Airlines
3. Then we're taking a river cruise/vacation that ends in Siem Reap
4. Flight leaves REP-HAN, then HAN-ICN, again on Vietnam Airlines.
So - first question, is Vietnam Airlines considered LCC that would be excluded from allowing visa-free transit at HAN? If not, do you think that's a good option? Our layover is just under 4 hours so we're not doing anything other than waiting in the airport....
If this isn't an acceptable option, guess we could try a 2nd evisa (we should have internet in our hotels in Vietnam) Or avoid any confusion at all but spend more money to get a multiple entry visa from the consulate...(or VOA since I guess that would still be cheaper than the consulate visa?)
May 30, 2019, 1:46 pm
#1616
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
I've read through ~2 years of this thread (don't want to go too far back as options have been changing....) I think I can do an evisa for original entry & then visa-free transit for "2nd visit" but want to get input:
1. We are US passport holders
2. We are flying to SGN from ICN on Vietnam Airlines
3. Then we're taking a river cruise/vacation that ends in Siem Reap
4. Flight leaves REP-HAN, then HAN-ICN, again on Vietnam Airlines.
So - first question, is Vietnam Airlines considered LCC that would be excluded from allowing visa-free transit at HAN? If not, do you think that's a good option? Our layover is just under 4 hours so we're not doing anything other than waiting in the airport....
If this isn't an acceptable option, guess we could try a 2nd evisa (we should have internet in our hotels in Vietnam) Or avoid any confusion at all but spend more money to get a multiple entry visa from the consulate...(or VOA since I guess that would still be cheaper than the consulate visa?)
1. We are US passport holders
2. We are flying to SGN from ICN on Vietnam Airlines
3. Then we're taking a river cruise/vacation that ends in Siem Reap
4. Flight leaves REP-HAN, then HAN-ICN, again on Vietnam Airlines.
So - first question, is Vietnam Airlines considered LCC that would be excluded from allowing visa-free transit at HAN? If not, do you think that's a good option? Our layover is just under 4 hours so we're not doing anything other than waiting in the airport....
If this isn't an acceptable option, guess we could try a 2nd evisa (we should have internet in our hotels in Vietnam) Or avoid any confusion at all but spend more money to get a multiple entry visa from the consulate...(or VOA since I guess that would still be cheaper than the consulate visa?)
Consulate is usually more expensive, but if you live near one it's an option. VOA multiple entry would work as you mention, but it's not necessary in your case - the transit without visa will be fine.
May 30, 2019, 7:43 pm
#1617
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,193
May 31, 2019, 5:51 am
#1618
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
So #4 is just a transit. In that case you will be fine with VN, they are not a LCC, and you do not need a second visa. REP staff might take a few extra minutes to deal with, but shouldn't have trouble in HAN. If you are still worried, a 2nd evisa would work as per recent reports in this thread, or a VOA letter (which wouldn't have to be used to get an actual visa) could be secured for less than $10.
Consulate is usually more expensive, but if you live near one it's an option. VOA multiple entry would work as you mention, but it's not necessary in your case - the transit without visa will be fine.
Consulate is usually more expensive, but if you live near one it's an option. VOA multiple entry would work as you mention, but it's not necessary in your case - the transit without visa will be fine.
Jun 6, 2019, 4:31 pm
#1619
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 455
So #4 is just a transit. In that case you will be fine with VN, they are not a LCC, and you do not need a second visa. REP staff might take a few extra minutes to deal with, but shouldn't have trouble in HAN. If you are still worried, a 2nd evisa would work as per recent reports in this thread, or a VOA letter (which wouldn't have to be used to get an actual visa) could be secured for less than $10.
Consulate is usually more expensive, but if you live near one it's an option. VOA multiple entry would work as you mention, but it's not necessary in your case - the transit without visa will be fine.
Consulate is usually more expensive, but if you live near one it's an option. VOA multiple entry would work as you mention, but it's not necessary in your case - the transit without visa will be fine.
Do it thru the Consulate.
Jun 6, 2019, 4:51 pm
#1620
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 455
SGN Arrival Immigration
A picture tells a thousand words.
Here is the photo I took last month after passing thru immigration:
1. In the center, these two agents are the SKY PRIORITY lane (and diplomats and crew). Thank you Sky Team.
In 6 arrivals to SGN in the last 2 years, I have been thru immigration in less than 10 minutes upon getting off plane.
2. On the Left is non everyone else, including Vietnamese and everyone else. I estimated that this line was 30 yo 50 minutes on this evening.
3. On the right AND back center are all the folks with VOA. That line is at least 40 to 60 minutes. Then, after you get your stupid VOA, you must get on long line on the left!
See photo in next post below
Last edited by wxman22; Jun 6, 2019 at 5:04 pm Reason: typo