Vietnam Tourist Visa - why not easier?

[ronnie50]

There is a bewildering array of websites claiming to be 'official' tourist visa sites for Vietnam. Many URL's ending with 'V.......gov.vn' (how they manage to get that domain extension, who knows). But trying to do the visa yourself is equally confusing. Unlike most ASEAN countries, the Vietnam Embassy here in Bangkok (and I guess everywhere) still wants an 'invitation' letter from a Vietnamese source.

 

Anyone successfully done this themselves with the embassy here in Bangkok (without an agency) and what was your experience? How long, where did you get the invitation, etc.?

 

Cheers.

[BrandonJT]

https://evisa.gov.vn/

[BigBilly]

11 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Anyone successfully done this themselves with the embassy here in Bangkok (without an agency) and what was your experience? How long, where did you get the invitation, etc.?

 

Just use the official website.  It's not difficult to use.  No invitation needed.

 

https://evisa.gov.vn

[ronnie50]

5 hours ago, BigBilly said:

 

Just use the official website.  It's not difficult to use.  No invitation needed.

 

https://evisa.gov.vn

Thanks. But I thought only certain nationalities can apply for the  e-visa (e.g. British and EU), other nationalities need a visa from the embassy (and the stupid invitation letter - from an agency I guess), isn't that right?

[ignore it]

It is easy now.

30 years ago, not easy.

[BigBilly]

1 minute ago, ronnie50 said:

Thanks. But I thought only certain nationalities can apply for the  e-visa (e.g. British and EU), other nationalities need a visa from the embassy (and the stupid invitation letter - from an agency I guess), isn't that right?

As far as I know, most can get an evisa.  I'm American and got an evisa recently.

 

There are some nationalities that are visa exempt now.  Maybe thats what you are thinking of.