Visa For Viet Nam

[jdean]

What is the best way to get a visa for Viet Nam without leaving Phuket? This is assuming the direct flights from here by Air Asia are not canceled as someone suggests.

[PhilHarries]

You can do it on-line and the process from submitting your application to receiving the letter of invitation takes two days. Submit your app, next day they tell you okay wire them the fee, next day they e mail you your letter. Print it out, I always suggest two copies, and travel to VN. Go to the visa counter at the airport with a pp sized photo, fill out a form, pay the visa fee and proceed through immigration.

There are several web sites just Google Vietnam visa and pick one out.

[LivinginKata]

Last month I used vietnamvisa.com, made the application paid about 1,200 baht by credit card, got the letter 3 days later. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh presented the letter, paid about US$ 25 fee, no problem. I would caution that I had to wait about one hour for the visa to be processed. Given that the Air Asia flight arrives about 22.00 then you won't arrive your city hotel until nearly mid-night. Can't complain as the Air Asia flight was so cheap. I really hope this flight has not been canceled ...

[NamKangMan]

Last month I used vietnamvisa.com, made the application paid about 1,200 baht by credit card, got the letter 3 days later. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh presented the letter, paid about US$ 25 fee, no problem. I would caution that I had to wait about one hour for the visa to be processed. Given that the Air Asia flight arrives about 22.00 then you won't arrive your city hotel until nearly mid-night. Can't complain as the Air Asia flight was so cheap. I really hope this flight has not been canceled ...

I used the same method. I was really suspicious about it, so, I did a lot of research, but, strangely enough, it works.

I put on a post about this Airasia route a while ago. A check of the Airasia website 2 days ago reveals you can book this flight up until December 2010 (just a random future date I picked) however, a few weeks ago, you could only book this flight up until May. I then spoke to a travel agent who confirmed that Airasia was cancelling the route. However, it appears to be a regular route, as per their website.

I hope this route stays as well.

[LivinLOS]

Having just done 3 weeks dirtbiking from HCMC to Hanoi I can say, its a great place to explore..

But one bit of info.. I did the pre applied 25 USD visa thing, and someone told me that there were ATMS's airside to get VND to pay with.. There are not, so you dont have access to any money changing, or local currency, to get that 25 USD you need to clear customs. Take the USD or Dong.

[pete600]

Having just done 3 weeks dirtbiking from HCMC to Hanoi I can say, its a great place to explore..

But one bit of info.. I did the pre applied 25 USD visa thing, and someone told me that there were ATMS's airside to get VND to pay with.. There are not, so you dont have access to any money changing, or local currency, to get that 25 USD you need to clear customs. Take the USD or Dong.

3 weeks dirt biking that sounds like fun any chance of some pics and the routes you when may be start a new thread.

Back on Topic when i went a few weeks ago there where a few Paying with Thai Baht (฿1'000). There was a woman there with no Money looking for a ATM. The Girl in the office got security to take her Photo. Then though immigration to a ATM then brought her back in to pay for the Visa.

[LivinLOS]

3 weeks dirt biking that sounds like fun any chance of some pics and the routes you when may be start a new thread.

Back on Topic when i went a few weeks ago there where a few Paying with Thai Baht (฿1'000). There was a woman there with no Money looking for a ATM. The Girl in the office got security to take her Photo. Then though immigration to a ATM then brought her back in to pay for the Visa.

Yeah they let one of our group through to the ATM outside.

If you go to GT-Rider (I dont think linking to forums is allowed) the vietnam trip reports section has a large trip report.. 100's of pics.. GPS tracklogs.. Google earth routes.. Etc..

We had the bikes 14 days, plus 3 days each end for HCMC and Hanoi.

[jdean]

Thanks everyone for confirming the validity of use of the viet nam visa website. I saw some information that it was a scam and am relieved to know that I can use it. Also for the good advice to take some dollars with you to make things easier

[pete600]

Thanks everyone for confirming the validity of use of the viet nam visa website. I saw some information that it was a scam and am relieved to know that I can use it. Also for the good advice to take some dollars with you to make things easier

If you can't get any Dong before you go try to get some small $ notes. Handy if your getting a taxi from the airport. Cost me $7 from the airport to Dist 1

[thaibutty]

I have also done the online visa application before, however would not do so again, even though it worked fine. Reason is that it really takes long to get the visa issued in Vietnam, which really annoyed me. If you are doing it, with online application, make sure that you are having the 25 US$, otherwise if you are paying in Dong, you will be charged the double price.

A more convenient way, at least for me, is to give it to my travel agency in Phuket town, they will send my passport to Bangkok and I get the passport with visa back within a few days. Cost is the same, as online application, but you can just walk past immigration at the HCMC or Hanoi airport and safe a lot of time there.

I use Sea Tours in Phuket town, which can also arrange any kind of flights(except for Budget airlines)

Phone number: 076230066

[LivinLOS]

With the Air Asia flight coming in past 11 pm.. To an empty airport..

Those that had cash only had to wait a few minutes.. Could see how it could take ages if the airport was busy tho..

I thought the other option was to go to bangkok, didnt know it could be done by travel agents for the same 20 or so USD I paid.