Visa on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City.

[Mason45]

Hi all,

I'm an Australian who resides in Bangkok, I'm off to Ho Chi Minh City next month for one week, any ideas what's required for a visa on arrival. I've Googled this but some results appear different to others. In a nut shell do I just get off the plane, submit the appropriate forms with a photo and pay the fee as I do in other Asian countries. Thank you.

[pbay]

You have to apply in advance thru a specialist company for a letter and when you get off the plane you have to present that letter to immigration and hopefully they will give you a visa. There are lots of companies on the Internet selling this service, it is pretty cheap but the Vietnamese government frown on it so they could not accept it if they wanted to.They prefer you to get a visa at their embassy. I have not heard of anyone having a problem getting a visa on arrival with a letter as of yet.The company wil charge you about $20.00 US for the letter and then when you arrive at the airport you will be asked to pay more money, about $45 US dollar, stamping fee.

http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/

Edited March 22, 2015 by pbay

[JMWPACIFIC]

You have to apply in advance thru a specialist company for a letter and when you get off the plane you have to present that letter to immigration and hopefully they will give you a visa. There are lots of companies on the Internet selling this service, it is pretty cheap but the Vietnamese government frown on it so they could not accept it if they wanted to.They prefer you to get a visa at their embassy. I have not heard of anyone having a problem getting a visa on arrival with a letter as of yet.The company wil charge you about $20.00 US for the letter and then when you arrive at the airport you will be asked to pay more money, about $45 US dollar, stamping fee.

http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/

Yes, you do apply in advance as noted above however my impression is that there are many "specialists" out there but there is only one official (maybe I'm wrong) site and it is the following: www.vietnam-visa.org

It's a .org instead of a .com. I have used it many times and never a problem.

[TheAppletons]

You have to apply in advance thru a specialist company for a letter and when you get off the plane you have to present that letter to immigration and hopefully they will give you a visa. There are lots of companies on the Internet selling this service, it is pretty cheap but the Vietnamese government frown on it so they could not accept it if they wanted to.They prefer you to get a visa at their embassy. I have not heard of anyone having a problem getting a visa on arrival with a letter as of yet.The company wil charge you about $20.00 US for the letter and then when you arrive at the airport you will be asked to pay more money, about $45 US dollar, stamping fee.

http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/

Yes, you do apply in advance as noted above however my impression is that there are many "specialists" out there but there is only one official (maybe I'm wrong) site and it is the following: www.vietnam-visa.org

It's a .org instead of a .com. I have used it many times and never a problem.

OP, you need to obtain either:

a. a visa through the Vietnam embassy, or;

b. a letter granting permission to enter the country and obtain a visa on arrival.

The letter is typically done through an online travel agent - one of which is mentioned above. (No, it's not an official site.) Pay online, you'll receive the letter via email in 2-3 days' time. The airline flying you to Vietnam will ask you to produce one of the above upon check-in; if you cannot produce, you will probably be denied boarding.

You'll also fill out a form (which you can do in advance) and provide it, the letter, photos, and either $45 US or 950,000 VND upon arrival to obtain your visa, which will take anywhere from 30-60 mins depending upon how busy and/or motivated the Vietnamese immigration staff is when you arrive.

Edited March 22, 2015 by TheAppletons

[mikebell]

I am going in November with my Thai wife. I assume she doesn't need a visa? How long does a visa for me (Brit. expat) last? Is it too soon to start the process now? Leaving from BKK.

[Upnotover]

I am going in November with my Thai wife. I assume she doesn't need a visa? How long does a visa for me (Brit. expat) last? Is it too soon to start the process now? Leaving from BKK.

Too early I'd guess. The pre-approval letter from Vietnam immigration lists the date and port of arrival on it and only takes a few days to be issued. I have only ever had 1 month single entry's so not sure if anything else is available. Thai passport holders do not need a visa I believe.