Hello All - I am about to go travelling Asia for an extended amount of time with no set dates for arrival in Vietnam but it is on my list of places to visit. Because of this, I thought VOA (VISA on Arrival) would be best way to enter. Has anyone done VOA and if so, what was the process like? I believe a pre-approval letter is required prior to arrival, can anyone recommend a reputable agency who provides pre-approval letters for a VOA?
Link?
It doesn't say what you claim at all.
I always go to the Vietnam embassy in the city(Perth) to ask for the visa, since my flight tickets are bought online.
Have use Hotels in Vietnam for years, they are probably the cheapest, no need to send visa away like you do in Australia and I have had no issues whatsoever on arrival.
http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/vietnam/vietnam-visa.html
Plus one for this - Never had problems with them.
I used these guys last time too, all good.
Cost for 1 month single entry VOA was $14 USD, then I had to pay the 45 USD fee at Hanoi airport.
Visa collection at the airport was chaotic - passports weren't being processed in the order they were handed over which caused some frustration.
My friend and I were among the first to arrive at the counter from our flight. We gave them our passports together.. his was one of the first returned, mine was one of the last! Wouldn't have minded but the subsequent queue for immigration was massive as a load of flights had arrived in the meantime.
All good though other than the delay - would do the same in future rather than mailing my passport to get the visa.
EDIT - I also believe there was an option to get a private visa letter. I checked that on application and the letter I received just had my details on.
Went to Vietnam a couple of months back and yes correct; you do need to get a pre-approval letter from a visa agent, then you'll be able to get the VOA at the airport.
Remember to bring this letter as well as a passport sized photo.
I have used http://www.vietnamvisacorp.com/ before. Trustworthy, as I have cancelled my visa application before and got refunded no worries.
You do need to nominate the earliest arrival date, as the visa end date is set based on this. It is no problem to arrive after the date, it is just that you will have less time in the country before the visa expires.
Also if you pay a little more than the min, it is less likely the other VOA guys applying on the same day will be sent your details!
Carry USD cash for the correct amount of the visa into VN for less delay.
Davros suggestion above is good. They were no problem for me.
Any Discount Codes for hotels-in-vietnam.com?
There is noise being made to give Australia a visa free period, when I have no idea.
But last August, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Transport proposed that the central government waive tourist visa requirements for France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, India and Canada in a bid to pull in more visitors from those markets.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/travel/vietnam-continues-to-wai…
Hello Gunther,
I have done Vietnam VOA and the process was more simple than I expected. There were only 3 step:
1: Fill in the online application form given by the travel agent
2: Check your requirements and personal information again and pay online
3: Get Approval letter
As my experience, after get Approval letter online, you need to print it and Application Form out. Do not forget to prepare 2 photo (4x6). And then show all of them to Immigration Officers at Vietnam arrival airport. DONE !
Some reliable refferences:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/practical-information/vi…
http://www.bestpricevn.com/vietnam-visa/
I just read on DFAT website that Vietnam no longer does Visa on Arrival - please look into this before you leave. This is as of 1st Jan 2015…