Where/when/how should I get my visa for Vietnam?
Sep 24th, 2016, 02:23 PM
#1
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Where/when/how should I get my visa for Vietnam?
I know there have been some changes to the visa costs to go to Vietnam. I'd appreciate some help navigating the requirements to get my visa if anyone could help.
I believe I should obtain the visa from one of the Vietnam embassies in the US before departure. I have read that they have different prices to get your visa - just depends on which one you use.
I also think you cannot get a visa on arrival even if you have a letter of approval and are ready to pay for a stamp when you arrive, although I have read about that being an option in the past - is this true?
Assuming the above is true, can I use any VN embassy to get the visa?
Can I mail the passports in or do I have to go in person?
If mail is OK, is there an application to fill out and if so, where do I find it?
Does anyone recommend any specific embassy as the cheapest (knowing that the price just changed and there may not be an answer to this question)
How long should I allow to get the visa processed?
Is there anything else I should be thinking about in terms of obtaining a visa?
Our passports have a few years until they expire so all good there.
Thanks for any advice!
I believe I should obtain the visa from one of the Vietnam embassies in the US before departure. I have read that they have different prices to get your visa - just depends on which one you use.
I also think you cannot get a visa on arrival even if you have a letter of approval and are ready to pay for a stamp when you arrive, although I have read about that being an option in the past - is this true?
Assuming the above is true, can I use any VN embassy to get the visa?
Can I mail the passports in or do I have to go in person?
If mail is OK, is there an application to fill out and if so, where do I find it?
Does anyone recommend any specific embassy as the cheapest (knowing that the price just changed and there may not be an answer to this question)
How long should I allow to get the visa processed?
Is there anything else I should be thinking about in terms of obtaining a visa?
Our passports have a few years until they expire so all good there.
Thanks for any advice!
Sep 24th, 2016, 06:24 PM
#2
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Why do you think you cannot get a VOA? You need to do some more reading on TA. Many threads discussing this in great detail. I will get our visas for our Feb. trip on arrival with the visa letter provided my tour company for free. My total cost will be $135 each. If the VN government rescind this policy or goes back to the one month visa then I may end up paying less.
Sep 24th, 2016, 06:32 PM
#3
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There does seem to be a lot of conflicting info but a couple of Fodors posts said there is no VOA anymore, although I looked online and saw some VOA services offered. Those same sites also said you can get 1 or 3 montb visas which I don't think is the case anymore.
What tour company are you using?
What tour company are you using?
Sep 24th, 2016, 07:18 PM
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Be aware that there has never been a true VOA for VN - the visa has always had to be pre-arranged. But the travel agency websites call it a VOA. There have also been some problems with "fake" agencies issuing visa letters that are not valid. So while getting the prearranged visa makes good sense, do so carefully. There have been posts here (and I'm sure on TA) giving information on what websites to use to get the pre-approval letter. And, like you, I'd consider sites that tell you they can get you a 3 or 6 month visa to be suspect.
If you opt to use a local VN agency to make some of your arrangements like hotel or car and driver, etc, they should issue you a letter at a good price.
If you opt to use a local VN agency to make some of your arrangements like hotel or car and driver, etc, they should issue you a letter at a good price.
Sep 25th, 2016, 12:30 AM
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If you use...
http://www.vietnamvisapro.net/
...you will pay online $40 for the Visa Authority Letter(VAL), and on arrival $135 for the Visa. For an explanation look just below the main table of fees on the link at the few lines in red.
There's no sense in sending your passport through the post to a Vietnam Embassy/Consulate, and paying well over the odds plus postage, plus risking losing your passport. Just chill and put aside a few quiet minutes on your computer.
Applying for the VAL online is really straightforward. You'll need your passport in front of you and your credit card to pay the $40. It takes 2 minutes to apply, and you'll receive an immediate acknowledgement.
Within 48 hours [longer over the weekend], you'll receive an e-mail with the VAL attached. It might contain more than your names, but don't worry about that. Print it off, you'll need it on arrival when you pay the $135
You'll also receive a link to the Visa Application Form. Print it off, and complete it. You'll need that together with the VAL when you arrive at the Vietnam Airport.
There are other agencies that offer the service online, but their fees might be different. The link above is recommended on TA, and used trouble-free by zillions of visitors.
Don't fret over problems that don't exist, it really is v.easy.
http://www.vietnamvisapro.net/
...you will pay online $40 for the Visa Authority Letter(VAL), and on arrival $135 for the Visa. For an explanation look just below the main table of fees on the link at the few lines in red.
There's no sense in sending your passport through the post to a Vietnam Embassy/Consulate, and paying well over the odds plus postage, plus risking losing your passport. Just chill and put aside a few quiet minutes on your computer.
Applying for the VAL online is really straightforward. You'll need your passport in front of you and your credit card to pay the $40. It takes 2 minutes to apply, and you'll receive an immediate acknowledgement.
Within 48 hours [longer over the weekend], you'll receive an e-mail with the VAL attached. It might contain more than your names, but don't worry about that. Print it off, you'll need it on arrival when you pay the $135
You'll also receive a link to the Visa Application Form. Print it off, and complete it. You'll need that together with the VAL when you arrive at the Vietnam Airport.
There are other agencies that offer the service online, but their fees might be different. The link above is recommended on TA, and used trouble-free by zillions of visitors.
Don't fret over problems that don't exist, it really is v.easy.
Sep 25th, 2016, 02:54 AM
#6
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That's great Lancasterlad! Thank you for your advice.
The embassy website says that we should apply for visas within 90 days of traveling. Would that be true for this as well?
Can you usually pay the $135 with a credit card or do they require cash?
The embassy website says that we should apply for visas within 90 days of traveling. Would that be true for this as well?
Can you usually pay the $135 with a credit card or do they require cash?
Sep 25th, 2016, 03:20 AM
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No problem.
I'm sure I got my VAL online at least 4 months in advance. It was something I wanted to get out of the eay and forget about.
The US$135 must be in cash, US$ only, and the notes should be in good condition, no tears or writing on them. That'll be the only time you'll need US$ in Vietnam.
We're in Hanoi in February and really looking forward. Fortunately as a Brit we've got a 15 day visa exemption.
I'm sure I got my VAL online at least 4 months in advance. It was something I wanted to get out of the eay and forget about.
The US$135 must be in cash, US$ only, and the notes should be in good condition, no tears or writing on them. That'll be the only time you'll need US$ in Vietnam.
We're in Hanoi in February and really looking forward. Fortunately as a Brit we've got a 15 day visa exemption.
Sep 25th, 2016, 11:07 AM
#8
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kwren: I am using Custom Vietnam Tours to put my private itinerary together. A few other people on Fodors, Calinurse being one, used and recommended them. I "interviewed" three companies, got 3 quotes, and decided on CVT. They are providing me with the visa letter for free as part of their services.
Sep 25th, 2016, 12:08 PM
#9
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Kathie - great advice, thanks so much, and for your answers on my other post as well.
Susiesan - I'll check them out! Thanks. Did you use them in Saigon and the Mekong Delta by any chance?
Susiesan - I'll check them out! Thanks. Did you use them in Saigon and the Mekong Delta by any chance?
Sep 25th, 2016, 02:13 PM
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<<<They are providing me with the visa letter for free as part of their services.>>>
Free? It sounds good and a great way of attracting business. But they'll be recovering the cost of their 'freebie' in with the service they're charging you for.
I'm not suggesting it's a scam, but the best scams you don't even notice.
Free? It sounds good and a great way of attracting business. But they'll be recovering the cost of their 'freebie' in with the service they're charging you for.
I'm not suggesting it's a scam, but the best scams you don't even notice.
Sep 25th, 2016, 02:20 PM
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LL, in my experience it is not uncommon for local travel agents to provide the visa approval letter for free if you a booking other things with them. It isn't a scam, but a "thank you" for doing business with them. There isn't much cost involved with issuing a visa approval letter.. and it generates good will.
Sep 25th, 2016, 11:00 PM
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@ Kathie<<<There have also been some problems with "fake" agencies issuing visa letters that are not valid. So while getting the prearranged visa makes good sense, do so carefully.>>>
Kathie. Your own advice above, and...
http://www.travelsense.org/Consumer/...emNumber=13840
Generating goodwill is fine, and offering a freebie quickly catches your attention. As long as everything goes smoothly, and the offer is genuinely genuine then that's great.
There might not be a lot of cost with issuing a Visa Approval Letter, but I would want it NOW, and not sometime in the future after I'd started to hand over payment details to a travel agent several thousand miles away.
Kathie. Your own advice above, and...
http://www.travelsense.org/Consumer/...emNumber=13840
Generating goodwill is fine, and offering a freebie quickly catches your attention. As long as everything goes smoothly, and the offer is genuinely genuine then that's great.
There might not be a lot of cost with issuing a Visa Approval Letter, but I would want it NOW, and not sometime in the future after I'd started to hand over payment details to a travel agent several thousand miles away.
Sep 26th, 2016, 08:12 AM
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LL, there is little danger that an agency from whom one is buying hundreds or thousands of dollars with of services would issue a fake visa letter. As I said, this is a common practice to issue a visa letter to a customer for free or very little. I have read dozens of reports from people who did this and not one ever had a problem with it.
Sep 26th, 2016, 10:30 PM
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I hope you have a seamless trip, and enjoy plenty of this...
http://m.english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/t...in-hanoi.html#
Bon appetit.
http://m.english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/t...in-hanoi.html#
Bon appetit.
Sep 28th, 2016, 10:28 AM
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I am using CVT for our trip this November and they charged me $25/per person for fast-visa service. I already have the letters so we should be good to go. We booked the entire trip with them and they did not throw it in?? I wonder if I should ask them why they charged me?
Sep 28th, 2016, 10:36 AM
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$25 per person is less than the usual rate, so you got a discount. I wonder if they gave susiean the letters for free because she started booking this trip long before the increase in visa prices.
Sep 28th, 2016, 12:49 PM
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rjbriskin: I am getting mine free because I asked for it. And I told them I was possibly going to cancel my trip over this whole visa cost increase matter. You may have been charged $25 for "fast service" at the airport, not for the visa letter itself.That is a whole other service. I don't need to have fast service getting through immigration as we will be in biz class and be the first off the plane to get in line.
LancasterLad: I may be paying for the visa letter somewhere buried in the other costs but I don't mind. I am happy with the price I will be paying for the tour overall and am willing to pay someone for providing me with a service. I could have done all the reservations and arrangements myself and saved some money but chose not to. I did see the delicacies of Hanoi post and will take it with me for reference.
LancasterLad: I may be paying for the visa letter somewhere buried in the other costs but I don't mind. I am happy with the price I will be paying for the tour overall and am willing to pay someone for providing me with a service. I could have done all the reservations and arrangements myself and saved some money but chose not to. I did see the delicacies of Hanoi post and will take it with me for reference.
