crellston

Can anyone recommend an agency for obtaining a visa approval letter in advance? Also, does anyone have any recent experience of using the process to obtain their visa on arrival. i have read of some people having to queue for hours at immigration. we will be flying into Hanoi airport and wondered if there might a time that is better than others to arrive e.g, mornings v afternoon, avoid weekends etc..
Any info would be appreciated

Kathie

Any VN travel agency can get you an approval letter. If you are using an agency like Tonkin, Vietnamstay, etc, ask them to do it. The problems with long lines for those with approval letters has been in HCMC, so since you are flying into Hanoi, that will help.

Come back and let us know how it goes for you, crellston!

sartoric

It was a few years ago, but I just googled Vietnam visa and chose a provider. This was on the Thursday evening before a Saturday morning flight. I had the letter emailed to me by Friday lunch time for about $40.

We arrived in Hanoi at around 8 pm on a Saturday. The arrival hall was a bit chaotic, seemed to be first come, first served at the counter to pay the stamping fee, with some pushing and shoving.

We were probably out the door within an hour. I hope it has improved.

Marija

We obtained the visas before arriving, opting for a "loose leaf visa" which does not require you to mail in your passport. You just send in a form to the embassy, and of course your money, and receive a loose leaf paper visa which you bring with you.

thursdaysd

I used Tonkin Travel and had no trouble flying into Hanoi, but that was 2011.