Either picture or something else it is not possible to finish the visa application at the first try. I’ve tried several times, and somehow during the process my sex changed from Male to Femail. I was using my phone so it a little hard to notice.
When I arrived at the immigration in Hochimin City, they noticed and told to get a new visa. A young girl (who was hired because she spoke some English and not wearing official uniforms) came to me I need an “Emergency Visa” and said it would cost $100US. I asked her even visa on arrival is cheaper than than that and refused to pay her. Then another young man approached me and said for $50 US he will handle that. I told the I am not paying anything and will leave the country on the next flight out. Then a few minutes later a man in uniform(looks like a supervisor) came and approved my entry. I was serious about leaving the country on the next flight out. They try to squeeze you out for tiny mistake.

I am not an expert but have experienced few problems applying for Vietnamese visas , a process I have been through any times under through several different changes of process.

I would suggest everyone pays close attention to filling in the online form and double check before submission and again on receipt of the visa to check that all is correct.

I am surprised they even allowed you onto the plane at departure without checking you visa was correct as, technically, it would be the airlines responsibility to get you back to your point of origin.

I have never seen or heard about the "scams" you describe at the airport, at least not for many years and then most re expat Vietnamese. Cleary, travellers should only ever deal with border officials and not random strangers.

I thought it had to match the photo on my passport!
?

I thought it had to match the photo on the passport!
?

No, as per the official website it just has to be a photo of you. Take care to follow the instructions carefully re size, resolution and background etc. just like you would for a passport photo. I did mine as a selfie with my phone.

I'm lucky to have a Vietnamese consulate near to where I live so I go in and get my visas from them but it is still takes a few days to get it and you have to be really careful to provide the correct city you are entering in Vietnam and the date of arrival, I must check about 5 times and hope the airline doesn't change the flight date or the arrival city. I have seen several people in the queue get refused at checkin although I did see them on the plane so there must have an express method somehow
I agree, the websites are difficult to spot the official from fakes, as they all look pretty amateurish, and I don't find the immigration staff particularly welcoming or professional, I'll keep going but not my favourite country to visit or transit