We used http://www.instantvietnamvisa.com . the $23 pp was for a private letter I.e our names only on the letter. Cheaper for a non private letter.

I posted more about our arrivals experience in Hanoi earlier this week here
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...experience.cfm

Thanks for the report, crellston. Good to know your personal experience. I myself have become very accustomed to applying for and receiving visas by post from embassy or consulate many times over the years so think nothing of it. But I can see where others who haven't done this before might find it easier, less confusing (and perhaps it seems less risky also) to get an approval letter from a private online company and then get the visa stamp on arrival in country.

I think it's also important to note that visa stamp with the approval letter is valid only at three international airports, Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Danang Airport (Da Nang). It is not available for overland entry into Vietnam.

Apparently they are thinking of extending thr Approval letter system to include some land borders and other airports - when/ if this is this lis likely to happen is anyone's guess. I would also add that Hanoi airport is supposed to be a lot quiker than HCMC.

Just a final note regarding turnaround time for a Vietnam Visa, from personal experience. I posted my passport and most recent application for an upcoming visit on a Monday morning, via FedEx. Passport with visa inserted arrived back on my porch the following Friday. Four days! Pretty fast and efficient service, especially considering I'm in Oregon, on the far side of the continent from the embassy in Washington.

Hi, has anyone ever gotten a Vietnam visa on arrival? And from who?

Yes, I did get Vietnam visa on arrival from Vietnam-Evisa.Org. I applied for the visa online and made payment online. After that, I received Vietnam visa approval letter via mail within 30 minutes.
Any reputable references would be great!

I would suggest you to go through their website which is http://www.vietnam-evisa.org/ if you want to know more about visa on arrival.

Let me know if you need more help in regards with the same.

they call it visa on arrival, but the method it is you apply an approval letter in-advance, and then you can get visa at the airport with the letter

Going for a month in 4 months time.
We'll be using http://www.vietnamvisapro.com/ for the authorisation letter for 'VOA'.
Looks straightforward enough, and regularly recommended on TA.
Really looking forward to the trip.

I applied for our Visa Approval Letter via www.vietnamvisapro.com on Monday @ 0900, and paid the US$18 (total for both of us).

The application was immediately acknowledged by e-mail.

Received the Approval Letter by e-mail @ 0800 this morning (Wednesday), together with the Visa Application Form.

The Approval Letter, completed Visa Application Form, and US$45 per Visa have to presented to Immigration at Ho Chi Minh Airport on arrival.

Visa application form, which was attached to our Visa Approval Letter looks like...

http://vietnamvisapro.com/vietnam-vi...on-arrival.pdf

All very straightforward, and risk free.

If we want to Fast-track through the Airport then Vietnamvisapro charge US$15 per person.

hi

Visited vietnam last week. I was also confused about the visa. I researched a bit and saw that A pre approval letter is required to get the visa to vietnam. I landed in Hanoi and used http://www.vietnamvoa.com/ for my visa on arrival pre approval letter. It was pretty easy and prompt. Opted for the 2 days delivery and got the letter within 2 days. It was cheaper than other websites and u can make paypal payment. Another good thing,u get to check your application progress online. If u think u didnt receive the letter, check your spam email. At the airport u need $25 for the service fees.it went pretty fast and no issues.

Where are you from? Quite a number of nationalities get free entry visa to Vietnam now. If you are from France, Sweden, Denmark, German, Italy or Spain. You will get free entry visa for 15 days staying in Vietnam.

Bluebelltours. That info is only valid until 30 June this year. If that date has been extende ca you provide a link please?