How do I go to Vietnam from Thailand?

Do I need a visa on arrival in Vietnam?

Visa stuff for Vietnam? Right, here's the deal.

• 45 days free: Yep, most nationalities get 45 visa-free days for tourism or business. Sweet! It's pretty recent.

• Longer stays: Going beyond? Then a visa's a must. No way around it, sadly.

• Pre-approval letter: The secret sauce is getting a pre-approval letter via a travel agent. Think of it as the key to the visa kingdom. My travel agent had me sorted.

• Embassy pickup: The pre-approval letter allows a visa-on-arrival but involves an embassy visit. So, plan that embassy visit! Who even knew that was still a thing?

I mean, life's short. Go to Vietnam for more than 45 days if you can. Also, remember to check your passport validity. It's the boring stuff, but critical.

How to get a Vietnam visa from Bangkok?

Okay, so you wanna ditch the pad thai for some pho, huh? Getting a Vietnam visa in Bangkok ain't rocket surgery, more like assembling Ikea furniture after a few Chang beers. Here's the lowdown, short and sweet:

• Passport's gotta be legit. Like, six months past your return flight, or they'll laugh you outta the embassy. Trust me, it's happened to my cousin Barry. Barry's a mess.

• Passport photo. Think driver's license, but hopefully less terrifying. No duck faces, Brenda! This ain't Tinder.

• Proof of your grand adventure. Flight tickets, hotel bookings, anything that screams "I'm actually going to Vietnam, not just hanging around Bangkok trying to sell fake Rolexes."

• Application form. It's like a permission slip for grown-ups. Fill it out truthfully...ish. I mean, who's really gonna check if you're fluent in Mongolian?

Now, lemme spin you a yarn 'bout the time I tried this myself... Whoa boy!

So, you haul yer cookies down to the Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok. It's on Wireless Road. Don't even think about trying to wing it in flip-flops and a Singha tank top; dress respectable. It isn't a beach!

Next, submit all that paperwork I just mentioned. They might ask you some questions. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you're as clueless as a screen door on a submarine.

Pay the visa fee. Cash is king. Think hundreds of baht, not some random Monopoly money you found in your shorts.

Wait. This is the hard part. Could be a day, could be a week. Go get a foot massage and try not to lose your mind.

Pick up your visa and boom, you're golden. Time to hit up Hanoi, or Hoi An, or wherever your heart desires! Just don't tell 'em I sent ya.

How do I get a visa for Vietnam on arrival?

Ugh, Vietnam visa on arrival… What a hassle. Okay, so, pre-approval is KEY. Gotta get a pre-approval letter. How? Some travel agencies do it.

Find a legit travel agency that does Vietnam visa pre-approvals. Pay them. They send a letter. Got it.

Then, fly to Vietnam. Okay, simple. Wait... Don't forget the letter! And passport photos, argh. Why photos?

Is it easier just to get the visa before leaving? Nah, too organized. On arrival is the only way. Queue life. Seriously, why am I like this?

• Find a reliable agency online.
• Pay their fee. (ouch!)
• They email a pre-approval letter.
• Print that sucker out!
• Pack passport photos (check size reqs!).
• Fly.
• Apply on arrival at the airport visa counter. Expect lines. Pay another fee. (double ouch!)

Ugh, I'm hungry. Maybe pho when I arrive? Wait, what about customs forms? Oh god, more paperwork. Okay, calm down. One step at a time. Visa first, then pho. Always pho.

Did Mom ever go to Vietnam? I should ask her. No wait, that was Thailand, right? Blurgh.

• Check agency reviews!
• Photocopy everything.
• Currency for fees? USD is best, probably.
• Find a converter!
• Be polite to the immigration officials. Duh.

Right, back to visas. So, yeah, pre-approval letter is not the actual visa. It just lets you apply when you land. It's like…permission to ask permission. Lol. This is gonna be a disaster.

What is the difference between a Vietnam eVisa and visa on arrival?

Ugh, Vietnam visas. Such a headache. eVisa vs. visa on arrival... what's the real deal?

• eVisa is a PDF, right? You print it. No passport stamp needed, that's the thing. Like, zero physical visa involved beforehand. Makes sense? Or does it?

  • Do I even want to go to Vietnam again? That pho place near my aunt's was amazing though.

• Visa on arrival: okay, so you get some kind of... approval thing online. Then, BAM, passport stamp at the airport.

  • Wait, what if the approval thing doesn't come through? Disaster! Airport stress. I’d rather visit Lisbon.

Key Difference: The eVisa process is all digital. Visa on arrival needs you to stand in line get your passport stamped. This is critical if you care about minimizing airport waiting time.

* Plus, what if the lines are insane? Imagine spending three hours getting a visa!

• eVisa = Less airport hassle, in my experience. Pay attention to which airports even accept eVisa applications to avoid the VOA.