Can you get a visa on arrival at the airport in Vietnam?

Can you apply for a visa at the airport in Vietnam?

No. Pre-approved letter required. Vietnam airports don’t process applications directly.

Key Airports: My experience in 2023 confirms this:

• Noi Bai (Hanoi)
• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Da Nang

Process: Secure approval letter before arrival. Present letter. Visa stamped upon arrival. Simple.

My Note: Avoid last-minute scrambles. My friend, Alex, missed his flight because of this. He’s still salty. Get your letter weeks ahead. Trust me.

Is a visa on arrival available for Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam visa on arrival… what a mess.

• Only if you fly? Seriously?

• Land border crossing = proper visa needed. Got it.

My passport. It expires in 2025! Phew, should be fine. Passport needs six months validity though, absolutely crucial.

Wait, wasn’t I supposed to book flights? Oh man. Focus! Visa stuff first. Air travel only thing is important. Cruises and land crossings are a no-go for on arrival. Why the difference, tho?

• Fly = visa on arrival (maybe?).

• Land/Sea = Visa beforehand.

Okay, got it (I think). That six-month rule is annoying. I almost forgot, need to scan my passport to check the expiration date. Argh, always something.

Can you pay for visa at Vietnam airport?

Yes, you can handle visa fees right at the airport in Vietnam. There are, however, two distinct fees to be aware of.

First, there’s the visa letter service fee. This one you settle when you initially apply.

Then comes the stamping fee, which is what you pay upon arrival at a Vietnamese airport. The precise amount? It shifts based on the visa category you’re after. Kinda makes sense, doesn’t it? Everything has a price, even freedom to roam.

When should I apply for my Vietnam visa?

Three months before, that’s what they say. May 2024, it feels too far off, doesn’t it? Like planning a lifetime away. Waiting… it’s a strange thing. A kind of slow ache.

This whole visa thing… feels heavy. So much paperwork. I hate paperwork.

Apply closer to your travel dates. I wish it were simpler. More straightforward. Less anxiety-inducing. You know?

• Specific deadlines vary. It depends on the type of visa you need. I went through this last year. A nightmare.
• Check the Vietnamese embassy website. Always. For the official information. No shortcuts. I learned this the hard way.
• Don’t procrastinate. But also don’t rush. Find the balance. The sweet spot. That’s the hardest part, I think.

It’s all so… overwhelming. I’m tired just thinking about it. My Vietnam trip was amazing, though. The food… unbelievable.

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Passport. Visa. No exceptions.

• Valid passport: Six months beyond stay. One blank page.

• Visa: Required or pre-approved arrival visa. Apply beforehand. My aunt waited weeks.

• US citizens: Treat it seriously. Bureaucracy reigns.

Further “Insights”

• e-Visa: Possible. Check official government sites. Scams abound.

• Visa on arrival (VOA): Requires pre-approval letter. Don’t risk it. My opinion, anyway.

• Duration: Varies. Know your dates. Overstay? Bad news.

• Purpose: Tourist, business, etc. Declared honestly. Like everything else.

• Covid restrictions: Shifting sands. Check current mandates. Constantly. I can’t stress this enough.