How Vietnam visa on arrival works - a step-by-step guide

How to get Vietnam visa on arrival Fast & Easy

What is Vietnam Visa on Arrival?

Vietnam Visa on Arrival is a way of getting a valid visa to Vietnam, in which the applicants will need to get a visa approval letter online beforehand and pick up full visa at Vietnam international airport upon arrival.

Visa on Arrival vs. Embassy Visa

Is Vietnam Visa on Arrival legitimate? YES – is the short answer

Issuing authority: Vietnam Immigration Department – a Government’s authority
Legal basis:
- Ordinance on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam
- Government’s Decree No. 21/2001/ND-CP
- Joint Circular No. 04/2002/TTLT/BCA-BNG

Learn more

How to apply?

01. Submit Application

Take 5 minutes to fill out the form online

with minimum required information:

Full name – The same as in passport
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport number
Date of arrival
Type of Visa

02. Get Approval Letter via Email

After 2 working days (normal service); YOU WILL:

Get visa approval letter via email (attached with Vietnamese visa application form)

After that, you need to:

Print out the letter and the form,
Fill out the Vietnamese visa application form,
Prepare 2 passport-sized photos 4x6cm and cash for stamping fee,
Put all above mentioned things along with your passport in a package,
then show them to Immigration officer at Vietnam arrival airports.

03. Get Visa Stamped at Arrival

Travel worry-free

Upon landing, head to the Landing VISA (VOA) Counter, present the following:

Your passport, Visa approval letter
2 Passport-sized photos
Vietnamese visa application form, and
Stamping fee

to the Immigration Officer to get VISA stamped onto your passport.

Apply for Vietnam Visa on Arrival

Frequently asked questions

What if I change my arrival airport in Vietnam?

It does not matter at all.

As the Visa approval letter (to pick up visa on arrival) works at all 5 international airports of Vietnam (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City), you can switch your arrival among those airports and get the visa stamped without problems.

What if I have un-known travel dates during filling our my application form for visa approval letter?

It does not matter at all. In case you are still not sure about your travel dates, you can provide planned ones when you fill in online VOA Vietnam application form.

But please be kindly informed that you can enter Vietnam later than your provided arrival date but cannot enter sooner, so, please carefully consider before putting your dates into the form.

Do I need to contact the Vietnam embassy in case I’ve got the visa approval letter?

No. When using Vietnam visa on arrival (or VOA Vietnam), you have nothing to work with the Vietnam embassy regarding your visa for Vietnam.

After getting the visa approval letter via email, you only need to print it out together with the attached Vietnamese visa application form (formerly known as Entry and Exit Form) and then get the visa stamped upon arrival at Vietnam airport by showing these forms, original passport, photos and paying for stamping fee there.

Do I need to provide any document to apply for a Vietnam visa approval letter?

No. You do not need to provide any document to apply online for the Vietnam visa approval letter, you only need to provide your information, including:

Your contact details (name, email and possibly phone number);
Your travel dates;
Applicant’s information (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, date of birth and passport expiry date).

Here is the link to apply for VOA Vietnam and get the visa approval letter: https://booking.vietnam-visa.com/step1.html.

What are important remarks for Visa on arrival to Vietnam (VOA Vietnam)?

Yes. There is two very important remarks for all those using Visa On Arrival to Vietnam (or VOA Vietnam).

First of all, unlike visa on arrival to Cambodia or Laos which can be obtained right at the entry border gate by completing a form there, Vietnam visa on arrival requires travelers to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand to get visa stamped at Vietnam arrival airport.

The second important remark for visa on arrival for Vietnam is that it is only for those traveling to Vietnam by air through any of the 5 international airports in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.

When should I get Vietnam visa on arrival?

As this kind of VOA Vietnam is for those traveling to Vietnam by air only, you only can use it when you are traveling to Vietnam by air.