Roberta Aguirre
Vietnam offers a convenient alternative to obtaining a visa before travelling there: the visa on arrival (VOA) or visa upon arrival. This process involves obtaining a visa approval letter from a local agency in Vietnam beforehand, then getting your visa stamped at the airport upon landing in Vietnam. This option is available at all 8 international airports in Vietnam, including Noi Bai in Hanoi, Cat Bi in Hai Phong, Da Nang in Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. To obtain a VOA, you will need to fill out the Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1 or NA1) with a 3x4 cm photo, present your original passport, and pay the prescribed fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival availability | Yes |
| Visa on arrival locations | Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Quoc Island, Da Lat, Can Tho City |
| Visa on arrival requirements | Visa approval letter, visa stamp, completed Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1), photo, original passport, copy of approval letter |
| Visa on arrival fees | 1-month visa: $25, 3-month visa: $50 |
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What You'll Learn
Visa approval letters
The "Visa approval letter" is a document (approved by the Immigration Office) that allows you to enter and exit Vietnam for a given time period. It is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (Vietnam Ministry of Public Security) to travellers to Vietnam. It is not a visa, but a required document to obtain a visa on arrival for Vietnam.
To obtain a visa approval letter, you must apply for it via a local visa agency in Vietnam or a legally operated Vietnam travel agency. The letter will then be processed and emailed to you within three to five business days. In urgent cases, you can receive the letter within one to two working hours.
Upon receiving the letter, you can then board your flight to Vietnam and get your visa stamped upon arrival at one of the eight international airports in Vietnam, including Noi Bai in Hanoi.
The visa approval letter will include details such as the full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality, and permitted duration of stay in Vietnam. It is usually issued in a group, so you may find your name and information listed with those of other people. If you would prefer a private letter, you can request one via email. It is important to note that the letter of approval cannot be amended once it is issued, so you must apply for a new letter if any of your information changes.
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Visa on arrival process
To obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival at Hanoi airport, you must follow these steps:
Firstly, check whether you need a visa for your trip to Vietnam. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can apply online for an E-visa on the Vietnam Immigration website. South African passports are eligible for the e-visa application.
If you are not eligible for an E-visa or visa exemption, you can apply for a visa on arrival. This involves obtaining an approval letter from a travel agency or visa agency in Vietnam, which acts as official permission to board your flight and receive your visa stamp upon landing. The approval letter is granted by the Vietnam Immigration Department and can be used at all eight international airports in Vietnam, including Noi Bai in Hanoi.
To obtain the approval letter, submit your application and make the necessary payment. The visa approval letter will then be delivered to your registered email. The duration of processing an approval letter is typically a few working hours to one working day for an emergency visa, or 7-10 working days for a standard visa.
Once you have received the approval letter, present it to board your flight and then proceed to the 'Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival' counter at Hanoi airport. You will then receive your visa stamp and can progress to the Passport Control Counter to get the blue stamp in your passport.
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Required documents
To obtain a Vietnamese visa on arrival at Hanoi airport, you must obtain a visa approval letter (also known as a pre-approved visa letter or visa invitation letter) from a local visa agency or travel agency in Vietnam. You will then need to present the following documents at the "Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival" counter at the airport:
- The visa approval letter, printed from your registered email.
- A completed Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1 or NA1), with a 3x4 cm attached photo.
- Your original passport, and proof of legal residence such as a temporary or permanent residence card.
- Payment for the visa, in local Vietnam Dong.
Once your documents have been processed and payment made, your visa will be stamped into your passport, and you will be allowed to enter Vietnam.
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Where to get a stamp
To get a stamp on your Vietnam visa on arrival at Hanoi airport, you need to reach the “Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival” counter. You will see a sign for the visa counter upon arrival.
At the counter, you will need to fill in Form NA1 (also known as the Vietnamese visa application form or entry and exit form), with a 3x4 cm photo attached. You will also need to present your original passport and a copy of the approval letter printed from email.
After this, you will pay the fee and receive your Hanoi airport visa on arrival, based on the type of visa. The fee for a one-month visa is $25, and for a three-month visa, it is $50.
Once you have received your visa, you will need to progress onwards to the Passport Control Counter to get the blue stamp in your passport.
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E-visa application
To obtain a Vietnam e-visa, you must first complete an online application form and pay the associated fee. This can be done through the Vietnam Electronic Visa Portal. The e-visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days, with either single or multiple entries. It is important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a visa approval letter via email. This letter serves as confirmation that you have been pre-approved for a visa and allows you to board your flight to Vietnam. Upon arrival at one of Vietnam's eight international airports, including Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you must present your visa approval letter to obtain your official visa stamp.
At the airport, follow the signs to the "Visa upon arrival" or "Nơi cấp thị thực" counter. Here, you will need to submit your visa approval letter and other required documents, such as your passport and the completed Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1). After receiving your visa stamp, proceed to the Passport Control Counter to get the blue stamp in your passport.
It is important to carefully review all the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Vietnam e-visa. The process typically involves submitting an online application, receiving a visa approval letter, and then obtaining the official visa stamp upon arrival at a Vietnam international airport. By following these steps, travellers can obtain the necessary visa to enter Vietnam through the convenient e-visa application process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get a Vietnam visa at Hanoi airport.
You will need to obtain a visa approval letter from a local visa agency in Vietnam beforehand, then present this letter along with your passport to get your visa stamp upon arrival at Hanoi airport.
Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, you will see a sign for the "Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival" counter. Go to this counter to get your visa stamp.
The cost of a Vietnam visa on arrival varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for. For example, at Ho Chi Minh airport, the fee for a 1-month visa is $25, while a 3-month visa costs $50.
