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Vietnam has specific entry requirements for foreign visitors, and it is essential to understand these before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City. Travellers to Vietnam by air can obtain a visa on arrival at eight international airports, including Ho Chi Minh City Airport. However, it is necessary to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand. This can be done by applying for an e-visa online, which can take up to five working days to process. Once the visa application has been accepted, it is important to print out the approved visa and other relevant documents, such as the passport, flight itinerary and accommodation confirmation. At Ho Chi Minh City Airport, travellers can get their visa stamped at the Landing Visa – Cấp thị thực tại chỗ counter in the immigration hall. Here, they must submit their documents, including their passport, visa approval letter, completed entry-exit form and passport-type photos. They will then need to pay the visa stamping fee in cash, in USD or VND.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival | Available at eight international airports in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City Airport |
| Visa approval letter | Required before arrival at the airport |
| Documents required | Original passport, visa approval letter, entry and exit form, 2 passport-sized photos |
| Payment | Cash only, in USD or VND |
| Time taken | Approximately 15 minutes with all necessary paperwork |
| Transit visa | Not required for layovers under 24 hours in the international transit area, unless your nationality is not included in the Vietnam visa-free list |
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What You'll Learn
- Visa on arrival: Get a visa approval letter, then get a visa stamp at the airport
- Required documents: Passport, visa approval letter, entry-exit form, and photos
- Visa fee: Pay in cash, USD or VND
- Visa exemption: No visa needed for transits under 24 hours in the international area
- E-visa: Apply online, receive confirmation, then print and pack documents
Visa on arrival: Get a visa approval letter, then get a visa stamp at the airport
To get a visa on arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you must obtain a visa approval letter before travelling to Vietnam. Once you have the letter, you can get a visa stamp on arrival at the airport.
The visa on arrival procedure is available at eight international airports in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh Airport. The process is relatively straightforward and takes about 15-30 minutes.
Firstly, you will need to prepare the necessary documents, which include:
- Your original passport (valid for at least six months from your date of entry and with at least two blank pages)
- A printed copy of your visa approval letter
- A completed Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1, also known as the entry and exit form) with a 3x4 cm photo attached
Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport, follow the signs to the "Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival" counter. Here, you will submit your documents and fill out Form NA1 as instructed by the immigration officer. You will also need to pay the visa fee, which is $25 for a one-month visa and $50 for a three-month visa (payable in Vietnamese dong or USD).
After submitting your documents, you will be asked to wait while your application is processed. The officer will call out your name when your visa is ready, and you will need to pay the visa stamp fee in cash (USD is recommended). Finally, you will receive your passport with the Vietnam visa stamp and a receipt.
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Required documents: Passport, visa approval letter, entry-exit form, and photos
To obtain a visa at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you must have the following documents:
Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months following your date of entry into Vietnam and have at least two blank pages. You will need to present your original passport and may be asked to provide a copy.
Visa approval letter
You must obtain a visa approval letter before your arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport. You can apply for this letter online and print it out, or you can present a copy on your electronic device. The letter can be obtained in as soon as 1-2 hours in case of an emergency.
Entry-exit form
You will need to complete and submit Form NA1, also known as the Vietnamese visa application form or entry and exit form. This form will be provided by the immigration officer at the airport, and you will need to fill it out as instructed.
Photos
You will need to provide two passport-type photos that are 4x6cm or 3x4cm in size. These photos will be submitted along with your other documents.
In addition to these documents, you will need to pay a visa stamping or visa on arrival fee. This fee can be paid in Vietnamese dong or USD, although USD is recommended. The cost of the visa depends on the type of visa you are obtaining. For example, a one-month visa may cost $25, while a three-month visa may cost $50.
It is important to note that the visa on arrival option is only available to travellers arriving by air and is not a direct process. You must obtain the visa approval letter before your arrival and then get your visa stamped upon landing at Ho Chi Minh Airport. The entire process at the airport typically takes around 15-30 minutes.
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Visa fee: Pay in cash, USD or VND
To obtain a visa at Ho Chi Minh Airport, you must pay a visa stamping fee at the cashier counter. The fee must be paid in cash, and USD is recommended. However, both USD and VND are accepted.
The stamping fee is required to get the official visa stamped in your passport. The cost is $25 USD for a single-entry visa (1-3 months) and $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa (1-3 months).
After paying the stamping fee, you will receive your passport with the visa inside and a receipt. You can then proceed to the 'Foreigners' Passport Control Counter' to get the final stamp in your passport.
It is important to note that the visa on arrival procedure at Ho Chi Minh Airport requires travelers to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand. This letter can be obtained from the Vietnamese Immigration Department and allows foreigners to enter and exit Vietnam for a specified period. With this letter, travelers can then obtain their visa upon arrival at the airport.
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Visa exemption: No visa needed for transits under 24 hours in the international area
If you are transiting through Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport and will not be leaving the international transit area during your layover, you do not need a visa if your layover is under 24 hours. This is applicable if your nationality is included in the Vietnam visa exemption list.
The Vietnam visa exemption list includes citizens from the following countries:
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Norway
- Russia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- The UK
- The US
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change. It is always recommended to check with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information regarding visa requirements.
If your nationality is not included in the Vietnam visa exemption list, or if you plan to leave the transit area during your layover, you will need to obtain a visa. This can be done by applying for an e-visa or a visa on arrival. The visa on arrival option requires you to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand and then get your visa stamped upon landing at the Ho Chi Minh City Airport.
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E-visa: Apply online, receive confirmation, then print and pack documents
To enter Ho Chi Minh City, you will need to apply for an e-visa online. You can do this through the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Airport or via a third party like Vietnam-visa. The process can take up to three to five working days, so make sure to apply in advance.
Before applying for your e-visa, you must have confirmed bookings for your flights in and out of Vietnam and accommodations for the duration of your stay. You will need to provide this information as part of the visa application process, along with your passport (with at least six months remaining), application form, and proof of accommodation and transportation in Vietnam.
Once your e-visa application has been accepted, print out the approved visa and any other relevant documents, such as your passport, flight itinerary, and accommodation confirmation. These documents will be checked at the airport before you are issued your boarding pass.
If you are unable to obtain your e-visa in time for your departure, you may be able to seek an emergency visa on arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport. However, you will still need to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand. At the airport, go to the "Landing Visa – Cấp thị thực tại chỗ" counter on the left side when you enter the immigration hall. Submit your documents, including your passport, printed visa approval letter, completed entry-exit form, and two passport-type photos (4x6cm). Then, wait for the Vietnamese officer to process your visa stamp and pay the stamping fee in cash (USD or VND).
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Frequently asked questions
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the duration of your layover. If you are not leaving the airport's international transit area and your layover is no more than 24 hours, you do not need a visa. If you plan to leave the airport during your layover, even for a short period, or your layover exceeds 24 hours, you will need a visa.
You can obtain a visa on arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport. Before your trip, you will need to obtain a visa approval letter and fill out the Vietnamese visa application form (Form N1). Once you arrive at the airport, go to the "Landing Visa – Cấp thị thực tại chỗ" counter, submit your documents, and pay the visa stamping fee.
To get a visa on arrival, you will need to present your original passport, a printed visa approval letter, a completed entry-exit form, and two passport-type photos (4x6cm).
