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Vietnam Visa Applying Process (Updated 2016)

Vietnam is a beautiful country which welcomes millions of tourists every year. People are mesmerized by its fascinating scenery and appealing aspect of the culture. However, no matter how wonderful the experience is, your trip can be easily ruined by one small but irritating problem: VISA

The visa applying process in Vietnam

There are two kinds of visa for traveling: direct visa and visa on arrival. With direct visa, you can apply by mail or in person at the Embassy in your country (If your country is a members of the ASIAN, you can entering Vietnam without a visa for varying time periods) or go online and summit the application through the Embassy’s website.

Generally, aside from the application form, you also need:
+ A Original PASSPORT (which requires at least 01 month validity prior the date of exit from Vietnam and/or 06 month validity to meet airlines’ requirements). In urgent cases, a loose-leaf-visa can be requested, then a copy of passport (photo and personal detail pages) may be submitted instead of the original passport.
+ Visa fees must be in the form of MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK, or COMPANY CHECK payable to "EMBASSY OF VIETNAM."
+ A prepaid return envelope, if the applicant requests the visa be returned by mail.

And within five business day, the process of visa application will be approved.

But if you don’t have time to track down the Vietnam Embassy, the next kind of visa, visa on arrival should do the trick. Visa on arrival is a legitimate alternative to obtaining a full visa stamp from the Vietnamese Embassy. Once issued, this visa is exactly the same as a visa issued by any Vietnamese embassy/consulate, with the same limitations and conditions attached to its use.

Usually, you will apply for visa on arrival upon landing in Vietnam at the airport. However, one disadvantage of the VOA system is that the process at the airport can be slow. HCMC airport (Tan Son Nhat) in particular, where things can become chaotic if people do not form an orderly queue, can take up to hours for your application to come through if in the high season. Not to mention the luggage claims you have to do later.

Common problems when applying visa in Vietnam

Well, it can create very troublesome issues. Take Kate M’s story for example 

Kate M is a well-known traveling blogger from Boston, America. In February of 2011, she came to Vietnam after spending some time in Thailand and Laos. She’d booked a visa application service for Vietnam through a travel agency in Vientiane, Laos with the price of 50$. When she received the visa, she was shocked to find out that the extending date in her visa was 16/2/1900. Thought it was an mistake from the Vietnam Embassy, she brushed it off.

When she came to Laos’ border custom office, they didn’t let her through because of the mistake and she had to return to Vientiane. And no matter how she explained things to them, they only let her through if the problem would be worked out between her and the Vietnam Embassy.

Gladly, Kate M’s story had had a happy ending with her eventually get her visa’ mistake fixed with some extra fee by the Vietnam custom office within 30 minutes.

The points to this story that Kate had share is that even a smallest mistake can cost you major. Look out for any mistyped or misspelling in your visa and if you can, double check all the information and application process yourself. But, what will happen if your visa is not coming through? 

Tiger’s tips for regarding the matter

First, finding a reliable visa or travel agency is very crucial if you wish to use their visa service and always keep contact (hotline number) with the person at the agency who help you apply for visa.

Next, check all the additional fees when you apply for visa on arrival, because beside the visa fee, you will properly have to pay for the stamping fee at the custom as well.

Last but not least, always check and double check carefully all the information on your application for visa on arrival or direct visa, since with just one tiny mistake can prevent you from entering Vietnam.

That being said, understand the struggles for applying for visa and not everybody have the time to track down the Vietnam Embassy, we, Tiger tour, also offer you a safe and secured visa service.

To find further information, see more on Vietnam Tourism Official website

Immigration procedure for visitors entering Viet Nam by sea, read more here

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