Thread: Visa on Arrival (VOA) HCMC

I refer you to wikitravel:

Vietnam travel guide - Wikitravel (or also see Vietnam Visa Upon Arrival - Lonely Planet travel forum)

Visitors from the following countries do not require a visa and can stay for the following number of days.

• 15 days: Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Russia
• 21 days: Philippines
• 30 days: Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

All other nationalities will require a visa in advance to visit Vietnam.



The term 'visa on arrival' is a bit of a misnomer in the case of Vietnam as a letter of approval has to be obtained before arrival. This is handled by a growing number of on-line agencies for a charge of US$14-20 (in 2010), depending on the agency. Most agencies accept payment by credit card.
The agent - located in Vietnam - obtains from the Department of Immigration a letter of approval bearing the traveller's name, date of birth, nationality and passport number, and then forwards that letter to the traveller by email or fax, usually within three working days. After landing at one of the three international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang) the traveller goes to the visa on arrival counter, presents the letter, fills in an additional form and receives an official stamp in his or her passport. A stamping fee of US$25 (US$50 for a multiple entry visa) is payable at the time - only U.S. dollars are accepted (no other currency or credit card) and the notes must be in as-new condition or they will be refused. Two passport photos are also required.