Any advice on the VOA in HCMC. Can I use my airline status to get through the line faster. Anybody else do VOA? Thanks so much!
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Any advice on the VOA in HCMC. Can I use my airline status to get through the line faster. Anybody else do VOA? Thanks so much!
typically, unless you are working, in-uniform crew, you shouldn't be privileged to bypass other pax. I'd be displeased if it happened in front of me.
I would never expect crew privs [that I'm not entitled to receive]
Apparently tour groups even if they arrive way after you in line pay off the agents to get called first. I meant that instead of paying off the agents for a visa could I say I work for the airlines.
You know even though it is VOA you need to have pre-arranged, right?
You need to get a company to arrange it, then when you land you pay $25. If you don't have the printed approval from an embassy via another company, then no dice. I used Vietnam Visa (on arrival) | The Official Site for My Vietnam Visa
Or you can get a real visa... but that takes a long time.
Usually for Visa On arrival it means just that....you arrive and before immigration go to the VOA desk, show your passport, present two passport photo's and pay the fee then head to immigration.....I have never had to have a letter from an embassy prior to arriving at a VOA airport and that included Burma (no longer do VOA!) Laos, Indonesia and Cambodia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick
Cheers.............
what about Vietnam? Is it the same for Oz citizens as US?
OP is not Australian
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.
Oh also this is why I don't head up there more often... for me Vietnam is a pain due to the visa situation, and also the fact we have no agreement with Vietnam Airlines.
Also forgot to mention, it was quite amusing when I got my "approval letter" from these visa people - they listed me along with a bunch of others on a sheet - I saw their names, passport numbers, everything. Hello identity theft!
I had my visa by mail in about 11-12 days about six years back. Another time a three day wait in BKK. Question... Are the VOA lines at arrival shorter or longer than regular lines?
By regular line do you mean passport control?
At HCMC the VOA is to the left of passport control. Took me about 10mins to get through, but if it's busy would take longer. Once you are stamped, you can then go thru passport control