Vietnam Visa on Arrival Procedure at Airports

You probably already knew, but in case you don’t know, you must obtain a visa appproval letter before traveling to Vietnam and proceed with on arrival visa procedure at airport. Please look at the picture below for understanding the steps to get a letter of approval.

If you are interested in getting us to arrange the approval for you, please enter here to register online. The approval will be delivered to you within 1 hour to 48 business hours.

Once you have got the letter, the airlines will let you board the plane and the Vietnam immigration officer at the airport will grant you the visa stamp on arrival without asking any questions. The information below will show you the procedure to pick up the visa at 3 main Vietnam’s international airports.

1. Noi Bai International Airport – in Hanoi 

Since 2015, the VOA counter at Noi Bai airport   to the opposite position to Immigration posts. That means you would see it before you reach for the immigration. There are two sides: you hand in your passport and documents (approval letter, entry-exit form, and your photos) on the right side. If you do not complete the entry/exit form before arrival, it is time to do it now. Next, move to the left side where they will call you to ask the fee and return your stamped passport. VOA officers often show your photo while calling out your name in case they can’t get it right. Stamping fee is paid in cash, $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry. Check for error before proceeding to the “Foreigners” queue to Immigration posts.

2. Da Nang International Airport – in Danang

The VOA counter an Da Nang international airport is noticeable. Just follow the exit signs to reach there. The process is quicker than the other two airports surely because Da Nang airport isn’t as busy. Prepare your passport, passport photos, entry-exit from, and the very important approval letter. It shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to get your passport back with a Vietnam visa sticker inside. Once the passport is returned, proceed to Immigration control and it might be slow because there is no separation for foreigners and locals.

3. Tan Son Nhat International Airport – in Ho Chi Minh City

In Tan Son Nhat airport, HCMC, the counter for VOA named “LANDING VISA”. After landing, you can see the big sign showing “Landing Visa” to the far end on the left side of the Immigration hall. The lovely and small Landing Visa window is where you will hand in the documents – your passport, copy of approval letter, completed entry-exit form, and one passport photo. Next step, find a seat and wait until your name is called. Pay the stamping fee in cash and in the US dollar and now you are free to go to the immigration line. Good news is ATMs has been recently set up near the Landing Visa; however, we recommend you to bring along cash to pay the stamping fee for the best case. The visa on arrival procedures at airport might sound like a piece of cake but in reality, it’s quite messy. When it’s crowded, that single window seems to be too small to do 2 jobs at the same time – take in the application and give out successful visas. Be sure to check your visa while you are still in the counter as it’s impossible to come back and request amendment once you pass through immigration control.

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