VIETNAM VISA ON ARRIVAL

A Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) was previously a popular option for foreign travelers entering Vietnam by air. The service involved obtaining a visa approval letter before departure and then completing the visa process upon arrival at a Vietnamese international airport. This was a paid service and was never intended to be offered as a promotion, free service, or discount. The approval letter was issued through Vietnam’s immigration authorities for a fee.

However, Vietnam visa regulations have changed significantly since the Covid-19 period. The traditional visa-on-arrival approval-letter service is no longer the standard option for ordinary tourists. Today, travelers outside Vietnam can apply directly for an official Vietnam e-visa online, without needing a traditional visa approval letter. The official Immigration Department confirms that the e-visa can be valid for up to 90 days, with either single or multiple entry.

Update

Due to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), Vietnam temporarily suspended the issuance of tourist visas from March 2020. During this period, foreign nationals had to follow special entry procedures, and certain business visas, work visas, and residence cards remained available under applicable conditions. Vietnam subsequently resumed normal tourist visa arrangements on March 15, 2022, as international tourism reopened.

Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has further expanded its visa policy. The e-visa validity period was increased to a maximum of 90 days, and e-visas became available to citizens of all countries and territories, subject to Vietnam’s immigration requirements. The e-visa may be issued for single or multiple entries, making it a convenient option for many international travelers.

Therefore, our former Vietnam Visa on Arrival approval-letter service is no longer necessary for most tourists. Travelers can apply directly through the official Vietnam Immigration e-visa system, complete the application online, pay the government fee electronically, and receive the result online. The official system currently lists the e-visa fees as US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information about Vietnam visas, e-visas, entry requirements, and application procedures, please use the official Vietnam Immigration website rather than relying on older visa-on-arrival information. Official Vietnam E-Visa Portal

GENERAL INFORMATION

Citizens of certain countries can enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of 14 to 30 days, depending on their nationality. Please see the Free Visa section below for more details.

Travelers from other countries generally need a Vietnam visa or e-visa before departure. Vietnam now offers e-visas valid for up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry options available.

The old Visa on Arrival system using a pre-approved approval letter is no longer necessary for most tourists. We recommend checking the latest requirements on the official Vietnam Immigration website before traveling, as visa regulations can change.

Free Visa

Citizens of several ASEAN countries can visit Vietnam without a visa for a limited stay. Citizens of most ASEAN countries – including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand – can stay for up to 45 days.

Citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. can currently visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry.

Visa Requirement

Travelers who need a visa should apply for a Vietnam e-visa before departure. Vietnam currently offers e-visas valid for up to 90 days, with options for single or multiple entry, making this a convenient choice for most international visitors.

The former Vietnam Visa on Arrival approval-letter system is no longer necessary for most tourists. Before traveling, check the latest Vietnam visa requirements and confirm the permitted land, waterway, and airport entry points through the official Vietnam Immigration website.

INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE

Our former Vietnam Visa on Arrival service was available only to customers who booked our guided motorbike tours or other services. We would arrange a pre-approval visa letter through the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi and send a copy to the customer by email.

To process the visa approval, we required the following information along with a clear copy of the passport photo page. The passport copy helped ensure that all details matched the application and reduced the risk of typing errors.

1. Your title (Mr./Mrs./Ms.):
2. Your full name exactly as shown on your passport:
3. Date of birth (dd/mm/yy):
4. Nationality:
5. Passport number:
6. Passport issue date (dd/mm/yy):
7. Passport expiration date (dd/mm/yy):
8. Proposed arrival date (dd/mm/yy):
9. Flight details:
10. Airport of arrival:
11. Purpose of visit (Vacation/Business/Family visit):

The former Visa on Arrival approval-letter service is no longer necessary for most tourists, as travelers can now apply directly for a Vietnam e-visa online. Please check the latest official Vietnam Immigration requirements before traveling.

Note About Visa on Arrival

With the former Vietnam Visa on Arrival approval-letter service, the approval letter would normally include several applicants on the same document. Basic details such as full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number were typically printed on the letter.

If you were concerned about privacy and preferred a private approval letter containing only your details, you could request this in advance. An additional fee might apply for a separate letter.

Most customers were comfortable with the standard shared approval letter, but we mention this detail so you could make an informed choice.

HOW TO GET A VISA ON ARRIVAL

Print the copy of the former visa approval letter we sent you and bring it with you to Vietnam. The letter could be printed in colour or black and white. Upon arrival, Immigration officers at the airport would check the approval letter and process the visa.

Download the Vietnam visa application form and complete both pages before your flight. You would also need a 4×6 cm passport photo attached to the form. Preparing the paperwork in advance could save time at the airport.

Bring two additional 4×6 cm passport photos with you, just in case they were needed during the visa process. After landing, travelers using the former Visa on Arrival system would follow the signs for “Landing Visa” or “Visa on Arrival” and proceed to the appropriate counter.

Pay the visa stamping fee in cash, normally in Vietnamese Dong (VND) or US dollars (USD), before receiving the visa. However, as the traditional Vietnam Visa on Arrival approval-letter system is no longer necessary for most tourists, travelers should now check the latest official Vietnam e-visa requirements before departure.

PRICES

The prices below refer to the former Vietnam Visa on Arrival system, including the pre-approved visa letter and airport stamping fee. These historical fees are provided for reference only, as most tourists can now apply directly for a Vietnam e-visa online.

Pre-Approval Visa Letter

The former approval-letter service charged a separate service fee depending on the visa type:

• One-month single entry: US$15
• One-month multiple entry: US$20
• Three-month single entry: US$20
• Three-month multiple entry: US$25

Visa Stamp

The former airport stamping fees were:

• Up to three months, single entry: US$25
• Up to three months, multiple entry: US$50

Visa fees and immigration regulations can change, so travelers should always check the latest Vietnam visa fees and requirements through the official Immigration Department before departure.

Visa for US Citizens

The previous system had different fees for US citizens, including higher fees for certain long-term multiple-entry visas. These historical rates should not be relied upon for current travel planning.

Today, US citizens who require a visa can generally apply for a Vietnam e-visa, with the current government fee depending on whether they choose single or multiple entry. Please check the official Vietnam e-visa portal for the latest rates.

The following information describes the former Vietnam visa application process through the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, DC. Visa fees, processing times, and application requirements may change, so travelers should verify the latest information with the Embassy before applying.

I. Total Visa Fee

• 30 days, single entry: US$80 per person
• 30 days, multiple entry: US$135 per person
• 90 days, single entry: US$110 per person
• 90 days, multiple entry: US$160 per person
• 6 months, multiple entry: US$180 per person
• 1 year, multiple entry – US passport holders only: US$220

II. Processing Time

Normal processing: 2-3 working days after receiving a complete application. For non-US passports, allow approximately 7-10 working days.

Express processing: An additional US$30 per visa for processing within approximately 24 hours after receiving a complete application.

III. What to Submit

• A passport or copy of the passport information page, depending on the visa type.
• A completed Vietnam visa application form.
• Passport-size photos as required.
• The applicable visa fee, payable according to the Embassy’s current payment instructions.
• A self-addressed prepaid return envelope if applying by mail.
• Non-US passport holders may be asked to provide additional documents, such as a residence card, flight itinerary, or hotel booking.

IV. Where to Submit

Applications were previously submitted to:

Consular Section – Embassy of Vietnam
1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036, USA

Before sending your passport or payment, please confirm the current Vietnam visa application procedures, fees, address, and processing times directly with the Vietnamese Embassy, as the information above may no longer reflect current requirements.

UPDATE ON GETTING A VISA ON ARRIVAL

The information below is based on travelers’ experiences with the former Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA) system at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport. It is provided for historical reference, as most tourists can now use a Vietnam e-visa instead.

Previously, travelers arriving with a visa approval letter had to visit the Visa on Arrival / Visa Pre-Approval counter before proceeding to passport control. They would present their approval letter, passport, passport photos, completed application form, and the applicable visa stamping fee in cash.

The traditional process involved waiting at the visa counter while Immigration processed the application. Once the visa was issued and placed in the passport, travelers could proceed to passport control.

Note

The old Visa on Arrival procedure and fees described above are outdated. Today, travelers who require a visa should generally apply for a Vietnam e-visa before departure. Check the latest official requirements before traveling, including passport validity, visa validity, entry points, and applicable fees.

If you still have questions or suggestions about Vietnam visas for tourists, please contact us. Our team will be happy to provide information about Vietnam visa requirements and help you understand the current entry procedures.

E-VISA

You can now apply for a Vietnam e-visa online directly through the Vietnam Immigration Department. The e-visa is available to travelers from eligible countries and can be valid for up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry options.

For the latest information and to submit your application, please visit the official Vietnam e-visa website before traveling.

More Add-ons from Offroad Vietnam Adventure Travel

In addition to our Vietnam motorbike tours, we can also help arrange several useful travel services:

• Hotel accommodation in Hanoi
• Airport transfers
• Support truck for motorbike tours
• Motorbike riding lessons in Hanoi
• Travel insurance

These additional services can help make your Vietnam motorcycle adventure easier and more convenient from arrival to departure.