Vietnamese Visa, Visa for Vietnam

Moonchild

And you can now get a Visa On Arrival into Vietnam.

However, and this is the critically important phrase 'through your Tour Operator' - if you are travelling independently - I have no idea.

If, and I know most of you won't, you have booked with a good tour operator they can organise a VoA for you. Yes, you still need to send information off in advance as it gets approved in Hanoi, yes, it still costs (circa £35), and yes, you still need to take passport pictures with a form with you, but you do not need to be heading to the embassy before you fly.

And just in case that's not clear, read it again. You cannot just turn up without your VoA having been pre-approved.

Mr_Lahey

Moonchild wrote: »

And you can now get a Visa On Arrival into Vietnam.

However, and this is the critically important phrase 'through your Tour Operator' - if you are travelling independently - I have no idea.

If, and I know most of you won't, you have booked with a good tour operator they can organise a VoA for you. Yes, you still need to send information off in advance as it gets approved in Hanoi, yes, it still costs (circa £35), and yes, you still need to take passport pictures with a form with you, but you do not need to be heading to the embassy before you fly.

And just in case that's not clear, read it again. You cannot just turn up without your VoA having been pre-approved.

I heard about this, but then read this on the official Vietnam Embassy website:

"The Embassy of Vietnam in London is the sole authority responsible for issuing Vietnamese visas in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The Embassy is not aware of nor take responsibility for any liability, loss, error, damage etc caused by other missions, entities, authorities etc."
http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/#VISA

Whilst i understand there are alternative methods, it appears that any subsequent problems caused by other places offering Visas will simply be brushed aside. And given that Vietnam requires Visas prior to travel it makes much more sense in my opinion to go through the legitimate embassy rather than risk your entire holiday in Vietnam for the sake of saving a few quid.

Mr_Lahey

This is what it should look like as of 14/5/10 issued from London:

Moonchild

Yeh - just to re-iterate if you're travelling independently, don't go down this path.

However, since late last year, Tour Op's can get it processed in Hanoi. There's no risk - it gets approved by the relevant government office there, and as you need to do it 30 days before leaving, you get advised in plenty of time if there are any problems.

A colleague did it in December - 1st time i've heard of it. Said it was an absolute doddle, and no problems at all. There is a 'Visa on Arrival' desk at Ho Chi Minh Airport (as there is at Hanoi) - you simply go there and they have a list of pre-approved visas and stamp your passport accordingly.

But remember you have to have it approved in advance.

jammin_2

I just got a visa on arrival when I entered Moc Bai from Bavet.

Mr_Lahey

jammin wrote: »

I just got a visa on arrival when I entered Moc Bai from Bavet.

Well i don't know how because you need a visa prior to arrival - Would you post up a photo of the Visa you got by simply turning up at the border from Cambodia?

Tojo_Ralph

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

Would just like to update this thread....

I did wonder why you would be updating someone elses thread ..... the penny has finally dropped.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/31146903#Comment_31146903

jammin_2

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

Well i don't know how because you need a visa prior to arrival - Would you post up a photo of the Visa you got by simply turning up at the border from Cambodia?

Do you not believe me?

It was in September 2006, I don't have that passport any more.

Mr_Lahey

jammin wrote: »

Do you not believe me?

It was in September 2006, I don't have that passport any more.

It is not that I don't believe you, it is just the embassy in London says that it is impossible, the Vietnam Lonely Planet book I have just checked says it is impossible.

Perhaps it was different in 2006 I do not know, but let me clarify that as of 2009 you most certainly cannot turn up at any border in Vietnam and get a Visa.

jammin_2

Yes I think you're right. A quick Google for Moc Bai visa arrival returned:

Bavet Checkpoint: Moc Bai, Vietnam / Bavet, Cambodia (Route 1 to Phnom Penh)
Cambodian visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas NOT available at the border.

http://www.canbypublications.com/cambodia/overland.htm#Bavet

Pity.