How to get Visa to Vietnam
Most travellers who intend to visit Vietnam will require a tourist Visa and will need to get it ready before they take off. Typically, Visa applications would be made to the Vietnamese embassy in the traveller’s country, however, this can prove to be rather time consuming and costly. Plus, can you imagine going to the embassy only to find that they’re closed due to a Vietnamese public holiday? Not fun.
Thankfully, the Vietnamese Immigration Department has decided to issue Visas on Arrival, which means you can get your Visa when you arrive in the country. Before you pack your bags and fly in, though, you’ll need to get a Visa approval letter, which means your application details have been checked and verified online. You’ll receive the approval letter by email, and you can then print it out and bring it with you. It’s important to note that the airline won’t let you board the plane without the letter.
Vietnamese Visas on arrival are only available via airport entries, and not border crossings. For those who’ve decided to enter Vietnam via Cambodia, China or Laos, and are far away from home, don’t despair, you can make use of the ‘Visa Run service.’ This simply means your passport will be collected by a ‘runner,’ who will then have it processed at a Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia, China or Laos. This costs quite a bit more, but it will save you time. Some people swear by it, because it means you can go ahead and enjoy your holiday while a runner gets things done for you.