How long does it take to get a visa to visit Vietnam?

There are two ways to apply Vietnam visa for foreign tourists. The fastest and most convenient way is to get Visa- On - Arrival. It means that passport holders will obtain a visa approval letter first and when arriving in Vietnam by airplane at any of 4 Vietnam international airports in Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang & Ho Chi Minh City, you will get Vietnam visa. It is called Vietnam Visa on Arrival. You need to show a hard copy of approval letter, at least 2 passport size photos and stamping fee (cash only) at Visa on Arrival counter. It is so simple and just takes you few minutes to get visa done. 

To apply Vietnam e-visa, please visit this website. You are required to fill all the exact personal information in visa application which is same with the information in your passport, the passport itself must be valid for 6 months, and the photos accompanied must be valid within 6 months and look mostly like you. And then make payment for the service fee with your Credit/ Debit Card /PayPal or pay via Western Union.

Normally, the approval letter is processed and emailed you within 3 business days (excluding Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays) after you finished your visa application and made your payment. Once you get the approval letter issued by Immigration Office, you cannot modify any information stated in the letter. In case you need to change these details or plan to arrive earlier than the approved date, you have to reapply for a new visa approval letter.

In urgent cases, you are able to have the approval letter within the time frame below and you must pay an additional fee.

• Same Day Processing (working day): If you submit your application and pay the fee before 12.00 PM Vietnam time on a working day, from Monday to Friday, you will receive your approval letter by 18:00 PM on the same working day.
• Next Day Processing (working day): If you submit your application and pay the fee before 12.00 PM Vietnam time on a working day, from Monday to Friday, you will receive your approval letter by 18:00 PM on the following (next) working day.

The second way to apply Vietnam visa is to come in person to Vietnam Embassy. You need to bring your valid passport to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy and here you will be instructed step by step. Once you have submitted your application, you will have to go back to the embassy to pick up your stamped visa after at least 3 working days. Visa fees will depend on the type of visa for which you are applying. Travelers can get the visa processed at any Vietnam Embassy in any country in order to enter Vietnam for tourism, business, or to visit relatives.