Vietnam Visa Question - Single/Multiple Entry

[sadlier]

Thanks everyone for the trip tips.

Is there any preferred currency?

I'm thinking take some smaller USD denominations, small AUD notes, exchange some AUD for VND on arrival and have backup ATM access.

There are ATM's everywhere and in the centre of Saigon there are plenty belonging to ANZ and HSBC.

At the airport on arrival there are none inside but if you go right as you leave they are at the end of the building around the corner and out of sight.

The ATM's all issue in VN Dong.

 

[k_sheep]

A problem I found though was some ATMs would give out a maximum of 1 or 2million dong. Bit annoying if you're trying to take out a decent chunk!

 

[ANDREW]

Hi - How did the trip go - have apec so presumably no visa needed or do you still line up for one once there ? Want to go via Hong Kong - is there a good travel agent that specializes in that direction from Syd ? Andrew

 

[albatross710]

Hi ANDREW, the trip to Saigon now seems so long ago, it has been a long hard year.

Looking back on the experience we were very happy with JQ getting us to/from the country. For the price we paid it was good value.

With the VISA we obtained from the Canberra VN Consulate prior to travel. It was turned around within 3 days BNE - BNE.

We used Tripadvisor to obtain good value budget accom. Friendly people, good VN breakfast and clean rooms. ~US$30-35/nite for 2. Free wi-fi abounds.

We had the hotel arrange taxis to/from the airport. Much easier. We found the VN taxi drivers were a constant source of frustration. Numerous stories floated around the hotel hallways about tourists being ripped off.

We did do a trip to Vung Tau which in hindsight we would have reconsidered and taken the Ankor Wat trip if we had multi-entry visas. Prior to going to VN I didn't appreciate how easily travel was between VN & Cambodia.

The Mekong Delta homestay was a highlight and memories will be with us for life.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

We had the hotel arrange taxis to/from the airport. Much easier. We found the VN taxi drivers were a constant source of frustration. Numerous stories floated around the hotel hallways about tourists being ripped off.

You have to grab one of "real" taxis and avoidthe "fake" ones. The real ones use the meter and are no hassle.


The Mekong Delta homestay was a highlight and memories will be with us for life.

We just didthis fewdays back andagree itwasa real highlight.

TIP: At least for me cash gets better rate than Wizard.

Including any fees: The Wizard converts at 16660 VN whereas cash gets 17200 (if you look around)

 

[albatross710]

TIP: At least for me cash gets better rate than Wizard.

Including any fees: The Wizard converts at 16660 VN whereas cash gets 17200 (if you look around)

Agree, many vendors were willing to accept AUD & USD and usually had a better rate than the banks. USD accepted everywhere and always a better rate than banks.

 

[matteo]

[FONT=&quot]You can get instant visa when arriving at Hanoi price is around $21,- USD if I remember right. Note that visa on arrival is used for air entry, not land entry.

Another option is the Vietnamese Embassy but then you have to send your passport to them.

[/FONT]

 

[matteo]

Mai Linh taxi is good for you. It belongs to the army so the scam will be minimized. U can use it without thinking of being high charged.

 

[k_sheep]

Digging up an old thread because I'm going to Hanoi next month on a whim - what is the official line on the visas these days? Last time I sent my passport to canberra - not so keen on that this time because of limited passport space and the $80 price tag!

For on arrival visa (time is less important than money so happy to wait in queue!) do you need to have an approval letter (such as the ones provided for ~US$21 in the thread so far), and then get charged the US$25 stamping fee? Or is there a "true" visa on arrival where you just turn up and pay your $$?



edit: I'll be in malaysia for 2 weeks before heading to VN, another option may be to get a visa there somehow??

 

[ArseneV]

k-sheep,

Yes, you do need an approval letter. It's only Visa on Arrival if you have the letter.
They will be expecting you and the process is quite straight forward. Just make sure you have everything filled out beforehand to save time!

 

[ethernet]

Don't arrive without either a visa or visa approval letter(air option only).

Vn Visa in .au. I think its still a bit rich $75 plus postage in Canberra - which is why so many people are doing the visa two step. You also loose $5 on sacrificing one aussie passport page - Embassy seems ignorant or indifferent on this impost.

If you were ignorant (no visa paperwork on arrival), buying a ticket to Phu Quoc Island might be a side angle. The tourist reviews of the island are mixed and indifferent - ordinary beach. OTOH in Oct-Dec sea currents should be more favorable than the other side.

Canberra charges ex-Vietnamese Nationals $20 odd for a 5 year visa exception now. In theory they were supposed to be available years ago, but now apparently gettable.

Now, as Malaysia has an visa exception, I think the cost there is quite steep to Brits and Aussies - they price discriminate on nationality.

So that way it is $15 odd + 25odd on arrival if by air -a saving of $40 for standing in line a bit (using Vietnam Visa Application, Business & Tourist Visa Vietnam ) can form a baseline

From 1st September 2007 Overseas Vietnamese and their families will be able to obtain five-year visa exemption certificate...- Not more than 30 days: for citizens of Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos. - Not more than 15 days: for citizens of Japan and South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Russian Federation (from 1 Jan 2009).


For what is is worth the Australia Vietnam Free Trade agreement

http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/fta/asean/aanzfta/index.html
Looks like it did not touch Visa costs, and Chapter 11 - Fairness. Just ask Jetstar and Air Asia to observe words against actual practice, or new laws were foreigners can't own property or easily expatriate money.


Hanoi is OK, but can be cold. Take something warm, if you are bigger than XL, where local clothe sizes stop. If going to Ha-Long Bay, make sure to get in writing

you can BYO onboard otherwise it will be USD $4 Can onboard. Vodka is the standout bargain in Hanoi, or their rice brew for $4 odd for 2 litres to make Vodka and mint mojitos.




​

 

[WA flyer]

I used a visa agency for the approval letter, which I received within a couple of days.

It's best to get to the visa office quickly at Ho Chi Minh or you may have a long wait!

 

[ethernet]

I used a visa agency for the approval letter, which I received within a couple of days.

It's best to get to the visa office quickly at Ho Chi Minh or you may have a long wait!

Use Google. Type in Vietnam Visa $9 and that is how much the pre-approval letter costs, and you get it back with other peoples details, passport numbers and arrival dates.
Arrived - moved fast, but had a 40 minute wait and ONE photo. Then as they knew they were a bit slow waved me to diplomatic line - no waiting - it was stamp and go.

Vietnam still discourages tourism by needing a whole blank page for a Visa. I wonder if they would stick it over an old visa. Oh well, another few months and they will devalue perhaps by 9% or so.

 

[albatross710]

Prior to travelling to VN at Christmas we obtained our visas from the Canberra consulate office. Turnaround time was as advertised.

When we arrived into da Nang on Christmas eve it was so nice just to breeze through. Da Nang has a wonderful new and efficient airport and the queue at the 'on arrival visa' window did move reasonable quickly. There were a couple of travelers that were held up with some issue.

Anyway, with a family of four traveling it was nice to be able to just breeze through knowing our visas were already in place.

My experience is if you have the time prior to departing Australia, get the Visa and avoid the queues altogether.

Alby

 

[dacnk]

How to apply
There are two options:
1- Contact the embassy of Vietnam in your country to obtain the visa before you arrive Vietnam. The procedures are quick and simple.
vietnamsvisa.com/vietnam-embassy/

Or

2- Obtain the letter of approval to pick up the visa upon arrival at Vietnam airport

Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA) : Vietnam Visa granted at international airports of Vietnam. This is distinct from not requiring a visa at all but traveller must obtain the approval letter from Vietnam Immigration Department (Government) then can get visa at landing visa office at Vietnam airports on arrival to pass through immigration

Service fee: Applicant has to pay us full service fee in advance to process the visa approval letter in 1 working day (urgent service) or 2 working days (normal service) and 4 working hours (super urgent service

Stamping fee 2013: To get your visa stamped at Vietnam airports, you pay this stamping fee directly to the Immigration Officer by cash at Immigration Desk/ Counter. Your approval letter will be the legal evidence to show the airport Officer that you are allowed to legally enter Vietnam by the Vietnam Immigration Department

<redacted>

 

[ethernet]

Above post is a money for service ad. They want $16, elsewhere you can get it for $9 - so pass them up and keep on googling. If you have a family, NOT visiting Vietnam is smart - you save $100's of dollars- Aussies pay $85 Visa Fee at Canberra Embassy.

The Vietnam Vista Stamping fee on arrival is $45 in USD currency - Plus you gotta pay another $9 to $30 each for some hokey pre-approval paper, plus your time standing in a line. Why visit a country doing its best to turn away Australian, North American and German tourism - and yes, those numbers have dropped like a stone. Visit Thailand instead. No visa fees.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....news/vietnam-visa-arrival-fee-80-a-45012.html

Tourism Dives after 80% Visa Increase Fee: VIETNAM NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF TOURISM
Given Thailand's numbers are up 6-8%, I guess people are voting with their feet. Given holiday duration is down, I kinda feel sorry for the Vietnamese suffering from the downturn.

Yes, Russian, Korean and Chinese tourism is strongly up - put they spend all their money in 'Tied' travel and they have visa concessions, with hotel, bus and food all owned by non Vietnamese interests.