Vietnam Visas Can Be Confusing

In April 2016, the United States and Vietnam ratified an agreement permitting 12-month, multiple-entry visas for visitors to and from both countries. But according to recent reports, since then information has been confusing at times, and agents are being called in to ensure clients don’t experience any issues.

A recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution said that “once the new visa regulations went into effect, we found that 12-month visas were the only ones available, instead of the former 30-day visa option. And the fee had skyrocketed.”

Travel Market Report visited the Vietnam Embassy’s website, but it is not very helpful and we couldn’t find any pricing listed.

The website says simply that “visa fees must be in the form of MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK, or COMPANY CHECK payable to ‘EMBASSY OF VIETNAM.’ or Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) if applying in person at the Embassy.”

According to the Journal Constitution article, the Washington, D.C., embassy cited a $220 fee via e-mail, but the Houston consulate quoted $200, and San Francisco, $185. A later email response from the San Francisco consulate “offered an $80 visa for a one-month, single-entry visit.”

Leslie Overton, executive vice president of Absolute Travel in New York, said she believes that the reason for the differences in price and length of visa is that a change in the fall now allows for the single-entry option. “I think Vietnam was trying to ffer a long-term visa like China and India do, but found that didn’t make sense for travelers,” Overton said.

Agents plan ahead for clients
The Government of Vietnam and the U.S. Department of State recommend that travelers obtain a visa directly from an Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam prior to arrival, and caution U.S. citizens about potential scam artists.

“It can be tricky since there are visa services that look official, but they are not,” said Gail Wolz, experiential travel designer specializing in luxury adventure and cultural vacations at TravelStore, Manhattan Beach, CA. “Make sure you are using an official embassy site for information and applications. Or the other option is to use a service, but it is not necessary and you may be paying higher fees for the service.”

“I have folks getting their Vietnam visas right now for an upcoming trip in late February,” said Susan Morley, director of fun at Journeys Around the World, Flagstaff, AZ. “We’re going through a visa company (I like CIBT), so that’s an added expense, but many like the convenience and assurance of knowing who is handling their passport and where they are in the process. Clients always complain about the visa costs and hassles (in South America, India and China too) but I haven’t received any particular comments/issues at the moment.”

But not everyone can get to an embassy or consulate in person, and some are afraid to submit their passport to the embassy for validation of their identity and citizenship.

Visas on arrival
Many travelers arrange to receive their visa on arrival in Vietnam. “Getting it ahead of time is best,” said Susie Cleary Chau, founder at Dabble in Travel, Chicago. “But if you can’t give up your passport then a visa on arrival is a good option.”

While the government of Vietnam has authorized some businesses and travel agencies to arrange for pre-approval for a “visa on arrival” at the airport, “some American citizens have reported being charged unexpectedly high fees and additional charges upon landing in Vietnam,” the U.S. State Department website warns.

“I’ve gotten a visa on arrival for Vietnam a couple times. It’s very easy if you are flying into a major airport (Hanoi, Da Nang or Nha Trang),” Cleary Chau said, though “there can be long wait times depending on when your client arrives.”

Other experienced agents cautioned their peers to learn more about the nuances of entry into certain countries like Vietnam, to protect clients from unforeseen issues.

“Visas are rarely straightforward,” said Lila Ermel Fox of SmartFlyer in Madisonville, LA. “For example, if you’re crossing into Vietnam by boat (e.g., aboard Aqua Mekong), you need a physical visa in your passport before departing your home country. If you’ll be entering Vietnam more than once on the same trip (like leaving Vietnam to visit Thailand and returning before flying home, for example). Just work with an agent.”