Vietnam visa - how did you apply?

[Adam B]

For various reasons I won't bore you with I am faced with a hassle of applying via email and then picking up next day in person from Vietnam Embassy in London during a working day. Also it costs £65 each, seems damn expensive for a 2 week, single entry visa.

Alternative is companies like this who send you an approval letter and you complete the visa process on landing at Hanoi airport in Vietnam. Much less hassle and it's only $45 each

www.vietnam-visa.com

Is there any catch?

[brissleboy]

IIRC, it certainly won't be less hassle, takes an age as so many people queue to do this! Get it beforehand, far better in my opinion and you can get on with your holiday!

Just my 2p's worth...

[Mobile Chicane]

Facing similar hassles with a trip to Togo and Benin. 'Explore' recommend Visa Swift. Not cheap but beats pissing around with embassies as everything can be done by post.

HTH.

[carreauchompeur]

The visa companies are the easiest way to do it, and much cheaper. I was a bit nervous about it but no probs whatsoever, and no need to send passport off either... It really is the main way people do it.

[Jackleman]

I've used myvietnamvisa.com twice now, both times it worked very smoothly.

[Adam B]

brissleboy said:

IIRC, it certainly won't be less hassle, takes an age as so many people queue to do this! Get it beforehand, far better in my opinion and you can get on with your holiday!

Just my 2p's worth...

Have you had to wait yourself then?

I have a 4.5 hour wait in Hanoi on the way out, to get a connecting flight so if this kills a bit of time it's no biggie

[Adam B]

carreauchompeur said:

The visa companies are the easiest way to do it, and much cheaper. I was a bit nervous about it but no probs whatsoever, and no need to send passport off either... It really is the main way people do it.

Who did you use?

[5potTurbo]

I went to Vietnam in 2008, and since I live in Luxembourg but travel a lot for work, I couldn't risk being without my passport by sending it away to get the visa.
I faxed the express request form to the Vietnamese Embassy in Laaandon, then went there a week or so later when I was in Laaandon on business, paid the fee and they put the visa in my passport immediately.

Hopefully I'll be going to Vietnam at the end of the year on business.

[craigb84]

Jackleman said:

I've used myvietnamvisa.com twice now, both times it worked very smoothly.

Have also used them but I needed to pay additional dollar at the visa desk when I turned up (can't remember why but possibly a lack of photos). There was no ATM in Hanoi Airport so I had to scrounge off another tourist.

[brissleboy]

Adam B said:

Have you had to wait yourself then?

I have a 4.5 hour wait in Hanoi on the way out, to get a connecting flight so if this kills a bit of time it's no biggie

No, but saw the queues, I did my visa with the Embassy prior to travel, no problems posting passport, was returned very swiftly.

[Iceman82]

Send it off in advance, it's an easy process and they don't take that long getting it back to you.

The line of people waiting to have theirs done when there made me glad I had got mine in advance.

[phumy]

But then i have been through HCMC quite a few times and the queue was nothing..so you take your chance.

[StevieBee]

carreauchompeur said:

The visa companies are the easiest way to do it, and much cheaper. I was a bit nervous about it but no probs whatsoever, and no need to send passport off either... It really is the main way people do it.

+1 on this. I have and continue to need visas quite often and having done this myself, I'd now always pay a bit of premium for someone else to hang around. I use Visa World - v.good and not too pricey.

[halfpenny43]

We went to Vietnam in March and did a "visa when you get there" - waited about 20 mins I think and no hassle at all with 30 or so other couples flying in from Hong Kong.

Would certainly do it again and would recommend this approach.

[American iv]

Jackleman said:

I've used myvietnamvisa.com twice now, both times it worked very smoothly.

I used these too without any problems. Thankfully I was first off the plane so waited about 20minutes, but the queue was huge as I went through Customs.