Procedures at Vietnam Airport

On reaching Vietnam, you’d be asked for your passport and visa at the check-in counter, irrespective of the country you’ve come from. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months, and the visa document you hold, must either be an actual visa that could be obtained through a Vietnamese consulate/ embassy, or a visa approval letter that could be obtained through a travel agency, for instance, OfficialVietnamVisa.

Now, when you arrive at any of the three Vietnamese airports, (Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh City), you’d first notice the immigration office, with prominent signage saying Visa On Arrival or Landing Visa.

- If you’ve come with a visa stamp on your passport, you can straight away go to the customs area, give your passport to the concerned authorities for checking, and the head to the baggage collection area.

- On the other hand, in case of a visa on arrival, you will have to produce the following documents at the counter.

• Passport
• Visa approval letter
• Vietnam entry and exit form
• 2 passport size photographs
• Stamping fee in cash

It takes approximately 15-20 minutes for the visa to process, based on the day, and the time you arrive at the airport. However, visa on arrival desk is open for 24 hours, and therefore, regardless of the time you arrive, you’d be able to avail the visa on arrival service.

Important Point to Remember

While departing from Vietnam, you only have to show your passport at the immigration counter before you head towards the security check. In case you happen to overstay your visa, you may have to pay the stipulated penalty. Hence, ensure that you note down and be mindful about the date.