Vietnam offers two types of Vietnam visas you can choose from- visa on arrival and e-visa. Though both have essentially the same function- to allow an individual to enter the country- the two visas do differ in some aspects. In this blog, we’ll go through some of the pros and cons of the two types of visas so that you can decide which is the best option for you.
Vietnam visa-on-arrival is available for every person traveling to Vietnam. It is valid for either 1 month or 3 months depending on your choice (For US citizens, it is valid for 1 year). This type of visa is applicable for both single and multiple entries.
Vietnam visa on arrival holders can enter through any of the 8 international airports in Vietnam. In order to get a visa-on-arrival, you need to pay 2 kinds of fees, a visa stamping fee and an approval fee to be paid to the agency handling your visa application. After you apply for a visa-on-arrival, you can pick it upon arrival, like the name suggests, at the airport, you land in.
Please note that you will need a visa approval letter beforehand. You can apply for a visa approval letter here. The stamp is received in your passport after reaching the airport and producing your approval letter to the competent authority. The entire processing time of a visa-on-arrival is around 2 to 7 business days.
Learn more about how you can apply for a Vietnam visa here.
Vietnam e-visa is a visa that can be applied for online and is available to the citizens of 80 countries. It is valid for 1 month only and unlike a visa on arrival, it is applicable for a single entry.
E-visa allows the visa holder to come in through 33 entry points which include airport, seaport, and land. Unlike visa-on-arrival, you need to pay only one fee for an e-visa, a lump sum of $25 when applying for it.
For an e-visa, you can submit the application form and download the approved visa online. There is no requirement for a stamp on your passport. It usually takes around 3 business days to process the visa.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Vietnam visa-on-arrival | A single application can be made for a group | Visa stamping in the airport can be a bothersome experience with long |
| The visa approval letter process is done online | You can use this visa only when you arrive by air. | |
| Everyone is eligible no matter which country. | Visa fees can differ from one travel agency to another. | |
| You can enter through any of the 8 airports. | ||
| The processing time is fast and in some cases, it can be completed in a matter of hours. | ||
| Visa validity is easily extendable. | ||
| Vietnam e-Visa | The entire process is done online. | One application for one person only. |
| You will receive the visa before departure. | You are allowed to enter and leave Vietnam only from the checkpoints mentioned in the e-visa. | |
| There are 33 entry and exit points. | Only select countries are eligible. | |
| You have to pay only one fee. |
There you have it, a brief comparison between Vietnam visa-on-arrival and e-visa. Both the Vietnam visas have their own pros and cons that you need to consider carefully before applying.
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