Vietnam forum

Posted from within Vietnam.

This 'transit visa' doesn't really exist and the exact procedure is dependent upon your carrier with VietNam Airlines getting the best option - free entry into VietNam to stay over at a hotel. Your passport is retained by them.

Additionally, the VietNam visa situation is in a bit of a state of flux as new provisions are being introduced. Yet furthering the situation is the particularly close relationship between the Lao and VN governments where the latter gives the former all sorts of breaks (and aid).

The key to the transit is whether you booked the ticket as a continuous journey or bought two tickets for the journey - i.e. Laos to VietNam and VietNam to New Zealand.

The final determinant is the length of the stop over (transit) in the airport.

If you have two tickets, purchased separately by yourself, I suggest that you check the Immigration Desk in Ha Noi's Noi Bai airport on arrival and before you enter VietNam. This is the counter where people pick up a Visa-on-Arrival (prearranged) in the Arrivals Hall.

The key thing is whether the air carrier from Laos to Ha Noi will let you board without a valid visa.

If you are forced to get a multiple entry endorsement (just a stamp and a couple of signatures) it will cost you about USD$20 and take a few days. Shop around, especially in Ha Noi. The Immigration Offices will not deal with you once inside the country as they haven't figured out how to ask you for a bribe.

Before surrendering your passports (if you buy an endorsement) I suggest you photocopy your passport data and VN visa pages so you can get accommodation! The visa fees can be paid in Dong - the government will accept Dong or US Dollars in settlement - so ignore travel agents demands for dollars, they are just out to make some extra money from currency exchange. (I always buy visas with Dong for visiting friends).

The last people to get accurate advice from is the consulate in NZ as they are often the last to hear of the latest visa changes.

Posted from within Vietnam.

I have spoken to immigration and they advised as long as you remain AIR SIDE and are leaving ON THE SAME DAY AS ARRIVAL in Ha Noi there is no need for a transit visa.

This information was obtained from HCMC but should be valid in Ha Noi, too.

Posted from within Vietnam.

Vietnamese embassies and consuls in many countries discourage people from getting a visa on arrival as it affects their local currency income and reduced income requires they purchase currency for expenses.

Of course you can get a visa on arrival - contact Joe Vu Phan at < joephanvu@gmail.com > or Skype < joephanvu > is a Travel Agent (bonded) that I use.

The process is simple. Send the contents of the data page of your passport to him, along with your home address and telephone number and he will submit your name to the Police (everything comes under this term).

Within a week you will get an approval (the visa authorisation office is swamped) letter which has a signature and rubber stamps on it.

YOU PRINT A COPY OF THIS FORM AND STAPLE IT TO YOUR PASSPORT.

Airlines occasionally require you to sign a waiver form as the database they use - based in Holland - lacks pre-approved visa information.

On arrival in HCMC, Da Nang or Ha Noi you go to the visa office (located in the arrivals halls) and present your letter. After 5-10 minutes your name will be called and they will require payment in Dong or Dollars and you are away!

Use it all the time for visitors coming over to see me,

Pre-arranged visas are also available through SOME land entry points.

Posted from within Vietnam.

NO VISA IS NEEDED for transit. Enjoy your coffee at the airport, buddy.

Hi -
My family will be staying in KL for a week and decided to go to HCMC for a day to have a look arround courtesy of some cheap Air Asia fares. We arrive at 8am and depart at 7pm and want to do a day tour. We will be travelling on Australian passports. Can anyone advise if this would qualify for a transit Visa or whether we need a 1 month tourist visa? My kids are 3 & 5 with their own passports. Does anyone know what the current rates are for adults and kids for the visa we need? Should we apply through Canberra or apply on arrival?
Any hep would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Gill

Hi

I know this is asked about but I didn't find clear answer, I am flying from Luang Prabang to Hanoi in Lao Airlines and immediately take a flight from Hanoi to Singapore in Tiger Airways. Do I need a transit visa for Vietnam?

thanks
jeevan

Hi all

I emailed the Vietnamese Embassy in London about this issue, as I am looking to arrive back in Hanoi via Air Asia after my original visa has expired, in order to catch a Southern China Airlines flight on elsewhere.

The embassy has told me: "If you just enter Vietnam for transit flight and staying at the aiport then you are not required for visa"

That is all they have said, so I have replied asking for clarification regarding using different airlines and how long I can spend in the airport between flights.