• Apply through the embassy
You can visit the embassy in a nearby nation to apply for Visa to Vietnam. At the embassy, you will have to fill up the Visa application form. Along with the duly filled form, you will have to submit one recent passport size photograph, one self-addressed envelope and original passport. Besides submitting these documents, you will have to pay the Visa fees too. The Visa fees can be paid to the Embassy of Vietnam by way of money order or cashier’s cheque.
The embassy will take at least five working days to process your documents. Once these documents are processed, you will be issued a fully stamped Visa. This Visa can now be used for easy travel. One of the advantages of applying through the embassy method is that you will have a fully stamped Visa in hand before traveling to Vietnam. However, there are several disadvantages. You will have to visit the embassy several times, which can be a hassle as it is time consuming and expensive.
If you decide to apply for Visa through correspondence, you will have to send in all your documents by postal mail. This is highly risky as there are high chances of your documents getting lost if your package is misplaced or lost in transit.
• Apply for Visa on Arrival
Visa on Arrival is faster and more convenient. To apply for Visa on Arrival, you will have to get in touch with a travel agent based in Vietnam. You will have to fill an online application form with details such as your name, occupation, duration of stay, purpose of visit etc. When filling the purpose of visit section, you will have to choose from options such as business, tourist and transit. Business Visa offers a validity of one month, three months and six months. Tourist Visa offers a validity of one month and transit Visa offers a validity of less than five days. If you are in Vietnam for transit reasons, you will have to move out within five days or else you will have to go to a third country.
Once your form in processed, you will be issued a letter of approval by the Vietnam Immigration authorities. On reaching Vietnam, you will have to submit this letter of approval at the Visa on Arrival counter of the airport you arrive in. Along with the letter of approval, you will have to submit the Visa stamping fees for your Visa on Arrival.
The Visa on Arrival facility is available only to travelers who arrive in Vietnam by air.