Although there is the benefit of getting a fully stamped Visa ahead of your travel in this procedure, there are several drawbacks that you should be aware of. In case you decide to travel to the embassy location, you will incur huge travel and stay expenses as this procedure requires you to visit the embassy multiple times before the process is complete. In case, you are applying through correspondence, you stand to lose valuable documents such as your original passport which will have to be sent in through postal mail. 

The easier alternative to this procedure is the Visa on Arrival application procedure. 

• Apply for Visa on Arrival

The Visa on Arrival is easier, faster and more affordable. In order to apply for Visa on Arrival, you will have to get in touch with a travel agent based in Vietnam. You will be asked to fill up an online application form with details such as your name, occupation, dates of travel, duration of stay, purpose of stay etc. While filling the purpose of stay section, you will have to choose from three options – business, tourist and transit. A business Visa offers you a validity of one month, three months and six months. A tourist Visa offers you validity of one month and transit Visa offers you validity of less than five days. 

Once the form is filled, you will have to submit it for processing. The form will be processed in two or three working days and then you will be issued a letter of approval. The letter of approval can be collected by your travel agent on your behalf and have it sent to you. On reaching Vietnam, you can produce this letter of approval at the Visa on Arrival counter and collect your Visa on Arrival document. You will also be required to pay the Visa stamping fees along with the letter of approval. 

The Visa on Arrival facility is available to only those travelers who arrive in Vietnam by air.