Visa for Vietnam

[Big Boy]

I have been considering a short break to Vietnam. However, the process to obtain a visa is coming across as an absolute nightmare.

The Vietnamese Consulate in Thailand website is as useful as a chocolate fireguard http://www.vietnamembassy-thailand.org/en/ . It doesn't help one little bit.

The Vietnamese Consulate in Australia website warns of scam websites (and list 8 of them) being set up to extort money for visas.

I've found some very attractive online air fares, but I'm being told that I have to pay a travel agent $25 US for a letter (no idea what this letter has to say). This surely has to be a travel agent scam. It will then cost me an extra $40 US when I get to Vietnam.

I've been reading on here for a couple of years what an attractive country Vietnam would be to settle in compared with Thailand, yet I can't even manage a brief 4 day visit.

Can anybody please advise me in simple terms how to gain entry into Vietnam without being ripped off. I've been trying to find a way through this most of the day, but I can not find any clear instructions outside of a scam website.

[Ginjaninja]

I used this company BB: http://www.vietnamvisa.org and they came through.
The letter is like an L.O.I. I applied for an emergency 24hr visa ('approval letter') because I completely forgot I required a visa despite working there twice previously....
Just make sure you have the letter and $s for the entry visa on your person when you travel.
I.M.O. Vietnam doesn't compare with Thailand however I really recommend flying to Hanoi and doing a Halong bay cruise
Cheers,
GN.

[Pagey]

Or read the PM I sent you 7 months ago when you inquired then about visiting Vietnam.

Here is the extract about obtaining the visa.

Prior planning : Thai people do not need a visa to enter Vietnam, most Western people, incl Brits, do. A quick check on the internet will confirm if you do or not. IMO this is best ordered in advance but can be obtained from the Vietnam embassy in Bkk but I believe it is a 2 day process. There are many companies who offer to prepare your visa in advance to be obtained on arrival. I used http://www.vietnamstay.com. The fee for their service is 15 USD. They email you a form which you complete with your passport details and date of travel etc and email back to them. They then return you 2 forms by email which you print out. One has already been lodged with the Vietnam embassy and the details are also at the airport arrivals with all your details. You complete the other one and attach a passport photo to it.

Edit : Just checked the date sent and it was a year ago.

[Big Boy]

Thanks guys

I'd better start with an apology to Pagey . I honestly don't remember. I've checked my PMs and there's nothing there - I can only assume I've deleted it. 7 months ago I was in and out of hospital (not that it is an excuse), and I've obviously mislaid it somehow.

I've checked it out, and it looks good. I will go through it in detail tomorrow.

Ginjaninja, thank you for your site also. It's name is very close to one of the scam websites, and even though you've obviously used it successfully, I've opted for Pagey's site as a precaution.

I knew there had to be a way through this, but the warning and listing of scam websites really put me on my guard. Looks as though I'm going to spend some money tomorrow .

[buksida]

Getting the visa is a breeze, I used Aurora Travel (nguyenhuong@auroratravel.asia), paid 15 bucks via Paypal and received the letter a few days later. The visa on arrival is a further 20 bucks, made a lot easier with this letter. Thais travel visa free.

We stayed here in Hanoi: http://www.thejasminehotel.com/
They are so friendly and will arrange any trips and tours you want.

Here is the write up: http://ontheroadasia.com/halong-bay.php

[Big Boy]

Yes, I knew it couldn't be that hard, but I became paranoid yesterday when the only useful thing on the Vietnam Consulate's website was the list of scam visa operators that are still operating. It is difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff using the Internet alone, and in the end I had to come here for 'recommendations', which were forthcoming as usual.

Regarding the Jasmine Hotel, I checked that out yesterday, and it looks perfect for what we need - thank you.

All being well, I'll book later today.

[Bristolian]

I stayed at the Jasmine Hotel for a couple of days, on business, about 6 months ago and can thoroughly recommend it. It's located in the old town area which makes it perfect for walking around and shopping/eating in the evening.

[Big Boy]

A quickie - this'll be my first time out of Thailand since retiring. Are there any limitations on how soon I can get my re-entry permit from Immigration?

[buksida]

No, you can get it at any time and use it at anytime before your extension renewal date.

[Nereus]

A quickie - this'll be my first time out of Thailand since retiring. Are there any limitations on how soon I can get my re-entry permit from Immigration?

The form requires the dates to be filled in, but it does not mean anything. Same goes for the reason you want the permit.
They have reopened the office at Swampy, but it is much less hassle to get it in Hua Hin.

[Big Boy]

Thanks guys

[dotx]

Vietnam is a beautiful place to visit. More interesting than Thailand, great for tourism. It is HORRIBLE as a country to live in. I mean, it's a nightmare. I lived there for over a year and hated pretty much everything about it. It's also much more expensive than Thailand (rents are at least twice and so is Western food).

Go visit, have fun and then come back

But if you need tips on things to do in Hanoi or around the area, I can probably help!

[Big Boy]

OMG, paranoia is setting in again. I've used Pagey's link. I eventually got it to accept my passport travel details, and even received an e-mail advising same. I then provided my card detail - all that I got back was a little blue box - no text.

There is an online 'check your status' facility - I have no status

I've tried e-mailing them, but no response. Not sure what to do now. I was told yesterday that I was making mountains out of molehills because this is Asia, and with a little money to grease the wheels everything works out. They've got my card detail and I've got no status. Ignoring my e-mails.

Feeling nervous...............

[Frank Hovis]

Can you check your card online?
It could be that your bank has kindly declined the transaction without bothering to tell you.

[Big Boy]

I've made several transactions today (others were successful), but online banking has not updated yet.