Vietnam Tourist Visa on Arrival requires an approval letter obtained before travel and a physical visa stamp at the designated airport arrival counter in Vietnam. Indian travellers choose this route when their entry airport supports VOA and they prefer this process over the e-visa route.
This guide is for Indian tourists arriving at designated Vietnam airports on visa on arrival. Vietnam visa rules and processing timelines can change — treat this as a practical planning reference and confirm final requirements before applying.
Vietnam Tourist Visa on Arrival — specification table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Visa on Arrival — approval letter issued before travel, stamp at airport |
| Purpose | Tourism, sightseeing, leisure, family visits |
| Eligible Entry | Designated international airports only (NOT land borders or seaports) |
| VOA Eligible Airports | Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), Da Nang, Nha Trang (Cam Ranh), Phu Quoc, Hai Phong (Cat Bi), Van Don, Hue (Phu Bai), Can Tho |
| Validity Options | 1 month (30 days) or 3 months (90 days) |
| Entry Options | Single or multiple entry |
| What You Carry | Approval letter printout, completed stamping form, passport, 2 photos, stamping fee (USD cash) |
| Processing | Normal (4 days), Urgent (2 days), Super Urgent (1 day) |
How this compares to similar options
Tourist Visa on Arrival is airport-only. Vietnam e-visa is valid at all ports including land borders and seaports. If you are arriving by land from Cambodia or Laos, or by cruise ship, e-visa is the only option. If you are flying into one of the designated VOA airports and prefer the approval letter process, VOA is a valid route.
Tourist VOA: approval letter and airport arrival process
- Confirm your arrival airport is on the VOA eligible list before applying
- Print your approval letter clearly — soft copies may not be accepted at the VOA counter
- Complete the Vietnam immigration form (available at the airport) before joining the VOA queue
- Carry 2 recent passport-size photos to submit at the VOA stamping counter
- Carry USD cash for the visa stamping fee — not all airports accept cards at VOA counters
Common mistakes Indian applicants make
Tourist VOA applicants most commonly forget to print the approval letter and arrive with only a digital copy. Some VOA counters in smaller airports do not accept digital approval letters. Printing the approval letter clearly before travel avoids this issue entirely.
How Visa Expertz helps
Our team reviews passport scans, photos, travel dates, purpose documents, and application details before submission. Start with Vietnam Visa on Arrival and we will guide you to the correct processing tier and visa category based on your departure date and travel purpose.
Practical tip before you apply
At the VOA counter, the queue can be longer than the regular immigration queue during peak seasons. If you arrive at a busy Vietnam airport during a holiday weekend, the VOA queue can add 30 to 60 minutes to your arrival. Factor this into connection time planning if you have an onward domestic flight within Vietnam.
Note: Visa Expertz assists with travel-related Vietnam visa services only. No genuine agent can guarantee visa approval — final decisions rest with the relevant authority.
