The embassy will take at least five working days to process your documents. Once your documents are processed, you will be issued a fully stamped Visa. One of the biggest benefits of applying for Visa through the embassy is that you will get a fully stamped Visa in your hand before leaving for Vietnam. However, there are some problems that you will have deal with in this procedure. You will have to travel to the embassy location several times before the process is complete. Also, you will have to send across your documents to the embassy through postal mail.
The easier alternative to this procedure is the Visa on Arrival procedure. In order 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 and key in details such as your name, occupation, purpose of visit, duration of stay etc. While filling up the purpose of visit section, you will have to choose from options such as business, tourist and transit. A business Visa comes with a validity of one month, three months and six months. A tourist Visa comes with a validity of one month and transit Visa comes with a validity of less than five days.
Online applications are processed in a period of two to three days. Once your application is processed, you will be issued a letter of approval. This letter of approval can be collected by your travel agent on your behalf and he can have it forwarded to you. 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 you will have to submit the Visa stamping fees in order to collect your Visa on Arrival document.
It is to be noted that the Visa on Arrival facility to travelers who arrive in Vietnam by air. For those taking land routes it is mandatory that they carry all their documents while travelling to Vietnam. In case of a cruise ship, the cruise authorities can be contacted for information on Visa on Arrival.
