Vietnam visa on arrival or pre-approval letter is only legally used for air entry, not land entry. Visa on arrival is legitimate and posted in Vietnam immigration laws: http://www.mofa.gov.vn/vi/ct_lanhsu/vbpl/nr040831084533/copy2_of_ns04083... - so it is endorsed by the Vietnamese Government.
Unlike other countries in the World, Vietnam visa on arrival means that your must have pre-approved letter from Vietnam Immigration Department in advance. At Vietnam airport (Noi Bai, Da Nang or Tan San Nhat), you will see "LANDING VISA" counter before you check out, coming to the "Landing visa" counter, show the pre-approved letter for checking on the system then wait for your visa stamped on your passport.
It may be confused as visa on arrival normally means that you can buy it at airport without preparing anything. In some countries, it is true. Yet, in Vietnam, it will be a too late or impossible to get into Vietnam if you have no pre-approval.
Pre-approval letter is a must!
Be aware that tourist visas specify the point of entry into Vietnam. For most travelers, this is either the Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City airport. You must state on your application form which airport you will arrive at and this will be stamped into your visa.
Thing to do:
- Print out the pre-approved letter for picking up visa upon arrival Vietnam at the airport.
- You should prepare in cash for paying stamp fee at the airport
- 2 passport size photos (4x6cm)
- Filling Application Form for enter and exit Vietnam. This form will be attached with the pre-approval letter. However, most of the other westerners going through passport control lacked this crucial piece of paper
For saving your time at Vietnam airport, you should also download, print, glue your photo(s) and fill all the information into the on arrival form in attached file IN ADVANCE.
