Detailed guide: Vietnam Tourist visa for Indian passport

This country has become one of the most preferred destinations for Indians to travel, not only because it is cheap but also the large variety of things to see and do in Vietnam.

When I went there for the first time, I might have been the only Indian under 25$ to visit Vietnam in my gap year. But, in the last few years there have been many Indians are visiting Vietnam, not only for business purpose but also for leisure and tourism.

Much information has already been written, but the following starter guide to get Vietnam tourist visa is written for the Indian traveler.

HOW TO FLY TO VIETNAM FROM INDIA?

There are no direct flights between Indian and Vietnam airports. The only option is to transit via a third country in South East Asia. The following are the options one could consider.

The major airports in Vietnam

• Tan Son Nhat International Airport (IATA: SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City
• Noi Bai International Airport (IATA: HAN) in Hanoi
• Da Nang International Airport (IATA: DAD) in Da Nang.

The three most popular airlines are – the national carrier Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and VietJet Air.

• Visa Thailand – There are plenty of flights from India to Thailand.
  One could fly Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Spice Jet, Thai Air or Air Asia to Bangkok and then fly to either Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Hanoi on Thai Air, Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines, Nok Air, Lion Air or VietJet.
• Visa Singapore – Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Spice Jet, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and Tiger Air files to Singapore
  Form most of the South Indian cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Bangalore. Check the airlines official website for more flights. From Singapore you could fly to HCMC, Da Nang or Hanoi either on Tiger Air, Singapore Airlines, Jet Star, VietJet and Vietnam Airlines.
• Visa Malaysia – First you need to fly to Kuala Lumpur either on Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Spice Jet, Air Asia, Malindo Air or Malaysia Airlines
  Then take another flight any of the cities in Vietnam. Options from KL to Vietnam include Air Asia, Jet Star, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and VietJet.

Remember you do not need a visa if you are transiting via any of the above countries and both your flights are booked under the same PNR.

VIETNAM TOURIST VISA FOR INDIAN

Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to visit Vietnam. But you do not need to visit the embassy for a visa. Here is how to do it.

Firstly, you need to get a Vietnam visa approval letter from one of the immigration approved travel agents like Visaonlinevietnam.com. This can be done online by visiting their website.

After you have applied for the visa approval letter online, in two or three days the travel agency will email you a letter from immigration department.

You have to print that letter at home and when you reach the airport in Vietnam, you need to show this letter along with your passport and the application form. A stamping fee is charged depending on the type of visa you applied for.

Do remember that, officially this type of Vietnam online visa is not Vietnam visa on arrival nor is it called Visaonlinevietnam.com.

Tips about Vietnam visa on arrival for Indian

1. All Indian passport holders can apply for Vietnam visa on arrival.
2. If they wish to obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival, they must obtain a Vietnam visa approval letter before their departure for Vietnam.
3. All Indian passport holders can apply for Vietnam visa on arrival.
4. Vietnam tourist visa for Indian passport holders can be online everywhere.
5. Indians should only apply for Vietnam visa on arrival if they travel to Vietnam by air.
6. Indians are not required to provide exact arrival date in their online application for visa on arrival. A planned date can be provided. But remember, they can arrive in Vietnam later than that date, but an early arrival is not arrival.
7. Indians do not need to contact any Vietnam embassy if they decide to get Vietnam visa on arrival. As visa on arrival is issued by Vietnam Immigration Department, there is no need to work with the embassy. Applicants only need to contact an online travel agent to submit their visa application and get visa approval letter.
8. They can arrive in Vietnam via an international airport in Vietnam which is different from the one provided in their application form.
9. Indians, who use visa on arrival, need to pay to kinds of fee: visa approval letter fee (service fee) to be paid to online travel agent for processing visa approval letter with the Vietnam Immigration Department; and stamping fee to be paid in cash to immigration officer at Vietnam airport to get full visa stamped.
10. To avoid time waiting in front of immigration counter at Vietnam airport to get visa stamped, Indians using visa on arrival can use fast-track service to have someone assist them to get visa quickly.