Vietnam offers a "Visa on Arrival" (VOA) option, but it's crucial to understand that it's not like the typical VOA you might experience in other countries where you simply show up at the airport and get a visa. For Vietnam, "Visa on Arrival" actually means getting a pre-approval letter online before you travel, and then getting the actual visa stamp at one of Vietnam's international airports.
Here's a breakdown of how Vietnam's Visa on Arrival works:

1. What is Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
It's a visa type specifically for travelers arriving by air at one of Vietnam's international airports. You must obtain a "visa approval letter" beforehand from a licensed Vietnamese visa agency. This letter acts as permission for you to board your flight and get your visa stamped upon arrival.

2. Who is eligible for VOA?
• Generally, foreigners who are outside Vietnam and wish to enter the country by air.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Vietnam.
• You must not fall under any categories prohibited from entry under Vietnamese law (e.g., using forged documents, having certain infectious diseases, being deported previously).

3. The Process - Step-by-Step:
• Step 1: Apply for a Visa Approval Letter Online.
o You'll need to find a reputable Vietnamese visa agency online. There isn't one single "official government website" for the approval letter, as these are typically facilitated by private agencies authorized by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
o Fill out their online application form with your personal details (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, planned entry/exit dates, port of entry, purpose of travel).
o Upload a copy of your passport data page and a recent passport-sized photo.
o Pay a service fee to the agency for processing the approval letter.
o Processing times vary, but standard is usually 2-5 working days. Urgent services are often available for a higher fee (e.g., 1-2 working days, or even a few hours).

• Step 2: Receive Your Approval Letter.
o The agency will email you the official visa approval letter (a scanned copy). This letter will list your name (and sometimes other applicants if it's a group letter) and confirm that you are approved to get a visa upon arrival.
o You'll also typically receive an "Entry/Exit Form" (Form NA1) to fill out.
o Print this letter and the Entry/Exit Form! You'll need hard copies.

• Step 3: Prepare Documents for Arrival.
o Printed visa approval letter.
o Completed Entry/Exit Form (Form NA1).
o Your original passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, with at least two blank pages).
o Two recent passport-sized photos (4x6 cm or 2x2 inches, white background, no glasses/hat).
o Cash for the stamping fee (USD is preferred, but VND is often accepted).
+ Currently, the stamping fee is typically USD $25 for a single-entry visa and USD $50 for a multiple-entry visa.

• Step 4: Get Your Visa Stamped at the Airport.
o Upon arrival at one of Vietnam's international airports (e.g., Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc), look for the "Landing Visa" or "Visa on Arrival" counter.
o Present your passport, printed approval letter, completed Entry/Exit Form, and photos to the immigration officer.
o Pay the stamping fee in cash.
o Wait for the officer to process your application and stamp the visa into your passport.
o Crucially, double-check all the details on your new visa stamp (name, passport number, visa type, validity dates) before leaving the counter. If there are any errors, get them corrected immediately.
o After getting your visa, proceed to the regular immigration counter for entry into Vietnam.

Important Considerations:
• Air Travel Only: VOA is strictly for those arriving by air. If you're entering by land or sea, you'll need to obtain a visa in advance from a Vietnamese embassy/consulate or apply for an e-visa (if eligible).
• No Official Government Website for Approval Letters: As mentioned, the approval letter service is usually provided by authorized private agencies. Be sure to use a reputable one to avoid scams.
• E-Visa vs. VOA: Vietnam also has an e-visa system available to citizens of many countries. The e-visa is applied for and received entirely online before you travel, and you simply present the printed e-visa at immigration upon arrival. It offers up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, for a fee of USD $25 (single) or USD $50 (multiple). For many travelers, the e-visa is a simpler process if your nationality is eligible, as it bypasses the need for the approval letter and the additional stamping fee at the airport. You can apply for an e-visa on the official Vietnam National Electronic Visa system website: evisa.gov.vn (Note: As of November 2024, the website might move to thithucdientu.gov.vn and evisa.gov.vn).
• Passport Validity: Always ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining from your date of entry.
• Photos: Have recent, standard passport-sized photos ready.
• Cash for Stamping Fee: This is essential as credit card payments are generally not accepted at the VOA counter.

Given the option of the e-visa, it's often a more streamlined choice for many nationalities, allowing you to avoid the VOA counter altogether. However, if your nationality isn't eligible for the e-visa or you have specific travel needs that VOA caters to, it remains a viable option.