Apply for Chinese Visa in Hanoi

Update on applying for Chinese tourist visa in person:
I arrived at the Embassy on a Monday after 8 and there was a long queue so most of us waiting hasn't made it inside. Next day I arrived at 5:30 and there were already people waiting. At 6:00 they open the official queue at the Embassy walls so just before 6 people waiting just across the street will start running like madmen to save a good place for themselves in the official queue. I was lucky ending up among the first 10, but many haven't, so put on sneakers and be prepared to run and fight for your spot. To make it as efficient as possible, arrive at the Embassy at 5:30 (especially if you are applying on Mondays or Tuesdays) and be prepared for long waiting. Sneakers, food, books and even an umbrella for the hot seasons are advisable.

At 8:30 when the Embassy opens, the guards will start collecting Passports/IDs. If they don't collect yours, it is just because you are foreigners, but when your turn comes insist on going inside.

Inside you will be checked by police and get a number for one of the windows and wait.

**Here's a list of documents you will need (they all have been asked for by the staff):

2 passport-sized photos (the background MUST be white!! - if not they will not accept your application)
Passport
Passport-Copy of first page
Copy of your Vietnamese visa
Visa application form (http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/fd/W020130830801798289342.pdf) - I suggest you fill it out as thoroughly as you can, including the itinerary part
Bank statement proving that your funds for traveling in China are sufficient (it should be at least $100/day on your account)
Insurance policy (I just printed out my insurance certificate that I have for my whole more than a year long trip)
Flights in and out (Just a confirmation from your travel agency. Make sure your name is on them.) - you can get creative.
Hotel bookings (booking.com reservations were sufficient. Make sure your name is on them.) - print out all the pages.**

There are many photocopy shops especially around the Railroad through the city (1 page is normally 1000 Dong, but I have also found for 500).
If everything is OK, you will get a slip with the day and time you should come back to get your passport. For me it was Friday 3pm, so after 3 working days. Even when picking up your passport you still need to take a number and wait for your turn, but it is a question of 20-30 minutes.
At this point you still may get refused and I have seen people not getting their visa for no apparent reason. Of course they don't tell you why you were refused. The lady at the counter will tell you she doesn't know if her boss will accept your application.

I applied for double entry visa and submitted an approx. 45 days itinerary and I got 2 entries, 40 days each. More than I asked for.
Single entry is $30 and double entry $45. You pay in $ at the counter. No need to go to a bank.

Good luck!

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