Hi,
I'll have a trip in Vietnam on next August.
I know that something has been changed on VISA.
Could someone help me on this issue? I stay there for 20 days, I would like to know if I neen an invitation letter, if I need to have the VISA before arriving in Vietnam or if I can have a VISA on arrival, like I did last year in Cambodia.
I have an Italian passport.
thank you for your help
Luca
Until 30th June, Italian passport holder is free to get Visa to Vietnam within 15 days. Not use if they extend after that time. If you come to Vietnam for 20 days so better to apply VOA letter online before arriving Vietnam, then pay stamp fee at airport about 25 USD for single entry, many sites offer VOA letter with price from 9 - 12 USD.
Humm, maybe I can make it a little clearer.
1) Since you plan to travel in August 2017 and stay 20 days the "15 day visa waiver" program is NOT an option.
A) The program expires 30 June 2017. It MAY be extended, but you can't plan on it.
B) You can only stay 15 days, or less, under the visa waiver program.
2) You can get a pre-approved (called VOA) visa online see www.vietnamvisapro.net $6USD online fee plus $25USD "stamping fee" paid on arrival.
A) But, you MUST arrive in Vietnam by AIR you may NOT enter OVERLAND.
B) There is now also a government online visa option that has no online fee.
C) You have lots of time so you could mail your passport to the nearest Vietnam Embassy and apply for your visa by post.
Wait and see what happens on June 30 th. Someone will report it here. If you are travelling overland it is easy to pick up a Vietnamese visa in Bangkok, Vientiane, LP, or PP and Sihanoukville, if necessary. If entering Vietnam by air, then follow cmbuurns advice above.
Even if after June 30 that visa exemption policy is extended, it still doesn't work for you because your trip lasts 20days. VOA is cheap, convenient and fast but only works if you fly into VN
It is true that, even if the visa exemption is extended for another year for a stay of 15 days max, you cannot use it because you stay more than 15 days. So it is indeed the VOA with prior letter of invitation
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