Tourist visa procedure

Hi,
We will be arriving in Hanoi from Laos towards the end of November for a three day stay. I have checked the embassy website, and it seems we can get a visa on arrival, but that we seem to have to apply to the embassy beforehand. It all seems very vague, so can anybody tell me what exactly we need. We are both Irish citizens.
Thanks in advance

If you are only going for three days it seems that you can get a 15day exemption when you arrive in Hanoi. There is no need to apply before you arrive

No, no. OP says they are all Irish. The 15 day visa waiver program does NOT apply to the Irish, UK, French, Spanish, German, and Italians YES, Irish NO.

Oops, I forgot to answer the OP's question.
They can apply online directly to Vietnamese immigration for a 30 day evisa. https://evisa.immigration.gov.vn without paying an online processing fee. Ireland IS on the list of 40 countries that are allowed this option.

hi guys, im not up to date on what reply #1 says, it may be true i dont know. you can either apply and fill out an online application for a visa and then have the print out confirmation with you when you arive in Hanoi or if have you not left Ireland for your trip yet and have a few weeks before departure you can apply through the vietnam consulate, though i think your application may go to London and can take time. so online is probably your best bet.

No, no again. Well, you CAN do as ger_power suggests but it will take a long time AND cost double or triple the cost of an online visa.
Applying online at the link in #3 above cost $25USD for the stamping fee, no online service fee.
OP is only staying 3 days so I'm guessing the cheapest option would be best.
Go here for ALL the visa information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam
UNLESS your nationality is on the list that gets a Visa Waiver of some kind you can NOT just turn up and get a visa at the airport or land crossings. You either need a visa in your passport, an evisa, or a pre-approved visa letter to even get on a plane going to Vietnam

Thanks everyone for your help, especially cmburns. I've taken your advice and applied through that site, and seem to have succeeded! I'll know for sure in a few days.

Thank you!

Your welcome, it's always nice when people take the time to come back and say thanks.
I haven't used the Immigration site yet because I often need a longer or multi-entry visa. So, let us know how it all works out for you.

Will do! Won't be back till early Dec, so will post then.

Excuse me for jumping in, but this seems relevant to me also. I'm wanting to go to Vietnam the end of this month, traveling from Cambodia and hopefully crossing to Ha Tien. I've just been to the embassy here in Phnom Penh and was told I do not need a preapproved letter to gain entry. For $40 I can get the visa there. This contradicts everything I have read so far. (Thai embassy deja vu...). Can someone please confirm? I have a British passport and would like a one month single entry visa.

@benja_smith When you want to ask a new question, you should start a new thread.

True-turn-up-and-pay-visa-on-arrival for Vietnam. Never heard of that working anywhere, nor any news or any plan or suggestion or rumour that such a thing in on the horizon.

A pre-approved letter isn't going to work at the Ha Tien crossing either.

If you want to cross at Ha Tien, you need to get a visa (NOT a letter) or E-Visa.

You can ask a travel agent in PP to get your visa for you. Or get an E-Visa here https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

weallwanttobehappy Is exactly right. Get a visa from the Embassy in PP or the Consulate in Sihanoukville. Or, follow the link for the E-visa, just be sure to check that your entry/exit points are approved for E-visas!

Ha Tien is on the list.

These guys have produced an E-Visa Map

Disclaimer: It's not mine and I haven't check it. But I know that Ha Tien IS on the list.

Thank you so much for the info. I appreciate the assistance. I notice my projected exit crossing is not on the list. If I obtain the visa from the embassy does that mean I can use other crossing points?

Yes. If you gave a visa in your passport you can enter or exit at any official border point open to foreigners.

Fantastic. Thanks again weallwanttonehappy. A relief to be well informed!

You can get a visa on arrival ONLY if you arrive in Vietnam by air, NOT by land

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