The majority of foreign nationals traveling to Vietnam require authorization to enter the country. There are different types of visas available for different nationalities and some of these require the individual to pay a Vietnam visa stamping fee upon arrival.

Citizens of many countries are eligible to apply online for a Vietnam eVisa.

Others may choose to queue at the border to get a Vietnamese Visa on Arrival (VoA) after first acquiring an “approval letter”.

There are Vietnam visa fees for all types of travel authorization, but only certain visas have a stamping fee. This guide outlines why the visitor’s passport must be stamped and when the stamp carries a fee.

What Is a Vietnam Visa Stamping Fee?

Most visas for Vietnam come in the form of a stamp in the traveler’s passport. This is true of the traditional visa obtained at an embassy or consulate and for the Vietnam Visa on Arrival. These stamps are proof that the individual has permission to enter the country.

For some types of entry authorization, it is necessary to pay a stamping fee for the Vietnam visa.

This Vietnam visa stamping fee must be paid at the immigration office at border control in either Vietnamese dong (VND/₫) or US dollars (USD/$).

Which Vietnam visas have a stamping fee?

The Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VoA) carries a stamping fee in addition to the visa fee paid when applying online for the approval letter before the trip.

The stamping fee must be paid at the immigration counter at whichever Vietnam border crossing or airport the traveler is using to enter the country, after which the individual will receive their VoA.

The electronic visa (eVisa) for Vietnam is a little different, as it is obtained via an online application and is sent to the traveler by email as a document to be printed and shown on arrival. After this, the passport is stamped free of charge. This allows travelers to avoid paying a fee for the Vietnam visa stamp.

How Does a Vietnam Visa Stamping Fee Work?

Foreign nationals applying for a Vietnamese VoA must pay a fee to have their passport stamped with the visa.

First, the international traveler must obtain a Vietnam approval letter.

Prior to departing for Vietnam, travelers must fill out a form and electronically upload it, along with the visa fee (paid via debit or credit card). The form asks the individual for basic details such as:

Once the form has been received by Vietnamese travel authorities, it typically takes around two business days to be processed. The approval letter is delivered by email to be printed.

From there, travelers will carry a hard copy of the approval form with them to the immigration desk at their port of entry. Remember that visas on arrival require two passport-sized photos to be handed over to immigration authorities.

At this point, the Vietnam visa stamping fee must be paid. The individual’s passport will then be stamped with the VoA.

Once travelers have collected their visa on arrival, they will be redirected to the normal immigration line.

How Much Is a Vietnam Visa Stamping Fee in 2021?

The visa stamping fee for Vietnam depends on which type of tourist visa was acquired, as there are different fees for single and multiple-entry visas, as well as for one, three, six, or 12-month visas.

The visa on arrival stamping fee must be paid in cash as no immigration offices can accept debit or credit cards.

Both USD and VND are accepted for payment of the fee for the Vietnam visa stamp.

Why Should I Pay a Vietnam Visa Stamping Fee?

It is not necessary to pay a stamping fee for a Vietnam visa if the traveler applies online for an electronic visa instead of a VoA.

Individuals from eligible countries can fill out a Vietnam eVisa application to obtain this type of entry authorization. This simple online form takes a matter of minutes to complete. Once approved, the eVisa document is sent to the applicant by email.

Unlike with the VoA/approval letter, there is no visa stamping fee required upon arrival, meaning that the application fee is the only payment that is needed for travelers holding an eVisa. This is one of the major pros of the eVisa over the VoA.

On the other hand, international visitors to Vietnam who apply for a Visa on Arrival must pay the stamping fee to gain entry to the country