First time users’ concerns of Vietnam Visa on arrival service

Posted on May 17, 2011 by admin

Many people feel confused about Vietnam Visa on arrival procedures, Prices and Fees, Vietnam Visa approval letter, Validity, Scams, etc. We are writing this article in the hope of helping travelers all around the world coming to Vietnam not to be concerned about Visa on arrival in Vietnam any more.

vietnam visa stamp First time users’ concerns of Vietnam Visa on arrival service

1. Who can apply for Vietnam Visa on arrival?

a. Those traveling by air to Vietnam

b. Anyone

c. Visa on arrival does not exit in Vietnam

d. Those transiting in Vietnam

e. Those traveling overland to Vietnam

The answer: a. Those traveling by air to Vietnam

2. When I apply for VOA to Vietnam, besides traveling by air to Vietnam, do I need any other requirements?

Yes, you have. You need to have at least 6 months valid and left pages (more than 1) on your passport.

Also, check whether you need a Vietnam visa or not as some nationalities can be exempted visa for a short time. See the lists of Vietnam visa exemption.

3. Is there any risk of getting visa on arrival to Vietnam? Is Vietnam visa approval letter valid?

You can check on National Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 related to entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam to see:

- Who is responsible for what in term of Vietnam visa issuance: Vietnam Immigration Department (belongs to the Ministry of Public Security)

- And who and how and how long can get a visa to entry Vietnam

- Of the 26 articles, the following ones might help you – potential Vietnam visa applicants know why a travel agency can assist you to get Vietnam visa approval letter.

4. Now, let’s see what Vietnam Visa approval letter is

It is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department for the purpose of permitting the document holders to enter Vietnam, get the visa stamped onto your passport at Vietnam International Airports, and stay in Vietnam within the entry and exit date cited on it. See example of this document below:

5. How about fees and Charges of VOA?

Some often misunderstand about fees of Vietnam visa on arrival or some thinks they are double-charged when using this service. Clarify it as bellows:

To get Vietnam visa on arrival, you need to pay two types of fees:

- Service fee: You pay travel agents online (ranging from 15 – 50 USD)

- Stamping fee: It is the fee you pay to Immigration Officers at Vietnam airports to get your visa stamped on your passport. 25 USD for single entry and 50 USD for multiple entry visas. The travel agents make no deal with this fee.

6. How do I fill out entry and exit dates in the Visa application when I do not make sure exactly about these dates?

If you are not sure about your arrival date and exit date, you can note your proposed arrival and exit date. You can stay in Vietnam within your visa duration (for three month visa, you can stay in Vietnam for 90 days). Also you do not forget, you are not allowed to enter Vietnam before your arrival date noted in your visa.

7. One notable thing for first time user of VOA is that you should have visa approval letter before you get on flight as your airlines will check it in check-in procedures as a compulsory document. Some have been refused to get on board for not having the letter.

Moreover, you can read more about FAQ on Visa on arrival to Vietnam on Trip Advisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293921-c148049/Vietnam:Faq.Visa.On.Arrival.Voa..html

We do hope that you will have an unforgettable trip to Vietnam and no worries about Vietnam visa!

Vietnam-Visa.com

P/S: Special for those deciding using our Vietnam visa service, we have 3 extra services: Airport fast-track service, Car pick-up service and Visa extension. Check out soon!

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ASEAN countries vow to introduce new visa system for citizens from foreign states

Posted on May 9, 2011 by admin

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries vowed to introduce one visa regime for citizens from countries outside ASEAN by 2015.

asean visa ASEAN countries vow to introduce new visa system for citizens from foreign states

“It will however take special effort to be able to issue an ASEAN visa because visa regime in each country is different,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was quoted by the ANTARA Indonesian news agency.

The announcement was made during the ongoing 18th ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The new visa system will allow a citizen from a country outside ASEAN come to all ASEAN member countries with one visa, the same way it works with a Schengen visa in the European Union.

Source: Rian

When waiting for the ASEAN regime takes effect, citizens of other countries in ASEAN can apply for Vietnam visa on arrival at http://www.vietnam-visa.com. Check out the Vietnam visa cost for ASEAN citizens here http://www.vietnam-visa.com/pricing.html.

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Vietnam-Visa.com announce new Vietnam visa support channels

Posted on May 7, 2011 by admin

Amongst a number of things to prepare for your trip to Vietnam, getting Vietnam visa is not the most significant but the very first task to be completed as efficiently as possible.

logo Vietnam Visa.com announce new Vietnam visa support channels

VNB Travel is operated to promote the image of Vietnam to international friends through offering a free consultancy service related to traveling in Vietnam and facilitating potential tourists worldwide with procedures of Vietnam entry and exit and traveling related arrangement during their stay in Vietnam.

As locals, VNB Travel has a great command of the Vietnam culture, legal system and regulations related to Vietnam Visa. And pursuant to the National Ordinance 24/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 on entry, exit and transit of foreigners in Vietnam issued by Standing Committee of National Assembly, VNB Travel set up www.vietnam-visa.com to assist the Vietnam visa applicants at the most convenient but cheapest way with SMART service that meets the criteria of Simple andSecure, Mannerly, Achievable, Reliable, and Timely. Since 2008, www.vietnam-visa.com is proud of having assisted as many as 35,000 travel and business tourists to Vietnam.

With the aim of bring the best Vietnam visa service to travellers, VNB Travel has developed two new support channels at Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/vietnamvisaservice)  and Twitter (http://twitter.com/vietnamvisa). Instead of writing email and making phone calls which are sometimes costly and/or unconvenient, you can simply send us a tweet or write on our wall. Your questions will be answer within the same working day by our enthusiastic supporters. Besides asking questions, you are also welcome to leave us comments, suggestions, concerns.

Visit us at http://www.vietnam-visa.com

http://www.facebook.com/vietnamvisaservice

http://twitter.com/vietnamvisa

We do hope to assist you whenever you visit Vietnam!

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Your Vietnam visa can be done within 1 working day by Vietnam-Visa.com

Posted on May 6, 2011 by admin

vietnamvisa Your Vietnam visa can be done within 1 working day by Vietnam Visa.com

Visa is the very first thing that travelers concern when traveling. Nomarly, visa must be got prior to arrival. Those who want to get visa need to apply for one at the nearest embassy or conslate of the country they want to visit. This is the most popular way but time-consuming and easy to fail as embassy/consulate has to verify many procedures. To meed the increasing demand of foreign tourists to Vietnam, VNB Travel launched Vietnam visa service in 2008. Since then, our service has processed as much as 35,000 visas annually. In comparison with getting Vietnam visa at embassy/consulate, our service has many advantages:

- - No passport required

- - No fail (except some cases)

- - Fast and efficient

- - Reliable and easy

- - Inexpensive

- - Get Vietnam visa approval letter at Vietnam ariports

Especially, our visa can be done within 1 working day by using urgent service. Besides, our fast track service can save your time. You will have staff that will escort you to the Immigration Counter and complete entry procedure. By using this service, it only takes you 10 minutes.

To apply for a Vietnam visa at our website http://www.vietnam-visa.com, simply follow these steps:

STEP 1: Fill in your personal informationin in the application form

STEP 2: Confirm and pay

STEP 3: Get your visa approval letter at Vietnam airports

STEP 4: Get the stamp for your visa

Our service:

1. Vietnam visa on arrival

2. Fast track service

3. Car pick-up

4. Vietnam visa extension

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Stunning Pa Co

Posted on April 26, 2011 by admin

Pa Co, some 40 km from Mai Chau, in the northern province of Hoa Binh, has a wild beauty with lovely landscapes.

In early mornings, the hilly road to Pa Co is shrouded in mist. Cloud, mountain and stream make for a relaxing environment and a respite to noisy urban life.

The area is inhabited by the Mong ethnic minority, who preserve their traditions and ways of life. The entire commune has only 2,522 people, and is divided into eight villages.

The women often wear colourful garments which might be considered works of art in themselves, complementing the natural environment.

Photos of Pa Co:

Stunning scenery in Gio Slope

May Pass

Road to the commune

Road to the commune

Sunrise in Pa Co

Sunrise in Pa Co

Waiting for mother

Women go about their daily routines

Women go about their daily routines

Women go about their daily routines

Young people learn old ways

Bright-faced children

Children helping their parents

Source: DTI

Tip: If you want to take a trip to Mai Chau and Pa Co, book any hotel in Hanoi then a tour as Mai Chau is 130 kilometers from Hanoi.

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Vietnam and Qatar soon sign visa exemption agreement

Posted on April 21, 2011 by admin

The Vietnamese government always wishes to promote cooperative relations with Qatar to bring practical benefits for the two countries.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed in Hanoi on April 19 during his meeting with Qatar Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Jaber Abdullah Al-Sulaiti.

Vietnam and Qatar soon sign visa exemption agreement
He said he hopes that Ambassador will make an active contribution to promoting the friendship between Vietnam and Qatar during his working term in Vietnam.

PM Dung insisted on promoting cooperative relations between the two nations, especially in the field of trade, saying that it was necessary for both countries to soon sign an agreement on visa exemption to foster bilateral cooperation in the fields of banking, oil and gas, energy and labour export.

For his part, the ambassador expressed his wish that Vietnam would create favourable conditions for effectively implementing the trade agreements between the two countries in the near future.

Source: VOV

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Ethnic minority youth festival to open in Hanoi

Posted on April 14, 2011 by admin

An ethnic minority youth festival, the first of its kind in Vietnam, will take place at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Hanoi on April 17.

The festival, themed “Vietnamese youth in the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values”, is part of activities to celebrate Vietnam Ethnic Minority Cultural Day (April 19) and the Year of Youth 2011, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan on April 9.

The event will feature a wide range of activities, including incense offering to commemorate fallen soldiers, a ceremony to review young people’s achievements, a seminar on young people’s performance in preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values during the integration process, a youth camp, folk games and artistic programs.

There will also be a meeting to mark Vietnam Ethnic Minority Cultural Day and honor outstanding individuals in the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural identities.

The event is jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, the National Assembly’s Committees for Ethnic Affairs; and Culture, Education, Youth and Children.

Source: VNA

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Vietnam permanent residence card

Posted on April 8, 2011 by admin

A permanent residence card is the solution for people who wish to regularly visit to stay in Vietnam for a longer period. It is perfect for people that wish to retire in Vietnam and for other people who want to stay in Vietnam without a work permit.

welcome to Vietnam Vietnam permanent residence card

At point c, item 1, article 13 Ordinance on immigration, migration, residence of foreigners in Vietnam dated 28th April 2000, foreigners who are temporarily residing in Vietnam in one of following cases are considered and approved of permanent residence:

Wife, husband, child, father, mother of Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam

Permanent Residence Card has unlimited validity, every 3 years, the card holder will have to update their Permanent Residence card. The card holder also can use this card as an unlimited visa to come to Vietnam.

Apply for new permanent residence card:

Required documents:

  1. 02 application forms for permanent residence (Form N7, attached with 04 passport photos 3 cm x 4cm).
  2. 02 curriculum vitae statements of the applicant (Form N10)
  3. 02 judicial record copies approved by competent public authority of the country where such person is a citizen or of the country where such person permanently resides.
  4. Diplomatic note of competent public authority of the country where such person is a citizen requesting for approval of such person’s permanent residence in Vietnam (Attached with a transfer note of Vietnamese diplomatic agency).
  5. 02 copies of passport.
  6. 02 copies of Vietnam visa or temporary alien card valid at the time of submitting documents, 02 copies of immigration declaration.
  7. 02 copies of documents to prove being wife, husband, child, father, mother of Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam.
  8. 02 guarantee letters for foreigners temporarily residing in Vietnam (Form N9) confirmed by People’s Committee of ward, commune, attached with 02 copies of Identity card, family record of the guarantor. The guarantor and the guarantee must show documents to prove having legal houses or legal financial sources to ensure having house and life for the guarantee.

Above documents (except for application for permanent residence, diplomatic note, passport, visa) must be translated into Vietnamese and certified or legalized as regulated.

Where to apply for Permanent Residence card: The Immigration Department of the city where the foreigner lives.

Returning result: Within 6 months, Immigration Department must consider and confirm whether they accept to issue the Permanent Residence card or any changes/ additional documents required. After confirmation, the Immigration Department will have to issue the Permanent Residence card within 5 working days.

Renew, change, update permanent residence card:

Every 03 years, Permanent Residence Card holder must bring their card to present at Immigration Department of the province, city directly under the Central Government, when presenting he/she must show permanent Residence card and submit photos to change for new card.

In case he/she wishes to change the contents of the permanent residence card, the residence card holder must submit the application to Immigration Department of the resident place. The procedures are as follows:

  1. 01 statement request for changing permanent residence card (Form N8, attached to 02 3×4cm photos) confirmed by local public security of the residence place.
  2. 01 copy of passport (bring original to compare)
  3. 01 original old permanent residence card.

Period of returning result: 05 business days since the date Immigration Department received valid documents.

Note: In case of reissue due to loss, the procedures are the same as change Permanent Residence card and submission of 01 statement of the reason for loss.

Period of returning results is within 14 business days.

Source: Expat

 

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Hung Kings’ worship seeks UNESCO title

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

Vietnam has submitted documents on the worship rituals dedicated to Hung Kings in the midland province of Phu Tho to the UNESCO to seek its Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity recognition.

The worship rituals dedicated to Hung Kings, the nation’s legendary founders, have existed through thousands of years, deeply taking root in the Vietnamese people’s mind and the annual festival to commemorate the Hung Kings, which falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month, was recognised as a national event in 2007.

Nguyen Tien Khoi, Director of the Hung Kings’ Temple Relic Complex said that “Hung Kings worship rituals” is part of the Vietnamese people’s culture of worshiping ancestors. Throughout history, Hung Kings’ worship rituals have always been the source of the national culture’s internal power, contributing to fostering national pride, solidarity and patriotism of the Vietnamese people.

The Hung Kings worship rituals represent not only the belief in the protecting saints in the spiritual cultural life of the Vietnamese people but also the nation’s ethic of gratitude to the predecessors, Khoi said.

He noted that there are over 1,400 places of worship dedicated to the Hung Kings across the country and numerous festivals are held every year, every where to commemorate the nation’s founders. The festival at the Hung Kings’Temple in Phu Tho province is the main and official event dedicated to the Kings.

This year’s festival will be held from April 7-12 with a wide range of cultural activities, taking place in Viet Tri city to the Hung Kings’ Temple and surrounding areas.

The festival will draw participation of several provinces nationwide, including Tuyen Quang, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Quang Ngai and Dong Thap province, which represent the three regions of the country.

Some 5-6 million visitors will make the pilgrimage to Phu Tho to offer their respect.

Source: VN+

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Some important notes when traveling to Sapa

Posted on March 24, 2011 by admin

 

A village in Sapa

For many people, one of the highlights of traveling in Sapa is the experience of visiting minority villages. If possible, it’s recommended to visit the minority villages as a part of a small group, ideally four people or less, as this causes least disruption and allows for greater communication. Most villagers are genuinely welcoming and hospitable to foreigners, appreciating contact with Westerners and the material benefits which they bring.
Behavior that we take for granted may cause offence to some Ethnic minority people; remember you are a guest. Apart from being sensitive to the situation and keeping an open mind, the following simple rules should be observed when visiting the ethnic minority areas.
- Dress modestly, in long trousers or skirt and T-shirt or shirt.
- Be sensitive to people’s wishes when taking photographs, particularly of older people who are suspicious of camera; always ask permission first.
- Only go inside a house when invited and remove your shoes before entering.
- Small gifts, such as fresh fruit from the local market, are always welcome. However, there is a view that even this can foster begging, and that you should only ever give in return for some service or as a sign of appreciation for hospitality. A compromise is to buy craftwork produced by the villagers-most communities should have some embroidery, textiles or basketry for sale.
- As a mark of respect, learn the local term of address, either in dialect or at least in Vietnamese, such as chao ong, chao ba.
- Try to minimize your impact on the often fragile local environment; take litter back to the towns and be sensitive to the use of wood and other scarce resources.
- Growing and using opium is illegal in Vietnam and is punished with a fine or prison sentence; do not encourage its production by buying or smoking opium.

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