Wait time for Vietnam visa on arrival: How long does it actually takes?
The wait time at Vietnam airport for visa on arrival depends largely on the numbers of arrivals and time of arrival. Some airports are very busy during peak hours, some are less busy, lets take a look on our wait time comparison chart below.
How long does it take?
The processing time for a visa on arrival at a Vietnamese airport depends on various factors such as the time of day, the number of travelers, and the efficiency of the visa processing service at the airport. However, typically it takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours to receive the visa stamp at the airport.
It is recommended to arrive at the airport with sufficient time to complete the visa process, especially during busy periods such as holidays or weekends. It is also important to bring all the necessary documents, including the approved visa pre-approval letter, a passport with a minimum of 6 months validity, and 2 passport-sized photos.
Travelers should also be aware that the visa on arrival process can sometimes experience delays or disruptions due to technical issues, staffing shortages, or other unforeseen circumstances. It is always a good idea to check the latest information on visa processing times and to plan ahead to ensure a smooth and hassle-free arrival in Vietnam.
| Airport (BusiScore) | Wait time (Average) | Peak hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh city SGN (BusiScore: 10/10) | 30-45 minutes | 10:00 am to 02:00 pm (Busiest day: Friday) |
| Hanoi HAN (BusiScore: 8/10) | 20-30 minutes | 09:00 am to 03:00 pm (Friday usually sees the highest number of arrivals) |
| Da Nang DAD (BusiScore: 6/10) | Often less than 20 minutes | 11:00 am to 01:00 pm (Saturday is the busiest day) |
| Nha Trang NHA (BusiScore: 5/10) | Often less than 20 minutes | 08:00 am to 10:00 am (Busiest day: Thursday) |
| Hai Phong HPH (BusiScore: 4/10) | Often less than 20 minutes | 03:00 pm to 05:00 pm (Busiest day: Monday) |
Notes: This is an average wait time for non-holiday as it will be much busier during New Year, Christmas and Lunar New Year Holiday.
Our tips
- Prepare all documents before you go including photos, stamping fee in cash and the entry/exit form
- Prepare the stamping fee in exact amount in USD or VND to save your time on money exchange
- If you travel with children or seniors, please ask the immigration officers or other travelers for priority
Questions and Answers (02)
We will be traveling to Vietnam this month. Do you know how long it would take to get our visa if we do it at the airport?
Hello, the visa clearance procedure at Vietnam airports usually takes between 15-30 minutes. However, as it is peak season until May, you might experience some delays, especially if there are large groups of arrivals at the same time.
My family & I will be visiting Vietnam in August & I’m very interested in applying for our visas through your site, but I have a couple of questions. We are traveling with Gate1 travel company & I'm not sure how much time we will get upon our arrival because they send a representative to meet us. How long approximately does it take, once we land, to actually get our stamp & is the location convenient to where we might be picking up our luggage?
The wait time at Vietnam airport will depend on the number of people arriving at the same time, so we can not say 100% sure exactly how much time it will take, especially, Ho Chi Minh city is the busiest airport in Vietnam. However, as August is not a peak season , the estimated wait time is about 15-30 minutes.
Therefore, If your tour operator arranges the meet and greet service, you can tell them to add about 30 minutes to their schedule.
Frequently asked questions
1. Should I use "fast-track" service to skip the queue?
We recommend that you not to go with fast-track services unless you are in an emergency situation, as prioritizing your application may cause delays for others.
Contact sales if you have additional questions.
Contact support if you already submitted your visa application on our website.
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