Immigration & Visa Procedure in Vietnam Airports 

While most travelers obtain their visa online before departure, certain situations require collecting a visa stamp directly at the airport upon arrival in Vietnam. Other cases include emergency or last-minute travel where the e-visa could not be processed in time, business visa applications requiring a sponsor letter from a Vietnamese company, and group travel arrangements coordinated through a local operator.

In this guide, you will learn the step-by-step procedure for getting a visa on arrival at Vietnam airports and exactly what to do at each major airport to pick up your visa upon landing.

Arriving with all documents ready is the most important step. Missing even one item can result in delays or denial at the counter.

• Pre-approved visa approval letter, printed in hard copy. Digital copies are not accepted
• Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months remaining validity and at least 01 blank page for the visa stamp
• 2 recent passport-sized photos. For full details on accepted photo specifications, refer to Vietnam visa photo requirements guide.
• Completed NA1 Entry/Exit form, available for download in advance or at the airport counter. If you applied through us, it will be sent alongside your approval letter and guide to fill out the NA1 form.
• Stamping fee in cash, USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry. Cards are not accepted at any VOA counter in Vietnam

All designated international airports in Vietnam operate 24/7, so you can collect your visa stamp at any time of day or night regardless of when your flight lands.

Not yet applied for your approval letter? See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival before proceeding.

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Guide to get the Visa at Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) 

All international arrivals are handled at Terminal T2. Upon landing, follow signs for “Nơi cấp thị thực – Visa upon arrival” on Level 2 of the terminal, before the standard immigration gates. Note that the signage can be hard to spot when the terminal is crowded, look for the dedicated counter on the left side as you enter the immigration hall.

Visa issuing point at Noi Bai Airport

1. Submit your approval letter, passport, 2 photos, completed NA1 form, and stamping fee in cash
2. Wait for your name to be called or your passport to be held up, when called, move to the cashier window beside the counter to pay the stamping fee in cash (in USD or VND)
3. Before walking away, check every detail on your visa stamp: name, passport number, entry type, and validity dates. Any error must be flagged immediately while you are still at the window
4. Proceed to the “Foreigners’ Passport Control” counter for the entry stamp
5. Collect your baggage at the designated carousel and clear customs before exiting

Peak hours at Noi Bai run from 8:00–11:00 AM and 4:00–8:00 PM. If your flight lands during these windows, expect 30–60 minutes at the VOA counter alone.

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Guide to get the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)

Vietnam’s busiest airport and the VOA process here involves 2 separate queuing points,first at the visa counter, then again at passport control.

Upon landing, follow signs for “Landing Visa – Cấp thị thực tại chỗ”, the counter is on the left side as you enter the immigration hall.

1. Show your digital pre-arrival QR code to staff if requested before approaching the counter
2. Submit your approval letter, passport, 2 photos, completed NA1 form, and stamping fee in cash, keep everything in one folder for a faster handover
3. The hall at SGN can be extremely noisy during peak periods, stay close to the counter and watch for your passport being held up rather than relying on your name being called
4. When called, proceed to the cashier to pay the stamping fee and collect your stamped passport
5. Double-check all visa details at the window before stepping away
6. Join the passport control queue, present your stamped passport for the entry stamp, then proceed to baggage claim and customs

Visa registration counter at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Standard VOA processing here during peak season can stretch to 1–2 hours across both queuing points. Weekend VOA processing is also available exclusively at SGN. 

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Guide to get the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)

Vietnam’s busiest airport and the VOA process here involves 2 separate queuing points,first at the visa counter, then again at passport control.

Upon landing, follow signs for “Landing Visa – Cấp thị thực tại chỗ”, the counter is on the left side as you enter the immigration hall.

1. Show your digital pre-arrival QR code to staff if requested before approaching the counter
2. Submit your approval letter, passport, 2 photos, completed NA1 form, and stamping fee in cash, keep everything in one folder for a faster handover
3. The hall at SGN can be extremely noisy during peak periods, stay close to the counter and watch for your passport being held up rather than relying on your name being called
4. When called, proceed to the cashier to pay the stamping fee and collect your stamped passport
5. Double-check all visa details at the window before stepping away
6. Join the passport control queue, present your stamped passport for the entry stamp, then proceed to baggage claim and customs

Da Nang peaks during summer (June–August) and around the Danang International Fireworks Festival. Early morning arrivals are almost always the quickest. 

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Guide to get the Cam Ranh, Cat Bi, Lien Khuong, Phu Quoc and Can Tho Airports

Upon landing, follow signage to the Visa on Arrival counter in the international arrivals area. Submit your requirement document, paying and waiting to get visa as other step mentioned above 

*Note: Phu Quoc Airport operates under a special 30-day visa exemption for travelers who remain on the island throughout their stay. If you plan to travel beyond Phu Quoc to other parts of Vietnam, a standard visa must be arranged before departure.

Entrance to the visa issuing area at Cam Ranh Airport.

To make the most of your arrival time, consider use fast track service for priority immigration assistance or a private airport transfer to get to your destination without the hassle of arranging transport on arrival.

Immigration procedure at the airports

After collecting your visa stamp at the VOA counter, proceed to the “Passport Control” lane, do not join the Vietnamese citizens queue. Have your passport open to the visa stamp page and your completed NA1 form ready before reaching the officer.

1. Present your passport and NA1 form to the immigration officer
2. You may be asked to provide your accommodation address or onward travel details.
3. The officer will scan your passport, verify your visa details, and stamp your entry
4. Collect your passport and proceed to baggage claim
5. At customs, follow the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you are carrying items subject to duty
6. Exit the arrivals hall to meet your transport or transfer

Always ensure the entry stamp date in your passport matches your intended arrival date. If anything appears incorrect, raise it with the immigration officer before leaving the counter. Your permitted stay begins from the date of the entry stamp, not the visa issue date.

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Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration (New 2026)

As of April 2026, travelers arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City must complete a mandatory digital pre-arrival declaration before boarding. Submit it at prearrival.immigration.gov.vn within 72 hours before departure. It generates a QR code used to speed up immigration processing and is separate from your visa approval letter and NA1 form.

If you apply for your visa through SimpleVietnamVisa, we will complete the digital pre-arrival declaration on your behalf at no additional charge.

For any questions or last-minute assistance, our team is available 24/7 via Phone/WhatsApp (+84) 856 598 868 or info@simplevietnamvisa.com.

Frequently Asked Questions