Dreaming of sipping coconut juice on a Vietnamese beach in ? Great. But before you board that flight from Sydney or Melbourne, there’s one essential step to check off: your …
With countless outdated articles and conflicting information spread across the internet, many travellers still wonder: Is Vietnam Visa on Arrival still available in 2026? The mixed messages can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the truth is straightforward: Vietnam continues to offer Visa on Arrival in 2026 — but only if travellers obtain an official Approval Letter before boarding their flight. Without the pre-approval, airlines cannot check you in, and immigration officers cannot issue your visa on arrival.
Vietnam’s Visa on Arrival has long been a convenient option for visitors entering through major airports such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. In earlier years, the system operated almost entirely on arrival—travellers simply showed up at the VOA counter and completed the process. This simplicity contributed to its enduring popularity.
Over time, however, Vietnam refined its procedures to improve border security, reduce airport congestion, and eliminate fraudulent submissions. As a result, VOA now requires one essential step before travel: obtaining an Approval Letter issued through a licensed channel.
This document confirms that the traveller’s information has been pre-screened and approved by Vietnamese immigration authorities. Once your details are stored in the system, the airport VOA counter can issue your physical visa quickly and seamlessly. Without being in the system, the visa cannot be granted on arrival.
So yes—VOA is still operating, but only as a two-stage process: first online pre-approval, then visa issuance at the airport.
Despite the ongoing confusion online, Vietnam’s VOA program remains active in 2026. What has changed is the strict enforcement of the Approval Letter requirement. Airlines will verify this document at check-in, and travellers who cannot present it will be denied boarding.
Once travellers receive the Approval Letter, they must print it and bring it on the trip. Upon arrival at a Vietnamese international airport, they present the letter along with passport photos, a completed entry form, and the stamping fee. Immigration officers then confirm the pre-approved information and issue the visa on the spot.
As long as the traveller’s passport is valid for at least six months beyond arrival, and documents are prepared correctly, the process is generally smooth and quick.
Much of the confusion stems from outdated online content. Many travel articles describing the “old-style VOA” were published years ago and fail to mention the modern pre-approval requirement. These pieces continue to rank highly in search results, misleading readers into thinking VOA is no longer available.
Travel forums and social media posts further complicate matters. These platforms often surface older user experiences that do not reflect current regulations. Without timestamps or context, travellers may assume the information is still valid.
Additionally, some unofficial or fraudulent visa websites circulate incorrect claims, including the idea that travellers can receive VOA without an Approval Letter. These misleading sources frequently cause travellers to be denied boarding, leading to unnecessary financial loss and travel disruption.
The consequences of failing to secure an Approval Letter are immediate and absolute: you cannot fly. Airlines must verify every traveller’s pre-approval before issuing a boarding pass. Without it, boarding is legally impossible.
Even if someone were hypothetically allowed to fly—an extremely unlikely scenario—the immigration officers in Vietnam would still be unable to issue a VOA, because the traveller would not exist in the pre-approved database.
This mistake can lead to significant financial loss, including non-refundable flights, hotel reservations, transfers, and pre-booked tours. Documentation issues are almost never covered by insurance. The emotional stress alone is enough reason to ensure proper preparation.
In short, the Approval Letter is not optional—it is the key that unlocks the VOA process.
Applying for the Approval Letter is simple, and the most reliable way to do so is through VietnamImmigration.com, an established platform specializing in Vietnam visa processing. Instead of navigating confusing government forms or risking outdated third-party information, travellers can complete a streamlined application directly on the website.
The application requires basic personal information, passport details, intended arrival date, and the specific Vietnamese airport you will fly into. VietnamImmigration.com reviews the submission for accuracy before forwarding it for approval—reducing the risk of rejection due to spelling errors or mismatched passport details.
Once approved, the traveller receives the official Approval Letter via email, usually as a PDF format. It should be printed and carried throughout the journey. This ensures smooth verification at check-in and easy processing at the VOA counter upon arrival.
By applying through a trusted service like VietnamImmigration.com, travellers eliminate uncertainty and ensure their documentation fully meets Vietnam’s current entry requirements.
Because so much online information is outdated or misleading, professional assistance offers substantial benefits. VietnamImmigration.com stays current with immigration regulations, ensuring that travellers receive valid, compliant, and correctly formatted documentation at all times.
One of the biggest advantages is the reduction of human error. Incorrect spellings, passport number mistakes, or outdated forms can invalidate an application—mistakes that are commonly made when applying alone. The service thoroughly checks each submission before processing, helping travellers avoid costly or embarrassing errors.
For urgent trips, the platform also offers expedited approval, issuing Approval Letters within hours when needed. This level of responsiveness makes it an ideal option for travellers operating on tight schedules.
Overall, professional assistance brings confidence, accuracy, and peace of mind—qualities that matter greatly when it comes to international travel.
Travellers with a valid Approval Letter can expect a smooth and predictable VOA experience. After landing, they must head to the VOA counter before entering the main immigration queue.
There, travellers will submit the printed Approval Letter, passport photos, the completed entry form, and the stamping fee. Immigration officers then cross-check the traveller’s information in the system, prepare the visa sticker, and affix it to the passport.
Although processing time varies depending on arrival traffic, having complete documents significantly shortens the experience. Once the visa is attached, travellers proceed to passport control to officially enter Vietnam.
With correct preparation, the entire process is efficient and stress-free.
In summary, Vietnam’s Visa on Arrival remains fully available in 2026, but travellers must secure an Approval Letter prior to departure to be eligible for boarding and visa issuance at the airport. When using a trusted platform like VietnamImmigration.com, travellers gain accurate documentation, professional support, and a smoother arrival experience—ensuring that VOA continues to be one of the most convenient entry methods for visiting Vietnam.
Dreaming of sipping coconut juice on a Vietnamese beach in ? Great. But before you board that flight from Sydney or Melbourne, there’s one essential step to check off: your …
